Getting an 1960 MM out of the garage...........

[thegibsonboys]

I have had a Morris Minor 2 door saloon languishing in my garage in Streatham for the last 10 years. My teenage sons have at last shamed me in to doing something with it and we want to get it back in good order and on the road. According to the V5, it was first registered in 1960 and has an 803cc engine (8MAU5720). I am not a mechanic (a complete understatement!) but managed to get the engine running but cannot reverse it out of the garage as the rear offside wheel is binding. I have taken the wheel off but cannot (having removed the two screws) get the drum off. Can someone please tell me how to do this - and what I am likely to need to do once I have got the drum off? We are really keen to get the car back on the road, but are rank beginners - help please!

[DAVIDMCCULLOUGH]

Welcome!

The drum will be stuck/rusted to the brake shoes, a few sharp taps with a heavy hammer might release it enough to get it to turn. Has the handbrake been on all the time it was stored? If so there is a lever at the back of the brake backing plate, again if you can get some movement on this it may help. Once you can get it to turn a bit you can release the adjuster for the brake. There is a straight screw driver slot situated about 8 oclock, so line the hole in the drum up until you can see the screwdriver slot and back it off and the wheel should turn freely.

Chances are if the car has been away all that time that all the brakes are likely to be seized or stickly, avoid pressing the brake pedal in as this could make the pistons push out and stick. I would consider fitting all new brake wheel cylinders to the car, worth it for peace of mind.

Once you get it freed off come back foe more advice!

[Dean]

Welcome.

Gibsonboys, you probably know more than I knew when I decided to get a mine on the road. These cars are quite easy to get your head around eventually.

I agree with David, best to make sure the brakes are near perfect.

like mine the brake fluid may have disappeared into a residue. Therefore, fingers crossed you don't have to but I had to replace cylinders, master cylinder and pipes....

[JOWETTJAVELIN]

A full brake overhaul is needed, without a shadow of a doubt. Rubbers will have perished, cylinder bores become rusty, cables disintegrate... For safety's sake have it done by a professional, or at least let them inspect it if you decide to do the work yourself.

The blood runs cold when the brake pedal is depressed and nothing happens.

[mike.perry]

1960? 803? Unless it is a disability car then it would be a split screen Series II. Production ended in 1956. It could be a re import.

[faversham999]

leave it parked up in the garage with the handbrake off.

[charlie_morris_minor]

A full brake overhaul is needed, without a shadow of a doubt. Rubbers will have perished, cylinder bores become rusty, cables disintegrate... For safety's sake have it done by a professional, or at least let them inspect it if you decide to do the work yourself.

The blood runs cold when the brake pedal is depressed and nothing happens.

i had my brakes done several times by professionals.. none of them managed to sort it so took the plunge and sorted it properly myself.

where abouts in the country if you are local to me i could spare a few hours to help you get the brakes off.