Brake Trouble

Post by **56 Splitscreen** » Mon Apr 07, 2003 8:41 pm

Lads
Any suggestions

I have been having problems with my brakes in the last few days.

Basically the pedal looes its stiffness, and brakes are very weak,
Forced to use handbrake.

I have noticed when I start the Car, There is a loud rumble when I press on the brakes and it appears to be coming from Left wheel area.

I was talking to an old timer the other day and he says the Brake Master could be gone and its a big job getting this replaced.

Any help would be appreciated.

PS the brake problem appears to be intermitent can be fine one minute and dodgy as hell the next.

Post by **Willie** » Mon Apr 07, 2003 9:03 pm

If you can hear a loud rumble then you MUST have a look right
away . It may well be that the iron shoe is rubbing on the brake
drum because the brake lining has worn away. This must NOT be
allowed to continue, you will ruin the drum. There are some 'usual'
tests for brake trouble: are the brakes better and is the pedal
firmer when you pump the pedal rapidly? If yes then the brakes
need adjusting. If the pedal is spongey regardless of what you do
then you probably have air in the system.
Have you checked the reservoir for fluid loss?

Post by **56 Splitscreen** » Mon Apr 07, 2003 9:16 pm

Willie

I will bring it some guy this week.

Thanks for the update.
The rumble is not contstant but it is loud when occurs. Brakes not spongy all the time. Brakes are better with a bit of pumping. Appears that When I am going faster they are likely to fail. Willie have you heard of a Brake Master ??
Am I looking at much expense worst case scenario..Carb seems to be laking a bit of jiuce also if this could coincide in anyway.

Post by **Willie** » Mon Apr 07, 2003 9:37 pm

Lo, the 'Brake Master' is the Master Cylinder which pumps the brake
fluid through to the shoes when you press the pedal. it is situated
under the carpet,on the floor, below the brake pedal. You will see
a large screw cap and if you remove it you should see brake fluid inside
it up to within half an inch of the bottom of the thread. If you don't
see it then top it up IMMEDIATELY. The varying of your brake problems
could be due one or other of the brakes sticking 'ON' intermittently.
If they stick 'ON' then they would heat up quickly and ruin your stopping
power. If your brake fluid level is very low then air could have
entered your system which would give the spongey feel and you would
have to have the system 'bled'.

Post by **56 Splitscreen** » Mon Apr 07, 2003 9:58 pm

Willie as I said..I am useless..
I will bring it to mechanic thanks for help.
God Im on the way home now in it

Post by **Chris Morley** » Mon Apr 07, 2003 11:18 pm

Look Splitscreen, it's a good thing that you recognise your mechanical limitations but there are a few things all Minor owners have to know about their cars.
1) How to check and adjust the brakes 2) How to check the brake fluid level 3) regular greasing of the front suspension nipples and handbrake cables.

These are not things you forget about until a problem develops. Along with other servicing requirements, they have to be done regularly. Minors need a lot more attention than modern cars. All servicing an be done with axle stands,a simple tool set and a grease gun + car manual.

If you think you will never be able to do these things then get a qualified mechanic to service the car at least twice a year (or every 1500 miles)and perform the 3 tasks I've listed. This should identify potential problems such as almost worn out brake shoes or leaking brake pipes. If the brakes don't work properly, for god's sake don't drive the car until they are fixed - you could end up killing yourself and others.

Post by **Kevin** » Tue Apr 08, 2003 1:35 pm

Just as a guideline to cost of brake parts

Bull Motif on page 17 of Minor Matters are quoting a speicail offer on brake parts at the moment if you do need anything
Lockheed Master Cylinder £43.75, Lockheed Front Cylinders £9.95,
Lockheed Rear Cylinders £15.95
Pattern Front Cylinders £6.49, Pattern Rear Cylinders £8.95.
All these are + Vat. but they do free postage over £59.95 + Vat, and they quite often do package deals although as these are on special I would doubt it, they do not have a website but you can email them when you know what is needed bull.motif@virgin.net

Post by **56 Splitscreen** » Wed Apr 09, 2003 12:24 pm

Right.

Being honest I am mechanically challenged to say the least!
I drover her to Mechanic this morning and The brakes are fully shot at this stage
I was going 30MPH,and used the handbrake all the way in about 15 miles.
Master Cylinder seems to be the common comment on this !!
If So hope it is not that expensive as althoug I love my mog she is beginning to cost me.

Thanks for the E mail address I will sus them out,will they post to Ireland?? I will wiath and see, I have a spare set of brake Shoes !

Post by **Kevin** » Wed Apr 09, 2003 3:41 pm

They will post anywhere most of there business is mail order, I have ordered things in the past and they have arrived the next day.

Post by **56 Splitscreen** » Wed Apr 09, 2003 3:55 pm

Kevin..are you sure the E mail address is correct..I am after getting error trying to send,. thanks for the information.
Lads no news from mechanic yet,hopefully all will be ok.
What hope have I ?? we have third world roads..sick of it !!

Post by **Kevin** » Wed Apr 09, 2003 4:26 pm

Sorry Splitsceen I dont know your real name but the email address is correct, I will scan in one of there ad`s tonight and send it to you direct when I get home

Post by **56 Splitscreen** » Wed Apr 09, 2003 4:50 pm

Kevin no need at all..
The mechanic has been on..he has it fixed the thing was leaking brake fluid,,costly too the B******D.
150 euros to fix brakes and fix a leaking carb,,j***S its costly being being useless.
He says I need brake cylinders for front and back in my own time

Post by **Willie** » Wed Apr 09, 2003 8:41 pm

Sorry splitscreen,too busy polishing my own Minor!. You should
study the handbook I sent you and work your way through the
routine maintenance section. If you just have no mechanical bent
at all then it is going to cost you a good few euros to keep your
Moggie in good condition whereas,if you became proficient in what is
quite a simple maintenance programme you will not only save money
but enjoy your Minor motoring more because you have more confidence.