Rear brake cylinder. Being dumb

[OGY985K]

Hi All.
How do I free the rear cylinder from the backplate/hub? It’s some years since I owned my last Morris and I can’t remember how it clears the hub.
I’ve removed the bleed nipple assembly.
Probably a job I should have left for the moment while I’ve got such restricted movement!
Thanks for your help.
Alan

[philthehill]

You will find it easier if you pull out the half-shaft to give a bit more clearance.
Uncouple the handbrake cable, remove the feed pipe, the bleed nipple adapter union and the rubber cover from the rear of the backplate/cylinder.
Push the cylinder down to the bottom of the slot and the cylinder should be able to be removed by tilting and slipping the cylinder through the backplate slot.

[OGY985K]

Thanks Phil.
I’d forgotten how tight these are! Thankfully, the front wheel cylinders don’t need to come off.
Alan

[myoldjalopy]

It is possible to remove the cylinder without releasing the half-shaft, but it often takes a lot of wiggling around and a little judicious persuasion with a suitable hammer!

[philthehill]

If you have to use a hammer you have failed. The alloy body of the cylinder should not be subject to impact.

[geoberni]

The half shaft only needs to be moved out about 1/2", job done in 30 seconds.
So long as the car is on a level surface, the height of it being jacked up should keep all the oil in the axle.
My drive slopes to the side about 10 degrees, when I did my brakes I forgot this and ended up with oil running out the lower side....

[philthehill]

The sealing of the half-shaft gasket when pulling out the half-shaft by 1/2" and pushing it back in is helped if the gasket is greased before fitting.
A disturbed dry gasket once pulled apart can leak.
Greasing the gasket helps keep it supple over time and allows for the dismantling and assembly several times without problem.

[myoldjalopy]

If you have to use a hammer you have failed. The alloy body of the cylinder should not be subject to impact.

I did say 'judicious' use of a hammer, I wasn't suggesting you should thump it mercilessly. Last time I replaced rear wheel cylinders, a couple of years ago, one came out and in with merely wiggling, the other needed some gentle persuasion. All good since.

[OGY985K]

Funnily enough the new cylinder slotted in fine. Clearly a slight casting variation vs the old one.