REAR BRAKE CYLINDER

[welshrat]

IN THE PROCESS OF PUTTING THE MINOR BACK ON THE ROAD, ITS BEEN SAT IN THE GARRAGE FOR FIVE YEARS. CHECKED THE REAR BRAKES TODAY, PASSENGERS SIDE SHOE LININGS ARE SOAKED WITH EITHER BRAKE FLUID OR OIL, THIS FLUID HAD ALSO FORCED ITS WAY BETWEEN THE CENTRE HOLE OF THE BRAKE DRUM AND THE DRIVE SHAFT END AND SPRAYED THE INSIDE OF MY WHEEL. PROBLEM IS I DO NOT APPEAR TO HAVE LOST ANY BRAKE FLUID AND THERE IS NO SIGNS SUGGESTING THE CYLINDER IS LEAKING. COULD THIS FLUID BE OIL FROM THE REAR AXLE, MUST SAY IT IS MORE LIKE OLD BRAKE FLUID THAN AXLE OIL BUT ITS PROBABLY BEEN SAT IN THE REAR DRUM SINCE I PARKED IT UP. ANY TIPS ON CONFIRMING WHETHER OR NOT ITS THE CYLINDER OR AXLE LEAKING.

ONE MORE QUESTION, HOW THE HELL DO YOU REMOVE THE REAR BRAKE CYLINDER FROM THE BACKPLATE, DISCONECTED PIPES AND CABLE BUT THERES NO WAY IT WILL COME OUT, THE INSIDE PART OF THE BODY FOULS AGAINST THE DRIVE SHAFTS (THE BACK SIDE OF WHERE THE WHEEL STUDS ARE). I KNOW IT MUST COME OUT BECAUSE I PUT IT IN ABOUT TEN YEARS AGO, WHAT HAVE I FORGOTTEN?

REGARDS,

JOHN

[MarkyB]

Please turn the CAPS LOCK off.

The chances are it's oil, unless the cylinder is leaking.
If it stinks, it's definately oil.

Turn the hub till there is minimum overlap and give the cylinder a gentle tap with a hammer.

[bmcecosse]

If the rear cylinders have been lying unused for 10 years - they WILL be seized - so renew them both anyway - and new shoes. It's almost certainly axle oil - so a good clean and pop the half shaft out to inspect the paper gasket/O ring seal. Could be the rear hub bearings are a bit loose and/or the big nut is loose - worth checking. Note LH thread on the nearside....

[welshrat]

Thank you, I will do some checking. The two rear cylinders were not seized, new about 10 years ago, drove it for five years (summer only, approx 100 miles per year) and has been off the road for about five years. Will double check everything to make sure though.

[bmcecosse]

I'm amazed they aren't seized........

[beero]

I had trouble getting the rear cylinders out until I undid the 4 bolts holding the backplate on.

[welshrat]

I stand corrected, both rear cylinders are for the bin, hope to change them next weekend.