11 replies to this topic

[groovygoat]

Hi, I'm new to this so please bear with me, thanks.

I drive a Metro (sorry) but I know they have a similar brake set up to the Mini so I thought I'd see if anyone can help?

My car failed its MOT because the 'service brake efficiency is low, registering little or no effort' on the rear.

I have taken off the drums and replaced and they are in a good condition but when it went it for the re-test it failed again and the readings were even lower (30%)

Any idea where I need to check or what I need to replace?

Any reply would be gratefully received, thanks, Janey

[cowboy]

have you adjusted the brakes correctlly on it

if the brakes arent adjsted correctlly then they will need to travel more before they become efficant hence your lack of brake efficancy

also did you check the rear brake cylinderes for leaks, by removing the rubber end to see if its damp behind it

[groovygoat]

Hi, I'm new to this so please bear with me, thanks.

I drive a Metro (sorry) but I know they have a similar brake set up to the Mini so I thought I'd see if anyone can help?

My car failed its MOT because the 'service brake efficiency is low, registering little or no effort' on the rear.

I have taken off the drums and replaced and they are in a good condition but when it went it for the re-test it failed again and the readings were even lower (30%)

Any idea where I need to check or what I need to replace?

Any reply would be gratefully received, thanks, Janey

[groovygoat]

have you adjusted the brakes correctlly on it

if the brakes arent adjsted correctlly then they will need to travel more before they become efficant hence your lack of brake efficancy

also did you check the rear brake cylinderes for leaks, by removing the rubber end to see if its damp behind it

Hi, thanks for that. I adjusted the brakes up when I put the drums back on and there isn't much travel. I didn't notice any dampness (certainly no leaks) but I am going to check again to see. Thanks, Janey

[Ethel]

If your brake pedal doesn't travel too much could be brake pressure limiter.

It is possible to put the shoes on back to front too - couldn't be that could it?

don't apologise for driving a Metro - not like it's a Bini

besides where would we get the bits for our Minis from

[minidaves]

have had this a coupe of times and the modern linings cause problems so if wheel cylinders work, i would hcange the rear shoes

dave

[groovygoat]

If your brake pedal doesn't travel too much could be brake pressure limiter.

It is possible to put the shoes on back to front too - couldn't be that could it?

don't apologise for driving a Metro - not like it's a Bini

besides where would we get the bits for our Minis from

I've checked my shoes against the picture in my haynes manual (1998 Metro) and it is different as the drum on my car hits the leading edge on the shoe first like in the Mini manual and an older metro, the picture in the manual I have for my year is showing them the other way round! Is my manual wrong or does the set up change for newer metro's?

The brakes are on a diagonally split dual circuit system and the MOT results showed that the braking is even just not effective on the rear! Thanks, Janey

[Ethel]

Metros have one complete brake circuit to all wheels and a secondary to the front wheels only

Could be that the pictures in the manuals are of opposite sides.

The shoe has a metal unlined section at one end - on the shoes nearest the back of the car that should be at the bottom (in the wheel cylinder) and it should be on top (in the adjuster) for the shoes nearest the car's front.

Hope that makes sense.

[Jupitus]

This illustrates it, the right hand rear brake...

[Ethel]

Just spotted how late your car is - does it have a the single pot front calipers?

Don't know if the rear brakes changed with them but if the cylinders and adjusters are in the same place I can't see how it would differ.

[groovygoat]

Just spotted how late your car is - does it have a the single pot front calipers?

Don't know if the rear brakes changed with them but if the cylinders and adjusters are in the same place I can't see how it would differ.

Hi, yes it does have single pot front calipers. The rear drums are on a diagonal split circuit, front right caliper/rear left drum and front left caliper/rear right drum both circuits have a proportional valve.

My shoe set up is like the picture kindly posted by Jupitus which is the same as the Mini and older Metro manual so I'm going to change the shoes and see...

thanks for your help, Janey

Edited by groovygoat, 23 June 2007 - 05:01 PM.

[groovygoat]

This illustrates it, the right hand rear brake...

Hi, thanks, very useful. Mine look like this set up, the manual for 1998 is different. I'm going to put new shoes on and see. Thanks for the picture, Janey