Brake Adjustment

Post by **dnac** » Wed Aug 16, 2006 8:41 am

Hi, My brake pedal seems to be getting closer and closer to the floor when I apply it, this has happened gradually over the few months I have had the car now.

Do i need to manually adjust the brakes or are they supposed to be self adjusting?

Or is this some other problem I might want to check out?

Post by **Kevin** » Wed Aug 16, 2006 8:52 am

Do i need to manually adjust the brakes or are they supposed to be self adjusting?

Yes the brakes are manually adjusted and depending on the use of the car depends on how often it needs doing, if its a daily driver at least a couple of times a year.
Does the pedal pump up which is a sign of air in the system.
Buy a manual and it will be explained.

Post by **markattard** » Wed Aug 16, 2006 8:56 am

If the the pedal goes back to normal after a few pumps, then it could be a matter of air trapped in the system.

Post by **dnac** » Wed Aug 16, 2006 9:44 am

No, I tried to pump it up, and it does not make a difference, I'll have a go at adjusting, its doing about 120 miles a week, I drive it steady, but My wife uses it at the weekend to deliver food, and she does not hang around

Post by **Kevin** » Wed Aug 16, 2006 10:09 am

With that sort of mileage they will probably need adjusting every few months to keep them at their best.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Wed Aug 16, 2006 10:09 am

Regular adjustment needed then - the older Minors had holes in the wheels which let them be adjusted easily - for some reason this was deleted and so now it's jack up and wheels off business. Good idea to grease the nipples on the front suspension at the same time - and don't forget the prop shaft and the handbrake cables when doing the rear brakes.

Post by **dnac** » Wed Aug 16, 2006 11:13 am

Funny you should say that, just gotta buy a handbrake cable, cause one of them snapped last night

Post by **Stig** » Wed Aug 16, 2006 12:11 pm

dnac wrote:Funny you should say that, just gotta buy a handbrake cable, cause one of them snapped last night

Might as well replace both of them or you just know that the other one will snap in a month's time - unless it's some 'outside force' that's snapped it such as the top leaf spring breaking which happened to me a few years ago!

I'm sure my handbrake cables have stretched recently as I've had to adjust the handbrake, though the footbrake is fine. Anyone know how long they tend to last?

Post by **bmcecosse** » Wed Aug 16, 2006 1:07 pm

Cable may have snapped because of seized cylinder in the rear brakes - as above - get two - and with greasing from time to time - and liberal smear with grease at the connection on the rear backplate - they should last 'for ever'.