Brake issues after raising suspension

[oddbod]

Hiya all,just finished raising our moggies suspension by lowering the rear suspension arm 1 spline on the Torsion Bar, and changing fulcrum pins and eyebolt bushes. It feels like quite an achievement to me and my 2 teenage sons, I know to some of you its probably a 15 minute job,but I dont think much had been touched for a number of years,however that job has been tackled and, apart from "trimming" at the rear end of the Tbar, ticked off the to do list.However on taking the car out to shake down the suspension, I am not happy with the brakes. There seems to be too much travel on the pedal before anything happens,and when the brakes do work they are not very convincing. As the brakes were fine before we did the suspension,what could have happened and what size is the big square nut on top of the master cylinder,my adjustable spanner is just threatening to round it off

[simmitc]

Altering the suspension will not affect the brakes at all. The only possibility is that you knocked the bleed screw or flexible brake pipe and introduced some air - highly unlikely. Of some concern is the "big square nut" - there isn't one The filler plug has a hexagonal top. Photo please!

[bmcecosse]

Well done with the suspension - I wouldn't worry about 'trimming' - it will only open a whole new kettle of worms...... DO drain and refill the dampers with SAE 40 oil (or 30 if that's all you can find). And I agree - can't see any brake connection. Adjust them up and perhaps a bit of bleeding won't go wrong - maybe enough to run all new fluid through all the pipes. Dunno the size of that cap - I just have it finger tight.

[oddbod]

The filler nut on top of the brake master cylinder on my 1965 1098 moggie 2 door is square shaped and takes a 22mm open spanner, or 1/2" Whitworth open ( that is assuming the master cylinder is under my left heel when driving) I topped up with dot4 fluid and a transformation has taken place in the amount of brake travel before action, there is now very little brake pedal travel. I have driven the car a bit today,to shake down the suspension a bit more, dont worry BMC I wont fiddle with any trimming until I've had 3 or 4 Pie eaters in to see what effect that has on the slight "one side higher than the other issues". The amount of satisfaction I got from finishing this job has surpassed anything I expected. Driving Moderns for a few years has insulated me from the hands on "pleasure?" I remember from doing my own repairs in the past. Thanks for the support and advice peeps,I'm sure I'll need loads more in the near future.MOT April 12th!!!!!!!!!!

[mike.perry]

The master cylinder cap normally has a hex on the top which fits a 14mm plug spanner or 13/16 socket

[JOWETTJAVELIN]

Use a plug spanner on the m/cyl as Mr. Perry says. You can't round it off with one of those.

[oddbod]

Master Cylinder plug on mine is square,and it undoes with a 22mm or 1/2" Whitworth spanner. I will try and post a photo this week, Techno Gods permitting!

[JOWETTJAVELIN]

In that case, don't use a plug spanner!