39 replies to this topic

[icedaddyuk]

Spoke to Minispares yesterday and it seems I should definitely be running the 1.5" wide shoes on the front as it's a '77.

So the narrow shoes will be going back on the rear tonight and i'll be back looking into why the 1.5" shoes bind on the front.

Any more ideas appreciated!

[b_sdaddy]

Having the exact same problem with my '78!

 

Failed MOT as left to right difference was 30% - knew it would, but went anyway to see what other things might crop up...

 

Nothing, just brakes. Knew it'd fail on these as I have a leaking wheel cylinder - which has been replaced, and now the RH side works as well, were previously nothing at all!!!

 

 

So then, as RH side not been used for a while, there is a noticeable difference between wear, so thought to order a set of 1.5" front shoes.

 

 

Arrived yesterday, along with new set of springs. 10 minutes to whip the old ones off, and after three attempts and a lot of swearing, gave up!

 

Can get the drums on about half way, and they still spin, but not freely. IF I get them on fully, the drum is tight, so tight that it won't move. Have stripped and re-tried three times and the adjusters have been wound around more times than I care to mention, just to try and squeeze the last available thou. out of the adjustment.

 

 

When I get the drum off, with some effort, the leading edge of both shoes has a 3cm wide dark friction mark where the drum has scraped.

 

 

was this ever resolved.? Am I missing something.? I'm by far an expert, but did manage to do my own head gasket 6 months ago, so it gives you an idea that I'm far from a complete novice.

 

 

Return MOT in 5 days - any advice appreciated,

 

 

cheers

[carbon]

It's a while since I have worked on front drum brakes.

 

The return springs are meant to be fitted between the brake shoes and the rear plate.

 

Is this how you have installed them?

[b_sdaddy]

Will attempt for a second time later today & once up on stands & drum removed will take loads of photos. Also suspect that the mintex shoes are ever-so different to the existing ones, which sadly have no identifyable markings.

 

I know everyone on here loves photos sp will get snapping later,

 

 

cheers for the reply!

[Blatherskite]

Will attempt for a second time later today & once up on stands & drum removed will take loads of photos. Also suspect that the mintex shoes are ever-so different to the existing ones, which sadly have no identifyable markings.
 
I know everyone on here loves photos sp will get snapping later,
 
 
cheers for the reply!

Had the same issue with our 1-tonne Series 3 Landy. The solution was to:
1. Back off the adjusters as far as possible. Refit the shoes. Still binding?
2. If yes, then grind a tiny bit off the tongue of the shoe that sits in the back of the wheel cylinder - and by tiny, I mean about a mm or less. Refit shoes, retry drum fitting.
Does it fit ok now? If yes, job done, if no then back to line 1 above.

Suddenly Landy stops like hitting a brick wall!

[b_sdaddy]

Cheers as always, but with the aid of a broom handle, located the problem:

 

standing by the drivers door with the brush end of a broom in my hand, depressed the middle pedal and with the drum off, saw exactly what the issue is!

 

The lower of the two shoes didn't move. Siezed cylinder.

 

Luckilly have a set and whipped them off. now back to the broom handle and both shoes move freely....

 

With a siezed piston, even with the adjuster fully 'open', it was preventing new shoes being fitted.

 

Now new shoes and it stops. Off to friendly garage tomorrow to use their rolling road - hopefully within the 25% difference L to R allowed. Obviously the siezed piston/cylinder was to blame.

 

 

Thanks again.

[b_sdaddy]

Help!

 

Just took it for a quick test run, and with hands loosely holding the steering wheel, hit the brakes and screech! it stops and in a straight line - so the L to R issue is solved.

 

Brakes a bit spongy so have just got my wife to help bleed:

 

single circuit so addressed in correct order & both fronts bled beautifully with golden fluid running as it should through the bleed pipe.

 

The LHR exactly the same: bled beautifully.

 

 

The RHR though didn't go to plan: Just bled a very small trickle when pedal depressed. After 10 or so pushes on the pedal, still just a very small amount coming through.

 

 

Do I just keep pumping or is there something more to this.? Wife reluctant to sit in mini for half and hour pushing the brake pedal!!!

 

 

cheers as always.

[ChopperHarris]

take the nipple out and see if its partially blocked...happens.
Plan B....Divorce

[b_sdaddy]

Dig deep enough, and you'll find it!

 

 

Upon very hard pumping by wife, bleed nipple effectively redundant:

 

old, perished rear brake hose (GBH250) seeping. Further inspection shows it to be a longstanding issue with evidence of dripping onto arm (damp patches). Rear brakes being as they are, never noticed the inefficiency.

 

Ordered set of 2 for next week.

 

Not that much loss of fluid in resevoir though.? (Perhaps because I never really break that hard)

 

 

Did also see the rear arms covered in crud. Note to myself; Need to get those cleaned up!!

 

 

Another weekend under the mini!

 

 

 

[b_sdaddy]

Having a bit of trouble getting the old rear brake hoses off:

 

Wheel end is free.

 

Car end is proving more difficult - got the hose bolt loose together with the locking nut away from the bracket

 

The domed nut that tightens onto the copper brake line is stuck fast!

 

If I try and undo, the actual copper line starts to twist as well! If I go to far, I can see the copper line twisting completely off.

 

Q: If I need to replace the copper brake line into the rear drum rubber hose, how much of a pain is this.?

 

Looks like another couriered delivery to Belgium!

 

cheers as always