Morris Minor Owners Club

It may be that your tyres are old and have gone 'hard' - that seriously degrades wet stopping performance! Also - if the rear brakes are not working well - and all the braking load is on the front wheels - they can lock up quite easily.
Do you have a servo fitted ???

Certainly old tyres will go hard and lock up easier in low grip situations but wouldn't also the larger amount of tyre contact due to the 165 section give the same effect? Same sort of senario with skinny tyres not skidding as much in snow as fatter ones?

Servo, Servo - who mentioned Servo! Now that the festive season is soon to be upon us every time someone mentions servos, disc brakes, 5 speed boxes etc an automatic post should come up 'he's behind you'

No - I think fat tyres would flatten down onto the road - and grip well under braking - possibly too well, causing the skid IF a servo is causing an ultra light pedal with no 'sensitivity'!

i don'y have a servo and the tyres look quite new lots of tread on them an no cracking or hardening, would i be better getting the right size tyres and a servo fitted? I have to admit i am beginning to get a little bit scared to drive it again in the wet!

joannebinney wrote: I have to admit i am beginning to get a little bit scared to drive it again in the wet!

Don't get too scared to drive it. I'm also new to Minor ownership and took Trev out in the dark and wet last night to contend with late rush hour traffic on the Oxford ring road. Trev's brakes operate in an advisory capacity at best unless pushed really hard, at which point they either lock up or do a Corporal Jones impression (shouting 'Don't Panic') and make a dive for the nearest ditch.

It's all part of the rich tapestry which comes from these cars and it also helps keep your blood flowing.

Simon

Joanne dont be put off with what youve read the more you drive the car the more confident you'll become Its just that many of us were born and brought up with cars like the Minor and so know what to expect. You really dont need a servo if the car has drum brakes. (yes me with the discs and servo said that) But if you need your car to feel like a more modern machine then front discs and a servo are the way to go (wont stop you sliding in the wet though). My wife hated the brakes on my Traveller until it had discs and a servo fitted now she loves it.

Thanks for that , i drive the car everyday and its only happened twice (down hill and wet) , i am totally confused over the disc brakes versus drum brakes , i'm perfectly happy with the drum brakes on a day to day basis ,it's only the sliding (crap my pants ) experience that has worried me lol, i think i will be changing the tyres though as they are the wrong size! They were on the car when i bought it (never thought to check the size) and i just expected them to be right i think i will have to get someone who knows about moggy's to give the car a check over ,if the tyres were wrong what else could be ?? even if its just for my peace of mind

Noooooooo! Don't fit a servo - the point I was making was that a servo with drums can make the pedal too light - and far more likely to lock up! I would however get the rear brakes checked over - to make sure they are doing their fair share of the braking. Otherwise - it's just a case of looking well ahead and driving 'defensively'. if you feel the tyres are ok when cornering etc then i wouldn't rush into changing them - they won't be having any bad effect on braking - unless blown up far too hard ie 40 psi or more!

Joanne what BMC suggests is correct have the brakes checked and keep the tyres until they are due for replacement. There are lots of Minor owners out their with the 'wrong' size of tyres.
When is your MOT due? it might be worthwhile having the garage that will MOT the car check it over if youre at all worried about it. Or possibly someone in your local Club Branch might be able to help.
Just keep driving and enjoy

Mt MOT is due in April , i'll ask at the next club meeting if some kindley person will have a look at for me , thanks for all the advice guys xx

Ask someone to take of a hubcap and check the rims as as it's possible you may have the later van rims fitted which will take the wider tyre, there will be a stamped marking on/by one of the hubcap lugs, if I remember correctly it's LP917.

Kevin wrote:Ask someone to take of a hubcap and check the rims as as it's possible you may have the later van rims fitted which will take the wider tyre, there will be a stamped marking on/by one of the hubcap lugs, if I remember correctly it's LP917.

and if in the unlikely event you have got them I'll buy them off you

The world loves a trier - suppose you'd want them with the tyres

IF they are the wide wheels (and they don't look it in the picture) - then the 165/70 tyres would be spot-on!

billlobban wrote:The world loves a trier - suppose you'd want them with the tyres

Naturally

ive looked under the hubcaps but ican't find any markings at all , but there is a few layers of paint lol