Morris Minor Owners Club

Just took my car to a show at Mosney in Meath for the first time this year. Really the first time the car has been driven any distance in 08. But on the way I noticed that when I braked the car would swing quite violently to the left. I did ring a man who does work on her and a member of the IMMOC and he said that maybe either the brakes have seized on one side or I have a leak. Either way I bought some new front brake cylinders and will order some brake shoes and try and it fixed before the National.

When I brake the car swings to the left and it feels like there is no brakes or the brakes feel smooth, like theres no grip. Usually you have to use a big boot to stop a Minor but this time she just keeps going. As I say I've bought bits and going to get it fixed, but has this happened to anyone and any idea of what went wrong ? I'am presuming its the front brakes that are broken somewhere and there is a slight squeek when braking on the left hand side as well, but not sure if its front or back.

Any thoughts.

If it only happens when braking, the car will usually tend to pull in the opposite direction to the side that has a problem. It's quite possible the slave cylinders have seized through lack of use. I would check all four by taking each drum off in turn and getting an assistant to press the brake pedal while you watch to see if the cylinders move.

Probably its the brakes but while you are in there take a look at the front suspension particularly the tie rods (the bits at 45 degrees to the rest ) while you are there, just in case it isn't.

Definitely brakes - check fronts first, but it could be the rears although their effect is less dramatic. This is a safety critical item and really should be fixed before the car is used again. Whip the front drums off and have a look-see. It may just need cylinders - the shoes may be ok. But if soaked in leaking fluid they will need replacing.

So by the sounds of it, the right hand side should be faulty as its pulling to the left ? Yeah, it makes sense re seized brakes, doesn't surprise me as the car has been idle for some months. I bought a full set of front cylinders today and I'am going to order shoes tomorrow (good to have them as spares even if not needed). I checked the master cylinder fluid level and it hadn't moved, so I don't think I have a leak, so it must just be seized cylinders, hopefully. I'am going to ring a local mechanic and see if he can look at the brakes, and if not I have another contact nearby I can call.

I'll keep you posted.

Ps. It does only pulls to the left when braking, not during normal driving.

I have the car booked into a local garage to get the brakes done. He is a local mechanic who obviously works on modern cars but says he should be able to do what is required. I know of one other person locally who I think works on classic cars who I might try and approach, but failing that is there anything in particular this mechanic needs to know about Minor brakes or is it all fairly straight forward ?????

Extremely straight forward! Are you not going to have a go (or at least a look-see) yourself ? It becomes an expensive hobby if you have to pay for every little job to be done by others.

Talk to me

I must look up Hayes and see and maybe as you say look in on the work but it would be extremely handy to be able to do the simple work myself.

Doing some small tasks yourself does build your confidence, and bit by bit you will find yourself doing more - and hopfully enjoying it.

Its a great feeling to know that you have solved the problem yourself and saved a few £'s into the bargain! Go on you never know until you try!

Hmmm. I'd say that the brakes weren't the ideal place to try though

Ok, but having a look with the book as a reference guide can't do any harm, and then at least yiou've got an idea of what the mechanic is talking about.

Seconded. I just worry too much
a

Maybe another Morry owner nearby would come along and guide you (or help you) to do the work. Bit too far away for me - but must be someone near you ?? Otherwise - all the advice/encouragement you could ever require on here - there's always someone on duty!

go on have a look inside the drums,they are easy to get off,then re post with what you see or a photo.

Update - I got all the bits and the car came back from the mechanic yesterday evening. The bad news is that when I got it back the brake pedel practically went through the floor and you had to pump it to stop, so not how its ment to work. I talked to a man in the Irish club and he told me how to adjust them, so I had a firtle last night and tightened the drums up as much as they would go while still ensuring the drum moved and took her for a test spin. So shes much better now. I was able to drive her at 40mph up a road and do an emergency stop anyway, but they will need bedding in and readjusting. Hopefully I'll bring her for a long spin later and re-adjusted them if needed.

So much for the 'mechanic' then - left you with badly adjusted brakes! But - you have made that first step by adjusting your own brakes - you'll be rebuilding the engine within a week or two!

I wish ....

No hes being serious, I was 15 when I got mona, thought I would be ambitious and do the timng chain. I tried to lock the engine so I could take out the starter Dog, after thrying all the ways I could think of I jammed an allen key into the holes in the back of the flywheel, tried to undo the nut and the allen key fell into the bell housing.
A week later my dad had hired an engine hoist and out the engine came. probably over kill but got it out! lol
9 years later and shes MOT`d and im waiting for a V5. Id probably say the V5 is harder to get than the enging is to rebuild.

Well I suppose its small beginnings. One thing I would love to be able to do it to weld, as I would love to be able to cut out rotton bits and weld in new panals as needed I look at the restoration manual pictures with envy. (Gertie is ok, its the Traveller I'am thinking about)

Mig welding is relatively easy - get hold of a machine and practice practice practice. But a major tip is to get an automatic darkening helmet which makes a world of difference. Once you get the hang of it - it's like drawing a line with a pen.