6 replies to this topic

[steerling]

Just yesterday i noticed my mini had developed a very strong front brake imbalance. Under braking the car pulls HARD to the right and it actually locked up the front right trying to stop at some lights. I have not had a chance to take a look and will likely be getting to that tomorrow. Before I do I thought i'd get some advice from the experts as to what potential causes may be involved here and what i should look out for. 

 

It may be wrong but my assumptions are that since this occurred so quickly and was not a minor imbalance that slowly developed, there must be a root to this problem and simply re-adjusting the front shoes will not provide a solution. Also, since the front right locked up only under heavy braking i assume the problem is with the left-hand side, which seems to no longer function. 

 

I have searched through the forums and read about seized/leaking brake cylinders and leaking hoses. Other than these issues what else might i expect?

 

Thanks

 

'81 leyland 1000cc 

standard drum brakes front and rear

[78 CLUBBY]

Proportioning valve gunked up or seized? Or they need adjusting?

[Captain Mainwaring]

Proportioning valve gunked up or seized? Or they need adjusting?

Think about that again.

 

could be lots of things, a leaking wheel cylinder being top of the list.

[steerling]

Decided to brave the cold....it's just 3degrees in my garage tonight pulled the left drum off to discover that both of the cylinders were leaking and had contaminated everything inside. I will purchase a full set of cylinders, shoes and drum screws tomorrow to get my front brakes working again.

 

While I am at it, and spending what i think will be a reasonable amount of moolah... can anybody tell me if it is worth overhauling/replacing anything else in the braking system? e.g. master cylinder, lines, pipes etc. 

[Alex_B]

Have you thought about upgrading to front discs? its far from cheap when converting from drums but it does mean you wont have to adjust the fronts in the future and you get much better more reliable brakes? 

[steerling]

I do often think about it but i generally persuade myself into saving the coin for the on-going and intermittent restoration i seem to be doing on my mini since i bought it 8 months ago! As far as i know it's an unadulterated 998cc with a LCB so he's no racer. At this point i think getting some new shock absorbers and eying up the suspension will be a priority along with any other unseen issues......1257cc and disc brakes up front in the future though i hope!  

[Mini Manannán]

While I am at it, and spending what i think will be a reasonable amount of moolah... can anybody tell me if it is worth overhauling/replacing anything else in the braking system? e.g. master cylinder, lines, pipes etc. 

 

If you think anything is remotely 'iffy' it is your responsibility to replace it.