Help with Brakes Please!!!

[manxminor]

I am getting my newly acquired Traveller ready for it's Isle of Man Government test, and I have adjusted the brakes, ensured the cylinders and cables are not seized, checked the shoes but no matter what I do, with some effort I can still push the car with the handbrake on. The drums lock up when I turn the adjuster as far as it will go clockwise, I then back it off one click but still no good, could it be cheap shoes as they were replaced a few months before I bought it? If possible could anyone recommend a good make of shoe, I am thinking Mintex? Or do I need to adjust them so that they are slightly binding and wear down a bit? But at the moment it would not pass any brake test. Any help or advice would be appreciated.

[bmcecosse]

The rear cylinders probably ARE seized - how do you KNOW they are not? But to adjust rear brakes - you first slacken back the cables at the handbrake lever (and worth greasing the cables at the nipple half way along..) - check the cylinders are free to slide in the backplate , then you adjust up the brakes in the drum till just lightly rubbing. Now put the wheels on and get someone to press the brake pedal - can you turn the wheel ?? Assuming all ok - then you adjust up the cables to put the lever where you want it. The shoes will be fine - as long as they are not contaminated with oil. With new cylinders and shoes -the handbrake should lock the wheels on a dry road at 20 mph.

[manxminor]

If I pull on the brake cylinder lever that attaches to the cable, it certainly moves and the hub is difficult to move, so assuming as they look like new and the brakes are being applied that the cylinders are OK, just no real bite, the cables have been tightened a fair bit following the Haynes manual as you have described? They certainly do not lock at 20mph. The previous owner had new shoes fitted because he was experiencing problems, could the hubs be worn?

[bmcecosse]

No - but do the cylinders slide? Are the handbrake cables seized?

[manxminor]

Just got the missus to push the brake pedal whilst I tried to turn the wheels whilst the car was jacked up. I could just about turn the drivers side, but the passenger side was quite easy to turn. So new wheel cylinders in order I think. Thanks for your advice. I will jack up the front tomorrow and do the same just in case. Thanks again.

[bmcecosse]

Yes - for all they cost - a pair of new rears will see the back brakes sorted for a few years. Try your local autoparts place - they may be cheaper and faster than mail ordering them.

[manxminor]

Will do and thanks again.

Steve

[manxminor]

Hi all

I have now changed all the wheel cylinders, and ensured the handbrake cables are greased and working freely, but still having problems locking the wheels on the handbrake at 20mph, could it be that the new linings need to be worn in? I also need to re-bleed the brake system as I still need to pump twice initially to get the front brakes to lock up? The brakes are far better than they were, Any suggestions welcome?

Regards

Steve

[Dean]

The backing plate where the rear cylinder sits has an elongated hole, like BMC says are you sure the cylinder slides freely in the hole. It's the sliding of the cylinder that helps to lock the rear brakes. Sometimes the hole gets go'ed up with road dirt and the cylinder doesn't slide the full distance.

[bmcecosse]

Yes - new linings could do with running in. The connection of cable to lever should be able to swivel - not bolted up tight. Be sure to slacken the brake cables - then adjust up the brakes on the cams - then finally tighten up the cables to put the hand lever exactly where you want it. The double pump suggests you still need to adjust up all the brakes some more - and probably another bleeding.

[manxminor]

Thanks, I will keep at it and will definitely check the handbrake connections for the swivel.

All the best

Steve

[bmcecosse]

Don't worry too much about 'locking the wheels' - that obviously depends on the tyre and road surface grip. As long as you cannot turn the wheels by hand with the hand brake applies and the wheels up off the ground.

[manxminor]

Happy bunny as I now have brakes, thanks for the advice.

Steve

[bmcecosse]

Great success!

[MarkyB]

I now have brakes "

Highly recommended! Good work.