beehive brake retainer springs

Post by **Myko2** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 5:30 pm

I just noticed there are supposed to be 2 on each side on the rear brakes. They haven't been on my car for at least 10 years. Anybody else running without? I would ask if there is a danger not running with them, but so far I've had no problems!

Post by **bigginger** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 6:24 pm

Most folk run without them

Post by **simmitc** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 6:27 pm

But they're readily available, dirt cheap, and easy to fit - so why not put them back? But if you don't then you won't notice any difference.

Post by **Willie** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 7:24 pm

The object of the beehive springs is to keep the shoes parallel with the drums. You will only notice a problem if you try to pull the drums off without completely slackening off the brake adjusters because, if there is a wear ridge on the drum the shoe can catch on it and prevent the drum from being removed without the beehive spring.

Post by **rayofleamington** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 8:37 pm

They haven't been on my car for at least 10 years. Anybody else running without?

I've had 16 minors so far and not one has had these fitted ( and I never added them either ;) )
With the brake springs at the far side of the shoes, the shoes will be biassed over to the backplate anyway so the beehive won't make any difference during use. As mentioned by Willie - they will help to keep the shoes against the backplate when removing the drum, but I've never found that to be a major issue anyway.

Post by **les** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 9:42 pm

Bmc probably had a load of money to spare so made and installed them for the hell of it. I'm going to remove mine!

Post by **rayofleamington** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 10:07 pm

Bmc probably had a load of money to spare so made and installed them for the hell of it. I'm going to remove mine!

They also fitted countersunk screws into all the drums - I usually put them all in a pile on the side of the garage 'for safe keeping' whilst the car is being used.
I guess that's a bit naughty of me though... but I've not had any drums falling off so far.

Post by **les** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 10:16 pm

I reckon you will be getting a list up soon Ray, of items not required!
Just think of the weight saving.

Post by **Myko2** » Thu Apr 05, 2007 12:04 am

rayofleamington wrote:
Bmc probably had a load of money to spare so made and installed them for the hell of it. I'm going to remove mine!
They also fitted countersunk screws into all the drums - I usually put them all in a pile on the side of the garage 'for safe keeping' whilst the car is being used.
I guess that's a bit naughty of me though... but I've not had any drums falling off so far.

Ray,
I run them religiously as they keep the axles from leaking oil all over the garage floor when the wheels are off.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Thu Apr 05, 2007 7:44 am

They eventually realised with the later Minis - and only fitted one c/sunk screw in the rear drums. However - they still drilled and tapped two holes in the hub - and drilled and c/sunk two holes in the drums! Which probably cost more to do than the screw they saved.

Post by **Willie** » Thu Apr 05, 2007 5:56 pm

You only have one countersunk screw which holds the half shaft on. The two screws in the drum also clamp the half shaft to the hub WHEN THE WHEEL NUTS ARE OFF so i would think you are chancing an oil leak if you leave these drum screws off?

Post by **8009STEVE** » Thu Apr 05, 2007 7:58 pm

of items not required!

There was a thread about this on the radio. The most interesting one was the R.A.F. mechanic who had rebuilt an engine for a mosquito, fitted the engine and was about to clock out when he found 8 spring washers in his pocket. As he was leaving, the pilot came in , saw the plane was ready and took the mechanic on a test flight. The pilot went into a 400 mph dive . On landing, the pilot said thanks and went. The mechanic then stripped the engine anf fitted the washers. I wonder why?

Post by **Myko2** » Fri Apr 06, 2007 8:59 am

I'm running spacers on the rear as well and since the new hubs have four tapped holes I drilled the drum and half shaft to run a fourth screw to hole the spacers in place when the wheels are off.

Post by **rayofleamington** » Fri Apr 06, 2007 10:54 am

Ray,
I run them religiously as they keep the axles from leaking oil all over the garage floor when the wheels are off.

I've never had that happen - but if it does, I'll know why. ;-)
The half shaft has a screw to keep it closed on the gasket anyway, which is why you can have the rear drums off without pouring oil all over the brakes (or maybe I've just been lucky).
Anyway - the front drum screws have got to be pretty low down on the list of essential parts!

Post by **Myko2** » Sun Apr 08, 2007 2:21 am

rayofleamington wrote:
Ray,
I run them religiously as they keep the axles from leaking oil all over the garage floor when the wheels are off.
I've never had that happen - but if it does, I'll know why. ;-)
The half shaft has a screw to keep it closed on the gasket anyway, which is why you can have the rear drums off without pouring oil all over the brakes (or maybe I've just been lucky).
Anyway - the front drum screws have got to be pretty low down on the list of essential parts!

The guys on the Lotus Elise site would kill to save 3 or 4 grams of weight! Too bad Lotus doesn't run that style of brake. They'd all race to see who could take them off first.