My car's falling to pieces!!! Advice required!

[bigginger]

Could I say that I went out of my way NOT to start the dabate re discs again. Perhaps I should have pitched my comment more preecisely for the benefit of the slow of understanding. By "more efficient" I meant more mechanically efficient, and didn't add any thing about brake fade, water retention, self cleaning of pad (or shoe) residue, self adjusting nature, it being a period modification etc etc. That's why I said it was a simple statement of fact - it was. For the record (once again), it's not an attack on anyone, and if a set of W drums fell into my lap, I'd fit them. I'm sorry, but I really can't understand the 'oh, discs are much harder to fit' argument though. Why is altering the master cylinder considered to be so much harder/ more dangerous/riskier than altering the wheel cylinders/shoes etc as is so often advocated by the fans of W drums? Surely as with all brake related issues, if you're not happy doing the work, don't do it...

[mike.perry]

Sorry bmc, I disagree with you on keeping W cylinders. As you know it is just a case of motifying the back plate slots and fitting new connecting pipes. M1000 cylinders are readily available and if you refit your existing cylinders you are using known items rather than the W cylinders which came in a box of bits. Besides I seem to remember that you had my spare W cylinders.

[bmcecosse]

The problem is - with the Minor cylinders fitted, the brakes become TOO LIGHT - and all the braking is done with the front brakes leaving very little braking from the rear drums. The fronts are then prone to locking up all too easily. I know - i've got both types and have tried them both. Yes - the Minor cylinders are quite easily fitted - but the result - for me - was not as good as the W cylinder brake set i have. maybe it was down to different shoes of course - I haven't tried swapping shoes over.
On the gearbox 'noises' etc problem - I'm told this gold-seal box is ribbed case suitable for a 1098 engine. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 0331555274
It may be worth a gamble ?

[picky]

last i heard gearbox is knackered and being replaced with a recon unit. cluch plate and thrust bearing are being renewed while the box is out. wish i had the time time to finish my minor

Picky