new - questions

Post by **moggie-tom** » Thu Apr 02, 2009 7:39 pm

Hello,

New to the message board and the world of Morris Minors. I'm 18 and recently bought my first Minor -1964 1000 2dr saloon-, driving test next week, eek! just a few of questions (may seem silly).

I was wondering about the brake adjustment, is it really as simple as it sounds? Just take the wheel off and tighten the screw? Also how easy is it to change the chrome surrounds on the rear lights, it looks like someone has had a shotgun to them, I think the correct term is that the chrome has 'pitted'. Not sure if i can afford new ones at the moment though. I would also be grateful for any general advice on owning or driving Morris Minors. Thanks.

Post by **PSL184** » Thu Apr 02, 2009 7:51 pm

Hi Tom - Good luck with your test. Lots of young people owning Moggies these days. It's nice to see

Brake adjustment is as you say - Simples !!! Adjust up until the drum locks then back off one click only. Rear light bases always pit badly so it is unlikely that you will find good second hand ones. I think Bulmotif do plastic chrome ones though so if your're no fussed about them being original they could be a good option....
As for general advice - get a decent workshop manual, read it, learn and get your spanners out - They are really easy cars to learn / work on.

Post by **d_harris** » Thu Apr 02, 2009 8:33 pm

What he said! I'm 24 and learned to drive in a trav

Post by **HarryMango** » Thu Apr 02, 2009 8:45 pm

Hi Tom

Welcome to the message board - its good to see someone else from our fair county - whereabouts are you ?
You would be made very welcome by the MMOC Leicester Branch - we meet on the 2nd Wed each month at the Greyhound Inn, Main Street, Botcheston @2000hrs.
If you PM me your email address, I will add you to our mailing list & keep you updated with our activities.

Rog

Post by **stiguk** » Thu Apr 02, 2009 8:49 pm

good luck mate il be at home next wk thanks for the
warning lolol

Post by **simmitc** » Thu Apr 02, 2009 8:51 pm

Hello Tom, one thing you'll soon learn on here is that for nearly every question there are at least two answers; and neither is necessarily wrong.

On the brake adjustment, the official guidance is to turn the adjuster until the drum locks and then back off TWO clicks. The argument is that it allows the slave cylinders to work better: the pistons move more, and are so less likely to seize.

The real trick is to probably back off one click and then operate the pedal to centre the shoes. Let the brakes off and see if the drum spins freely. If it does then leave things alone, if it binds at any point, then back off one more click; but never more than a total of two clicks.

Good luck with the test, hopefully you'll be able to drive down to the National Rally.

Thu Apr 02, 2009 9:23 pm

Hello Tom

good luck with the test..
as for the brakes I adjust back one click.. if you adjust back 2 clicks the brake shoes will have to travel further to hit the drums, giving longer brake pedal travel.

The best thing to do is to adjust them to one settings take the car for a quick spin then try the other one and see which one suits you.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Thu Apr 02, 2009 9:26 pm

PM with Manual download sent.

Post by **moggie-tom** » Thu Apr 02, 2009 11:00 pm

Thanks for all the replys, they are much appreciated. I'll have a go at adjusting the brakes as soon as I can get my friend to lend me his jack and stands.

Post by **Kevin** » Fri Apr 03, 2009 8:51 am

Welcome aboard Tom and enjoy your new car and don't worry about asking what seem to be silly questions as a few of us are quite silly anyway

Post by **d_harris** » Fri Apr 03, 2009 2:13 pm

Dont know who you mean.........

Theres only one silly question - one thats not asked

Post by **dalebrignall** » Fri Apr 03, 2009 4:24 pm

welcome tom good luck with your test,and just ask on here if you have any questions,we are a friendly bunch.

Post by **Kevin** » Fri Apr 03, 2009 7:47 pm

Dan_Harris wrote:Dont know who you mean.........

quite a few on the board but knowone in particular but I will have to include you Dan as you responded

Theres only one silly question - one thats not asked

Post by **d_harris** » Fri Apr 03, 2009 8:33 pm

I still have that video of you racing a morris dancer, don't make me post it

(cos thats a lot of work)

Post by **PSL184** » Fri Apr 03, 2009 8:53 pm

Go on Dan - I need a laugh

Post by **d_harris** » Fri Apr 03, 2009 9:10 pm

its a whole heap of work. Its on my freeview box, it means burning it to DVD, Installing the DVD drive in the computer then ripping it and uploading it, LOADS of work.

Post by **Kevin** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 8:14 am

Well I will reaveal a snippet
<br>

<br>
This was the practice start and you can see the onboard camera on the quarterlight.
Still at least I won

Post by **d_harris** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 11:08 am

On the version they showed

Post by **moggie-tom** » Tue Apr 07, 2009 6:06 pm

just to say i passed my test today

also managed to adjust the brakes.

Post by **Kevin** » Thu Apr 09, 2009 8:38 am

Well done Tom thats a good start on both points