13 replies to this topic

[jiminwatford]

hi, i have been reliably informed by my mechanic that the NS rear brake adjuster is seized and needs replacing. i personally have never tried to remove a seized one and he (the mechanic) suggested it was difficult and getting a new one along with a backplate is recommended.

having looked at the prices for new backplates (without adjuster - from £23 each) i am looking for alternatives

i am putting this post out there just to see if anyone has any advice or experience they may want to share re brake adjusters and the replacement of

thanks
James

Edited by jiminwatford, 28 May 2008 - 07:07 PM.

[lrostoke]

Difficult to remove is an understatement..

We tried heating one up, drilling it out, even welded a large nut on the adjuster, wouldn't move.

Final solution we went local scrapyard and got a couple of good ones complete with brake shoes off a metro..they had a couple of minis in our scrapyard but same problem seized. £10 the pair

[jiminwatford]

to clarify, are the metro ones the same? i assume they are from A series engined metros? thanks

[sixwheeler]

IF you are very lucky then there may be enough of it poking out from the back of the backplate to enable you to get it in the vice.

You have to take the back plate off obviously.

When they are really rusty I find the best way of loosening them is to get the end of the adjuster in a big sturdy vice done up very tightly.....

[Ethel]

The problem is if the threads are corroded, even if you get the adjuster out the thread in the backplate may be unserviceable. Metro back plates are different, some design improvements including an adjuster that is separate to the plate. I've never tried fitting one but I wouldn't be surprised if they do fit as the shoes are the same. It begs the question why Rover didn't use the same part on both cars

[Ethel]

The problem is if the threads are corroded, even if you get the adjuster out the thread in the backplate may be unserviceable. Metro back plates are different, some design improvements including an adjuster that is separate to the plate. I've never tried fitting one but I wouldn't be surprised if they do fit as the shoes are the same. It begs the question why Rover didn't use the same part on both cars

Note that the cylinders are likely to be a different size (17.8mm) and might have a metric thread.

[Pooky]

Treat yourself to some Plus Gas and spray it on generously and leave it over night and spray some more on every now and again. Then get some heat on the backplate with a small butane blow lamp and that should do it. If not get some more leverage on the adjusting spanner using a pipe or something. If you've not taken the back plate off then I find it easier to drop the shock down by undoing the top nut. It'll drop the radius arm down and give you a bit more room.

I'd love to find a flat adjusting spanner! I've only ever seen cranked ones and they hit the subframe

[lrostoke]

Its 12 month since we got the metro backplates so can't remember exactly which model it was off or which bits we transfered...It was really only the backplate and adjuster we wanted, the shoes were a bonus..Not sure which wheel cylinder we used. I do remember like mentioned the adjuster is a different design and did seem better. We stripped it all and copperslipped it before fitting anyway.
The one part we didn't take with us was the hub, wheelstuds are bigger on the metro.

Like I said earlier sometimes a really siezed mini one will not shift, we had it in a vice, welded things to it, everything we could think of, just would not shift, they had stood for 5 years though.

[yveian]

i had this problem last week on both sides and its a mare. by the time you've phoned/driven around and asked a million questions to shops that have less knowledge than a flat hedge hog you'll have spent more than a new one is worth!! from my own experience get some new ones and give them some copper slip love b4 fitment and all will be right with the world

[Ethel]

Metro hubs are also interchangeable. I had a quick online search 'n it looks like the rear brakes remained unchanged on K Series versions.

[lrostoke]

Metro hubs are also interchangeable. I had a quick online search 'n it looks like the rear brakes remained unchanged on K Series versions.

The studs where definitly bigger as in wider on the Metro we raided...still got the wheelnuts off it, they slide straight onto a standard mini wheelstud

[jiminwatford]

i have spoken to a local mini mechanic and he says A series metro backplates fit but you also need the hub. metro and mini backplates differ where the hub makes contact.

can anyone confirm/deny this? Irostoke, did you have any problems in this area?

thanks
James

Edited by jiminwatford, 31 May 2008 - 01:57 PM.

[lrostoke]

Straight fit, no alterations needed, and we definitly used the mini hubs

[jiminwatford]

This should hopefully be solved now as we have some good mini backplates with adjusters. £20