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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Handbrake query?

Hi all,
Replaced my shoes & springs, adjusters & cams on my MK III midget and I "thought" I set up the rear brakes properly. My books say handbrake on 3 clicks and then set up the adjusters. I did this but the handbrake is a little dubious.
Should / Could I set up the handbrake with the adjusters setting with NO handbrake clicks applied? I don't think the cable is stretched as it was good before I started & I didn't touch the cable settings. I wonder if the shoes were thinner?
Any thoughts, I'm very grateful.
Cheers all
Colin
colin frowen

If you got the shoes from the green algee store... then id say your shoes are to thin

Im not sure why, but when I replaced my soes some time back, I ran out of adjustment long before I ran out of asbestos shoe material

Some have gone to the mini front shoes, there a bit.wider put much thicker and can be filed down to fit fairly easily

David leib talked about this... guess where you need to look? ... haha

Prop
Prop and the Blackhole Midget

I always do mine with the handbrake off. Lock them up then back off one click. I like mine as close as I can get them without dragging and the handbrake fully on at 3/4 clicks.

Trev
Trevor Mason

Likewise, handbrake off.
Dave O'Neill 2

Hi All,
Many thanks as always!
Cheers colin
colin frowen

Colin
If you still have the 1275 system, why don't you do what I did and swap it for the 1500 system. Its not that expensive to do, and the 1500 is much stronger. I can now leave my car on a sloping drive, with the engine running, without the danger of it running away.
The only slight problem you will have will be securing the compensator to the axle, to stop it rattling around, but its simply a case of making up a bracket of some sort.

Dave
Dave Barrow

Here is a not very clear picture, not the easiest places to photograph.


Dave Barrow

Is your diff filler plug loose?
Lawrence Slater

Lawrence
No, thanks for the concern, but its a tapered thread, and that's as tight as it goes.

Dave
Dave Barrow

Hi Dave,
Thanks for your comments.
my car stayed put happily until I changed the adjusters & tappets.
I ( stupidly) was following the book rather than posting here for advice!
I re-set up my brakes with no handbrake clicks & it's fine now, but cheers anyway.
Colin
colin frowen

This thread was discussed between 23/08/2015 and 28/08/2015

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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