another Mark stupid question

[markthe45king]

Lily seems a little off colour - so how much do i need to worry about the following (and how easy are the repairs / alterations i need to do)? And as usual i haven't looked at the manual yet.......

The brakes seem to be getting "softer" - ie the pedal is travelling about 3/4 of the way down before making a difference - so any ideas about tightening all that up?
Although there are no grinding noises or jumping out of gear, i am finding the gear changes are becoming a little harder / a little less smooth? just a case of looking at the clutch cable?
on a brighton run on saturday, although she reached 70 relatively easily (and sits there quite happy at that speed), she seemed to take an age from 50-60, and i'm sure she's normally nippier than that, plus she struggled for the first time up a not too steep hill in 4th - any first thoughts?

And finally - a somewhat heftier than normal friend used the passenger seat the other day and snapped the webbing - where can i get replacement webbing?

sorry to be an absolute pain.......

[dalebrignall]

it sounds like your brakes just need adjusting its easy to do jack up the car use axel stands to be safe take off the wheel .this will show you the brake drum.you will see a hole in the drum,this allows you access to the brake adjusting screws,use a tourch and rotate the drum till you see a screw.turn the screw till the drum locksthen go back 1 click you will here a click ,then turn the drum till you get to the other screw and do the same .,then do the cther front wheel in the same manor.

to do the back brakes chock the fronts then releace the hand brake,the procedure is exactally the same as the front but there is only 1 adjuster.you may have to slacken of the hand brake cables a bit if it then only goes up a click or so should be about 4.

clutch free play should be about a inch ,i hope this makes some sort of sence a manual will explain all to you its just a case of reading and having a go or get someone to show youif i can do it anyone can .

[mike.perry]

Pump the brake pedal and if the free play decreases then there is probably air in the system which will need bleeding.
There is no clutch cable, it is rod operated. The adjuster nut is on the rod where it joins the clutch forks on the rhs of the gearbox.
Lack of performance could be the engine is in need of general tuning.
The workshop manual should be the first thing you look at.

[bmcecosse]

Check if there is any oil in the gearbox! Sluggish engine - all the usual checks - valve gaps/points gap/advance timing till it pinks then back off slightly - and check the vacuum advance is working. Inspect air cleaner element - and put some 3 in 1 in the carb. Pull the plugs out immediately after a good run - what colour are they ? A compression check is useful too!
Seat straps - all the usual suppliers. Mine came from Bull Motif and they are fine.

[MarkyB]

Don't like the sound of the brakes getting "softer" a bit more travel just means they need adjusting.
Softer suggest some air may be finding it's way in, and fluid out.

While you have it jacked up and before you adjust the brakes whip off the drums and examine the cylinders for any sign of fluid loss.

These cars need, and benefit, from servicing, the best plan is to do it when the sun shines .