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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Leaking brake cylinder

Hoping to get some quick advice.

1979 MG midget

Brake system won't hold pressure. Found a rear left brake leak, seems to be coming from the cylinder. I plan to just replace the cylinder vice rebuilding it. One of the pistons was seized. There was a lot of brake fluid all over the shoe and drum.

Do I need to replace the shoe or just clean it and go with it. Seems there is plenty of life left in it.

I really don't want to take apart the other brake but I assume you would all recommend I do both sides?

Hoping to get it back on the road.

Thanks in advance.
-Trig
Trig Lennard

Brake fluid washes off well with water ,just give it to it with the garden hose, let it dry off then get yourself a spray can of brake cleaner and give it all a good wash down----------- It'll be fine
William Revit

I would do both sides. Personally I would renew the shoes if they have been soaked by brake fluid but it may be worth washing them first.
Bob Beaumont

Good advice already posted. I’ve had leaky rear cylinders on my ‘78 on a couple or three occasions, and have simply replaced the cylinders, as they’re not at all expensive. I seem to recall honing and resealing one of them, which worked, but would rather go with new parts.

By the way, there are numerous threads on replacing the E-clip behind the cylinder...

-:G:-
Gryf Ketcherside

Thanks everyone, I will press on this afternoon. I will definitely read the threads on the clips. They are a beast if I remember from last time. I know I should do both, grrrr.


As always, this is a great group.

Trig
Trig Lennard

Trig,
here's the easy 3-seconds-with-eyes-closed method that was taught to me by Andy Tilney and even I can do, well 5 seconds with my good eye closed. -

How to easily fit the E-clip

remove the bleed nipple from the brake cylinder

find a (pan head) machine screw to fit where the bleed nipple goes into the brake cylinder

use the (pan head) machine screw to secure the brake cylinder to its position on the brake backplate - but not tightly, *see later

- (or find any method to hold the cylinder in position without damaging the backplate, perhaps a clamp)

you now have the brake cylinder in position with both hands free

use a suitable flat blade screwdriver to fit the E-clip (concave side of clip to backplate, see illustration below)

get the tangs fitted *then place the blade of the screwdriver behind the E-clip to check for a bit of give

place the blade of the screwdriver between the cylinder and the backplate (looking at the cylinder drum side) and gently prize the cylinder to flex the E-clip, if its in correctly you will feel it trying to retract, if its not it will fly off.

The original Belleville washer and circlip are available from AH Spares Ltd - http://www.ahspares.co.uk/
o XBRK182C (circlip)
o XBRK182W (Belleville washer).



Nigel Atkins

Great advice. Got it on using some of the techniques. I'll bleed tomorrow, just ran out of energy tonight. I'll read some post tonight and be ready in the am.

Forgot about the struggles to get the shoes, springs and E-brake together but both drum brakes now together!

Thanks again.

Trig
Trig Lennard

This thread was discussed between 27/05/2020 and 30/05/2020

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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