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MG TD TF 1500 - TD wire wheel drum removal

On that trip home from Seattle with the new TD, the wife had to make a PANIC stop from 40...the car stopped, but pulled hard to right. I just looked under the car and see a small puddle (brake fluid) under the front left tire. I figure either she blew the brake cylinder or it was already bad.
This TD has wire wheels. I spun off the spinner and now I am looking at a set of 6 bolts (old & corroded)...PHOTO ATTACHED...do I pull these to get to the brake drum and breaks? There is an inspection hole, is that for adjusting the brakes? or to keep the drum from spinning when I try to remove the bolts?

I wish the car came with a manual...guess I'll order one with the brake parts!




J.C. Walck

Joe - Those are either TF or MGA drums (TDs didn't come with wire wheels). Yes, the six nuts need to come off. Start now with a good application of penetrating oil, Kroil or PB Blaster (not WD 40) and let them soak over night. If that doesn't loosen them, you may have to invest in a good gas torch and start heating them. If all else fail, a nut cracker will be the next approach. Cheers - Dave
David DuBois

You can also take the cotter pin out, remove the big nut, and using a claw-type puller pull the whole hub and drum off. Be aware the big nut is left hand thread on one side of the car- I forget which. JC- I was writing the other post when this popped up. Sounds like you may need a total brake job- cylinders, hoses, etc. If you're going to go that way please post for more advice on the little stuff that can really trip you up (ie the front cyls are not marked up/down- make sure you mark them well, replace copper washers, which cyls are better rebuilt/resleaved, replaced, etc.) George
George Butz

JC,
The nuts should come off easily. If the internal diameter of the drum is 9" then they are TF. 10" will be from an MGA.The front hubs from the TF and MGA are the same. Note that they are handed.
Sandy
Sandy Sanders

After owning and working on B's for over 35 years...this TD will be a challange. There must be a missing link between the T and the B...but I can't afford an A now...yet!
This is a great place to park for an hour or two a day...the archives are great! Thanks again Dave DuB.

I will order the CD of the TD manual tomorrow, I see them on Ebay.
J.C. Walck

Joe - "Thanks again Dave DuB." You got the picture real quick, so far you have talked to two of the Daves on this board - there are still five or six more lurking. Cheers - Dave
David DuBois

It is also possible to make a "proper" hub puller from a bashed up spinner. Requires a bit of machining but is very simple and works like a charm.

Take the old spinner to a machine shop and have them drill and tap a hole in the center. Buy a piece of althread rod to fit the tapped hole in the spinner. Cut a piece about 4 inches long, weld a nut on one end and cut a point on the other end that will fit in the centerhole of the axle stub.

To use, remove the cotter pin and the large nut on the axle. Then thread the spinner on the hub by hand is good enough. Put a box wrench on the nut welded to the althread and screw it in. It will pull the hub so smooth and easy you will wonder why you thought it was a problem.

Cheers,

Bob
R. K. Jeffers

It this NOT A GOOD IDEA?
The nuts looked worse than they were...they came off pretty easy.
My front left brake cylinder is leaking, and has soaked the entire drum and shoes. It must be a new leak (that panic stop!), as the under fender area has only this new stain...which has etched the underside paint already.
The other wheels look good, and the brakes probably have less the 1000 miles on them. My rear left shoes looks a little "glazed"(photo)...I'm tempted to move my front right shoes to rear left and put a complete new set on the front, along with a new brake cylinder on front left. It that NOT A GOOD IDEA?
I'm still waiting for the CD manual in the mail...I won't do anything until I get a manual.
I ordered the cylinder and shoes from Moss...reading the archives I see a lot of you have your shoes reshoed, is that prefered or just a way to save a few dollars that will be needed for other MG projects?
Joe


J.C. Walck

Joe, at least rebuild the other cylinder (replace the rubber cup, etc.) in that wheel. Replace the copper washers or it will be a bear to get it not to leak. A few years ago buying just the linings was really cheap, last time I looked they were almost as much as new shoes. Not to mention removal of the likely bonded on linings could make a huge amount of asbestos dust. Lastly, I strongly feel to always do shoes in axle pairs. No way to know if they are exactly the same material, etc., and it could cause problems. George
George Butz

What were the brakes? MGA or ???? 9" or 10".
Sandy
Sandy Sanders

Joe,

If the linings are settled in and you switch wheels, it will never stop right. I took my drums and old brake linings to a place in Minneapolis called Brake and Equipment Warehouse. They are an industrial machining shop that works on large equipment that predates the DC motor era. They also do vehicles and an amazing number of vintage cars. They turned my drums very lightly and then re-arched my brake linings to match. The linings had to be kept in the wheel they were arched for. Total cost in '05 was $125. I'm sure you have a similar shop near you.

That and the paint saving Silicon fluid has been well worth it. My brake info is on my website, http://www.dbraun99.com/ under Brakes.

I also put in new brake hoses, replaced the rear cylinders, resleeved the front cylinders, and put a kit in the master cylinder.

Hope this helps,
dave
Dave Braun

They were 9", TF's.

Okay, no shortcuts. I will have to rely on my B-LE for that feel of the open road for awhile. Dave, your photos were great help...I will now order the works and plan on Dot 5 at the end. I will start a new thread for more brake info. I'm dizzy from reading the archives, although a great help there are so many.
Joe
J.C. Walck

This thread was discussed between 26/05/2009 and 30/05/2009

MG TD TF 1500 index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG TD TF 1500 BBS is active now.