Rear brakes

[Nax]

1971 minor J reg 1098 cc
Just checking my rear brakes, all looks as it should with recent new shoes and cylinders but there are no beehive springs fitted
is this normal for this late model or should I fit some?

[svenedin]

For lots of arguments regarding beehive springs, whether they are essential or not, search this forum.

All Minors had rear brake beehive springs. It makes no difference if the car is a late one.

They are often left off because they can be annoying to fit and remove. Fitting them is recommended. A tool makes the job easier. It so happens that a tool designed for use on a modern car does the job perfectly: viewtopic.php?p=714886&hilit=beehive+sp ... ol#p714886

Stephen

[Nax]

Thanks I will get them ordered.

[Bill_qaz]

You may find the springs from some suppliers the open leg of the hook is too long making fitting difficult/ stroke impossible if longer than the backplate appature. I struggled until realising the issue with new springs, shortening the leg by cutting a bit off with a hacksaw made fitting easy. See post for illustration of the issue.
viewtopic.php?p=713588&hilit=Beehive+Spring#p713588

[Nax]

Thanks Bill, I will watch out for that.
I may have to change the half shaft seals, I left the wheel off over night and in the morning their was a pool of axle oil on the floor,
looks like the half shaft is only held in by the wheel and wheel nuts.

[svenedin]

The half-shaft is held in by 1x screw (diagram part number 87) when the wheel and drum are off.

As you have a late Minor it should have the modified rear hubs that have both a half-shaft gasket and a rubber o-ring. It is very possible that the o-ring has perished so that oil now leaks when the wheel and drum are off but check the tightness of the screw in the half-shaft flange. If you are lucky all you need to do is tighten the screw. To tighten this type of screw I like to use a Draper impact screwdriver (the type you hit with a hammer) but not for impact, just because it has a chunky handle and the bits do not slip in the screw head. It is also an excellent tool for removing seized brake drum screws using the impact function.

Stephen

Screenshot 2026-04-18 at 18.59.24.png (587.61 KiB) Viewed 2470 times

IMG_1669.jpeg (1.55 MiB) Viewed 2465 times

[Bill_qaz]

The half-shaft is held in by 1x screw (diagram part number 87) when the wheel and drum are off.

As you have a late Minor it should have the modified rear hubs that have both a half-shaft gasket and a rubber o-ring. It is very possible that the o-ring has perished so that oil now leaks when the wheel and drum are off but check the tightness of the screw in the half-shaft flange. If you are lucky all you need to do is tighten the screw. To tighten this type of screw I like to use a Draper impact screwdriver (the type you hit with a hammer) but not for impact, just because it has a chunky handle and the bits do not slip in the screw head. It is also an excellent tool for removing seized brake drum screws using the impact function.

Stephen


Screenshot 2026-04-18 at 18.59.24.png


IMG_1669.jpeg

Stephen, you can also use the bits from the draper impact tool on standard 1/2 inch socket set, so you can use the bit on a T bar for example, to get good tightening torque without impacting.

[svenedin]

The half-shaft is held in by 1x screw (diagram part number 87) when the wheel and drum are off.

As you have a late Minor it should have the modified rear hubs that have both a half-shaft gasket and a rubber o-ring. It is very possible that the o-ring has perished so that oil now leaks when the wheel and drum are off but check the tightness of the screw in the half-shaft flange. If you are lucky all you need to do is tighten the screw. To tighten this type of screw I like to use a Draper impact screwdriver (the type you hit with a hammer) but not for impact, just because it has a chunky handle and the bits do not slip in the screw head. It is also an excellent tool for removing seized brake drum screws using the impact function.

Stephen


Screenshot 2026-04-18 at 18.59.24.png


IMG_1669.jpeg

Stephen, you can also use the bits from the draper impact tool on standard 1/2 inch socket set, so you can use the bit on a T bar for example, to get good tightening torque without impacting.

Thank you Bill. I didn't know that!

Stephen

[jaekl]

The extra hole in the brake drum is used to further tighten the half shaft screw once the drum screws are tight now that the O-ring is more uniformly clamped. There is no need for excessive torque.

[svenedin]

The extra hole in the brake drum is used to further tighten the half shaft screw once the drum screws are tight now that the O-ring is more uniformly clamped. There is no need for excessive torque.

Yes very good point

Stephenn