Brake lining trouble - beware of Willow!

[rogerowen]

I recently fitted new front brake linings (7”) to my daughters 1960 948, but they screeched, and juddered badly even after a few hundred miles. I took them off again and found that they were only showing contact marks on the first inch or so of the leading and trailing edges. Coincidently, a wheel cylinder had leaked – soaking the new linings, so I ordered a new set of linings and thought it might be a good idea to get new drums too. I decided to order from another supplier in the hope that the newer linings would be of better quality. Unfortunately, the same make of linings arrived and I thought I might just offer them up to the new drums to check the fit. I found that only the leading and trailing edges were making contact and there was a gap between lining and drum that increased to about 2mm at the centre. I also checked these linings and the previous set against the original ones and could easily see that the curvature of the metal part of the shoe was different – a wider radius. Giving the problem with the first set I decided to sand down the ends of the new linings until the centre portion made contact with the drum. On fitting to the car I now discover that I have no spare adjustment – adjusters wound right up and drums still turning.
It has been suggested by my suppliers that this may have been a bad batch, but I would advise anyone changing their lining to check the new ones against the drum before fitting them.
I’m now going to see if there are alternate makes available or get my very original shoes re-lined.[frame][/frame]

[bmcecosse]

Shocking tale of incompetence from the suppliers - well done researching it to find the problem.

[JOWETTJAVELIN]

Always a good idea to save the original shoes and have a new lining put on rather than buy complete new shoes.

[MarkyB]

Where do you get them done or buy linings?

[les]

----and the rivets, not seen this stuff for ages. Them were the days, when you could sort yourself out! We can't be trusted now.

[DAVIDMCCULLOUGH]

There is a company local to me that relines and re-manufactures clutches that can also do brake lining.

I notice that ESM also do Mintex brake linings, they are more expensive but may be a better bet. I generally look out for old stock brakes shoes at the national or at autojumbles.

[chesney]

We got our hands on a huge rivet press on eBay for around £5, and now are able to fit nos linings and rivets to the Jeeps, Diamond T, GMC and M3 Halftrack. Very cost effective (because they work - and buying new brake shoes for a Diamond T is either impossible or expensive ).
So, can be done, I was going to experiment and see if the same can be done with Mog shoes.

[rogerowen]

There is a company local to me that relines and re-manufactures clutches that can also do brake lining.

I notice that ESM also do Mintex brake linings, they are more expensive but may be a better bet. I generally look out for old stock brakes shoes at the national or at autojumbles.

Yes, I did another google search and found the Mintex linings on ESM - got to be worth the extra £7, but with VAT and post we are up to more than £32. Still, brakes that work uis kind of important.

PS to my problem; We are running the Moggie on the latest Willow shoes (sanded to fit properly and adjusters wound right up) and the new brake drums, and guess what - they've started sqealing already! Hopefully I'll get a refund.

[rogerowen]

Ha Ha! 2nd supplier [] (where I got the second set of defective linings from) won't give a refund because I've tried to make the linings fit by sanding them down - Which is exactly what the suppliers of the first set had infact suggested I try. We're doomed!

[smithskids]

I have used ESMs Mintex on my MM and Pickup and they seemed ok the problem I had was with the new front brake drums for the pickup. They were 7 7/8inch dia. instead of 8 inches so I had to remachine them out to 8 inches to get the new shoes in. They are ok now.

[rogerowen]

I have used ESMs Mintex on my MM and Pickup and they seemed ok the problem I had was with the new front brake drums for the pickup. They were 7 7/8inch dia. instead of 8 inches so I had to remachine them out to 8 inches to get the new shoes in. They are ok now.

That's interesting - think I should check my new drums, but then if they were smaller I shouldn't have the adjustment problem. Did you measure your drums with sopecial tools? Or just tape measure? Will probably go for the Mintex linings (come pay-day!).

[bmcecosse]

7 7/8" is just ridiculous......The suppliers really should be named and shamed on that one.........

[moggiethouable]

We got our hands on a huge rivet press on eBay for around £5, and now are able to fit nos linings and rivets to the Jeeps, Diamond T, GMC and M3 Halftrack. Very cost effective (because they work - and buying new brake shoes for a Diamond T is either impossible or expensive ).
So, can be done, I was going to experiment and see if the same can be done with Mog shoes.

I think this would be a terrific idea.
From what has been said the benefits would be two fold, Minor owners would benefit from shoes that fit (the cinderella syndrome) and you would from all accounts have a captive and grateful market.
Go for it.

[chesney]

We got our hands on a huge rivet press on eBay for around £5, and now are able to fit nos linings and rivets to the Jeeps, Diamond T, GMC and M3 Halftrack. Very cost effective (because they work - and buying new brake shoes for a Diamond T is either impossible or expensive ).
So, can be done, I was going to experiment and see if the same can be done with Mog shoes.

I think this would be a terrific idea.
From what has been said the benefits would be two fold, Minor owners would benefit from shoes that fit (the cinderella syndrome) and you would from all accounts have a captive and grateful market.
Go for it.

Will see about giving it a go ;)
Fortunately, linings and rivets seem relatively common on eBay
Unfortunately, I can't find any for 8 inch drums Will have to look up alternative motors that use the same lining.

[bmcecosse]

These say W 1500 rear - which is same drums as Minor 8" front...... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/brake-shoe-li ... 20d0b24cf8

[chesney]

Many thanks all, will see what can be done..

[smithskids]

Rogerowen, I used an inside micrometer, reason for new drums was external rust and previous owners use of large hammers to remove drums and half the rim flanges!!. The bores were ok only 0.010inch wear. smithskids

[drivewasher]

Really? Sanding down new shoes is a bit like cutting a slice of a loaf of bread so as to get it into the bag!

As an aside I have seen a manual where it shows a dill hole at the end of a hacksawn slot on the sho "brace" to stop brake squeal and vibration. It obviosly acheaves this by reducing the diamiter of the shoe under braking pressure.

[les]

There is an acknowledgement to that on the shoes, in the form of a smooth 'V' cut out, although not cut as deep as the lining platform.

[bmcecosse]

But the force is applied to the shoe at the ends - so tending to open the slot!