Morris Minor Owners Club

Can anyone tell me what size the 2 screws on the rear brake drums are, please? Will the usual Minor parts places stock them?

Turns out they're missing on my Minor and I'm keen to replace them asap. Incidentally, is there any chance of not having them contributing to oil leaking out of the half shafts? Changed the oil seals and gaskets, but haven't filled up with oil yet - would rather wait until everything's present and done properly.

Thanks, CW

is there any chance of not having them contributing to oil leaking out of the half shafts?

doubt it. I've seen loads of them missing, I'm sure they serve some function, just not sure what.

Andrew

They hold the drum in place when you take the wheel off. They cannot affect the oil in the axle, and all the specialists stock them.

I think 5/16 unf - but they are really not necessary - they do nothing once the wheel is bolted on.

One of those screws secures the half shaft to the hub and is the only thing which stops the oil gushing out WHEN THE BRAKE DRUM IS REMOVED. When the drum is replaced the further two screws complete the job and then the wheel nuts finish it all off securely. You can fill the axle without the screws but DON'T run the car as you will get a bad leak when you next remove the wheels. I am assuming that you realise that there are THREE of those screws in each rear hub.

That's a screw UNDER the brake drum - yes it should be present.

the two screws that hold the brake drum are available in most Minor places,i have one missing in my rear drum because it looks like there is the remains of an old one in the hole.i found that it can affect the easy spinning of the drum with the wheel off,but once the wheel is bolted on all is well.

On the later Minis, Rover saved a fortune by only fitting one screw on each brake drum. But they still drilled and tapped two holes in the hub - and drilled two holes in the drum!!!! No wonder they went bust - with thinking like that!