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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Drump brake help for numpty..

Hi,

Recently started stripping down and replacing the rear brake calipers in my 78 midget (both sides were leaking) and stopping bad...!

For a refurb kit, caliper, shoes, springs etc. All now reattached, but how'd I do I adjust the shoes so that I can get the drum back on! I'd forgotten how much easier disks were

Hopefully, once I get this done, I can venture out for the cost of welding for the MOT.

Cheers
M Andrews

M,
There is a cone-shaped piece at the bottom of the assembly on which the wedges the bottoms of the shoes rest upon. This is moved in and out via the square head of the screw at the back of the backing plate. Use a special wrench or you will round it off (assuming the PO did not do this for you). The wrenches are cheap and easy to find, even available as a ratcheting wrench.

Given the state of your brakes, expect these to be frozen. Use plenty of penetrant over a few days to try to help them out. Might need to heat them with a propane torch, too.
David "Aren't drum brakes fun?" Lieb
David Lieb

Hi, on the lower rear of the backplate there should be a square lug which, when viewed from the front parts 2 wedges which compensate for wear in the shoes:

See item 45 on link

http://www.moss-europe.co.uk/Shop/ViewProducts.aspx?PlateIndexID=1218

This will probably need winding out (towards the diff) to lessen the adjustment on the shoes as they will have a bit more meat on them now.

HTH
Mark
Mark Whitmore

Here is a heads up, to another problem your going to have when you replace the rear brake clyinders

getting the C-clip (53) attatched to end of brake cyl. (50)...these are a nightmare...I used 2-3 circlips which takes a special pliers (spanners)

just so you know...good luck

prop
Prop

All,

Many thanks. Ordered the necessary tool as I don't have any square spanner which is suitable and I don't want to round off any remaining corners!

Prop - yes it took a while (hours) to get the C-clips back onto the assembly. Managed it with two screwdrivers eventually.

Cheers
Mat
M Andrews

Congrats M.

Your a man of vast patiance, BTW, Im not sure about the 1500, but dont be surprised if you adjust the adjuster screw almost all the way in to just short of full wear out position, they dont make the proper shoes anymore so the tolerances are really wide,

I have come across a bit of info that the mini-cooper FRONT shoes will work better, because the rubbing pads are thicker, thus less gap between the shoes and the drum

I dont know this as hard fact, Id consider it more as a good soild rumor worth looking into.

maybe someone else can shade some additional light on the subject.

prop
Prop

well I have mini front shoes on my rear brakes, but they are no better for adjustment, the thicknesses seem to be like the Spridget ones but they do make the handbrake slightly firmer, maybe 'cos there is more shoe area on them

But I can confirm that they do fit

And the handbrake is still fairly crappy compared to most cars I ever owned...
Bill

well that was optimistic!!! 8^b.....

Thanks for confirming what I had heard some time back...david lieb and I talked about it some time ago, and we wondered if there had to be any grinding on the side of the shoes to fit...is that an issue, or will they fit with out hassle

prop
Prop

straight on Prop

no modifications but they do fill the whole of the drum width.

1500 handbrake set up s the next try to cure the problem

the brakes themselves seem a little sharper with wider shoes

but I have a vivid imagination

:-)
Bill

Luckly I dont have to worry for much longer....Im starting to look forward to the RX7 rear axle set-up.....Ahhhhh disk brakes, LSD, lots of cheap gearing choices, bullet proof, ect. LOL. march/april/may just cant come fast enough.

prop
Prop

Re; the adjuster - don't forget.. it comes out by winding it all the way IN, towards the drum. And as regards those bloody circlips (the new ones often break), I did away with them altogether by using the mod of drilling and tapping (M5) the locating dowel, and using a washer and cheese-head bolt to fix the new cylinders securely to the backblate - and it works a treat! No swearing, cursing, bleeding fingers or torn knuckles.
D le Versha

I must be really rough as i find getting the clips in not that bad a job.
Brad (Sprite IV 1380)

I just replaced the wheel cylinders on my 72 and tossed out the new clips and used a circlip and washer that came with the old one. The C clips that came with the new cylinders were so tight I couldn't even fit them with the cylinders on my bench. When replacing my adjuster wedges I had to cut a groove in the cone shaped part and I had to use so much heat it was riduculous. I now have the first LBC I have ever driven with a great e-brake!
CJCharvet

Congrats CJ,

Enjoy you accomplishment.

Brad,

You had NO problem with rebuilding your rear brakes??? So what does a pound of 420 cost these days...lol

Im sorry that was bad...consider yourself blessed

prop
Prop

Hi - after more help I'm afraid!

I've replaced the calipers & pads. Reassembled and adjusted the pads so that they are in as far as they can go - but still cannot fit the drums back on!

Does anyone got any advice or offer up some wisdom?

M
M Andrews

Calipers AND drums on the same corner of the car???
I seem to have lost something in translation...
David "try it in Portuguese, please" Lieb
David Lieb

scrub caliper....try cylinder
M Andrews

M

You don't have the handbrake 'on', do you?
Steve Clark

Your drums are oval.
Brad
Brad (Sprite IV 1380)

Obviously something is wrong because normally the fit of drums is far too easy. You may have the handbrake on or you may have misunderstood something. I do not want to sound offensive but your terminology suggests you are less than competent with this job.

All that aside for a moment if most folks were there this would be a simple case and solved within seconds, however we are not here but what would help would be if you cold take a picture of the rear brake assembly and post it here, so that we could see what was wrong
Bob (Robert) Midget Turbo

Prop,
whats 420?
M,
like Bob says its going to be something silly, but a photo of the front & back would help us.
Brad
Brad (Sprite IV 1380)

have you managed to re-insert the wedges back to front ? (BTDT)
David Smith

M
Where are you in Wiltshire? If it's anywhere near I'll help if I can.

Andy
Andy Pie-Crust

This thread was discussed between 08/12/2008 and 18/12/2008

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