Brake fade

[apiliavsky]

Hello all,
I am a new owner of Morris 1000 (1970) and am brand new to this forum! Driving around this weekend I felt a brake problem (albeit, it was [Don't swear or you will be banned - Admin] down loads): there is very little action on them when I press the brake pedal the first time, but they work reasonably when pressed again. I imagine this may be a fluid problem. Any ideas? Also, I have never done any work on a Morris (or on any car at all!) and have no idea how to replace brake fluid and what sort of fluid I would need? This is all very amateurish, but I hope somebody can give me advice. Alternatively, I live in Cambridge and was wondering whether anyone's got any advice on fixies here. Many thanks, Anastasia

[PSL184]

Sounds like air in the brake lines. They probably just need bleeding. Search on here for brake bleeding - there are lots of threads.

[beero]

I have never done any work on a Morris (or on any car at all!) and have no idea how to replace brake fluid and what sort of fluid I would need?

You probably have air in the system or the shoes need adjustment. If you have never done ANY work on cars then brakes are not a good place to start. I would advise, for your safety, that you get a garage to sort it for you. Perhaps someone local to you can recommend a good garage.
And welcome to the forum.

[LouiseM]

Welcome to the messageboard Anastasia.

I agree with Beero. Don't try tackling a safety critical area such as the brakes if you have no previous experience of working on cars.

Your nearest Minor specialist garage is probably Minor Services in Ely Tel: 01353 662485.

Alternatively contact the Cambridge branch of the MMOC to see if they can recommend a good local garage, or there may even be someone local who would take a look at the car for you. The contact person is Kevin Bye. Email: byekev6 (at) gmail (dot) com

[bmcecosse]

I don't think it would be brake FADE - that only happens with continuous hard use (mountain pass descent at speed) - as others have suggested - adjustment and air removal. But you will benefit from getting a Workshop Manual (search the internet) - and if possible - enroll in a car maintenance class.

[apiliavsky]

Thanks a million! Will pop over to Ely (Witchford, apparently, to be exact) to see what can be done. And glad to be on the FORUM! Anastasia

[bmcecosse]

I really don't think you should drive it with brakes as bad as you describe........

[apiliavsky]

Brakes fixed! It needed a replacement of the master cylinder. Many thanks for the advice. Anastasia

[bmcecosse]

I very much doubt that was the problem....... but the subsequent bleeding will have brought the pedal up.......

[liammonty]

Glad to hear that you got it fixed. I suspect there's a fair chance there could have been a problem with the master cylinder, as well as the brakes needing adjusting. I also think that the person at Minor Services (who has a good reputation) would be in a better position to decide what the problem was than some of the 'doubters' who haven't actually seen your car who've posted on here! It's good that you've got it sorted, as brakes are quite important!

[bmcecosse]

Master cylinders generally work well - or not at all....... But - there's always an exception I suppose.......

[MarkyB]

I'd have to disagree, they can get to that stage where they still seem to work but if you just rest your foot on the pedal it will slowly sink.
When you try to bleed the system, you can't get all the air out as more gets introduced through the worn seals.

[bmcecosse]

Yes - sinking pedal would do it - but then it won't 'pump up' - but as above I wasn't there and can only hope the 'experts' decided that was indeed the problem, and that the brakes didn't just need a good adjusting/bleeding!