23 replies to this topic

[MMM1965]

Hi guys, just a quick question. Are single and twin leading brake shoes the same or different? Are they interchangeable? Thanks

[minidaves]

believe in god and believe in god slightly less

[Swift_General]

Different. Twin leading will have 2 wheel cylinders per side so both are leading, single leading only has one wheel cylinder to give a leading and trailing shoe (as on the back). Very easy minis had single leading on the front, and they could be changed to twin leading as on later cars but only by switching all the relevant parts.

Edited by Swift_General, 24 March 2016 - 09:08 PM.

[A-Cell]

Twin leading shoe brake shoes are 1.5 in wide and earlier pre 1964 single leading shoe brake shoes are narrower, 1.25 in wide (same as rear brakes)

[MRA]

The shoes themselves with the exception of width are identical .... there are different grades of friction material available for both and you can fit 1.5" on the rear with new drums.

[Ivor Badger]

Twin leading shoe brakes make an attempt to stop the car and single ones don't.

 

They can be swapped over on the cars hubs, but only by changing the back plates which means pulling the drive flanges and thus the wheel bearings coming apart. So just swap the complete hubs.

[Cooperman]

To think I used to compensate in serious rallies in 850 Minis with single leading shoe brakes and sometimes we won!

[MMM1965]

Thanks for the reply's chaps, I've got a sept64 built mk1 with twin leading shoe front brakes but with 1 1/4 inch wide shoes fitted. Will get the wider ones as I have bought new drums. I have to say I have always found the drum brakes on a mini more than adequate as long as you keep them well adjusted etc. Adequate for the speed I drive anyway! Have never had a mini with disk brakes so probably don't know any better!

[mk3 Cooper S]

Yes I agree a set of well adjusted drums on a standard engine mini that is not driven too hard is adequate.

[MRA]

They are adequate right up to the moment the car in front becomes too close...... 

[mk3 Cooper S]

Prediction and reading the road ahead seem to be skills lost by most :-(

[MRA]

Prediction and reading the road ahead seem to be skills lost by most :-(

 

I think it has to a certain amount, possibly the pace of life etc.... however I know what I would rather have, that is brakes I can rely on, for any time I may need them, some t*** pulls out in front of you one day no amount of forward thinking skills are going to help you.

 

I had a car pull across in front of me I was already slowing down as my "spidey" senses told me something was wrong, however drum brakes would never have saved my Mini, my 6 pot alloy calipers and 11.2" discs did though and with out any drama.

Edited by MRA, 26 March 2016 - 12:11 AM.

[Blatherskite]

To think I used to compensate in serious rallies in 850 Minis with single leading shoe brakes and sometimes we won!

Driver skill compensated for less robust gear, Cooperman

[Ivor Badger]

1 1/4 wide shoes? has someone fitted the wrong shoes? I have certainly seen the fronts fitted to the rear and before anyone says it doesn't work, that was why they came and asked me why the rear brakes didn't work properly.

[MMM1965]

Thanks for your help guys, am now seriously considering the 11.2" disk 6 pot alloy calliper upgrade route. Just one thing though, do you think I would have any clearance issues with my standard 10 steel wheels or would they be just fine?