Morris Minor Owners Club

having now fitted the morris with wolseley front brakes even though not yet beded in what a difference, well worth the effort and not to expencive to do, suspencion is next but not till after christmas,,grandad

Recently fitted Wolseley brakes on my traveller, I agree they are a great improvement but still have the same feel as standard brakes, they just stop better if you push a bit harder.

mike.perry wrote:Recently fitted Wolseley brakes on my traveller, I agree they are a great improvement but still have the same feel as standard brakes, they just stop better if you push a bit harder.

yes i amvery happy so far as i said they have to bed in now ,modern cars do you no favores with the brakes just touch and they will stand on there nose . so hopefully it can only get better as they bed in ,,,grandad

Well done ! Best value modification you can make to a Minor. I've been preaching the sermon for a while now. Someone should come up with a kit of new parts to do it! Would sell like hot cakes.
Just out of interest - how long would you say it took your 'elderly mechanic' to fit the brakes ?

hello i prepared drums cylindersto make sure they were ok,actual time fittingfrom wheels off to back on just one and half hours and two coffees, i did the drums on fridayto save time today so that probably took about3/4 of an hour, i cleaned drums removed cylinders from drums copper greasedboltsmade new back plate pipes put new shoes on ready,it allrealy went well for a change. willbe looking to upgrade front suspencion after christmas,,,grandad

That's about right time ! Two coffees! I assume one as while waiting for the brakes to bleed out!
What upgrade do you plan for the suspension ? I would suggest drain the front dampers - and refill with 20W50 oil - you won't be disappointed.

hello i just thougt that the shock absorber kit would give better ride and take the pot holes a bit better i do look out for dodgy road surfuces but sometime we cant avoid.but i will try your sugestion probably do sunday. i did do it on the previous morris and certanly was better,, how much oil do they take,,,,grandad

Very little - but worth doing it twice - first time to 'wash out' all the old oil - then second time, say a week later to make sure it's all new oil in the damper. Obviously straight 30 or straight 40 oil will give stiffer damping than the '20' grade 20W50 oil. It never gets hot - so the '50' doesn't apply in the damper. A pint will be plenty!

i will give that a try, is it realy necessary to remove the back ones to drain and refill thanks,,grandad

Grandad, I'll be fitting my Wolseley drums soon - Did you use the Wolseley cylinders or Minor ones?

One side at the back really must come off because it sits at an angle - the other would be ok on the car I think.

hello we used the wolseley as they were ok i did re rubber them also fitted series1/2/3, hillman minx shoes they are identical in every way no conversion at all,just another shoe that fits,very easy conversion at not a lot of money for extra safety,,grandad

grumpygrandad wrote:hello we used the wolseley as they were ok i did re rubber them also fitted series1/2/3, hillman minx shoes they are identical in every way no conversion at all,just another shoe that fits,very easy conversion at not a lot of money for extra safety,,grandad

right we will have a look ,,brandad

That's excellent Grandad - Where did you get the seal kits from? Just one little thing - Could you rename this thread "Fitting Fantastic Wolseley Brakes" - that way I will be able to find it easier in the future when I come back to it when fitting mine... Thanks

sorry dont know how to change heading on post, just rember fantastic,,grandad

OK will try - Where did you get seal kits from?

rubbers from ems but bmc said i think A35, WILL DO check thatwith him, another mate got them for his wolseley but sold it before fitting them, bmc said bull motif ,and may be cheaper there,,,grandad

Bull certainly advertise the repair kits for Austin A40 front wheel cylinders which seem to be the same. I haven't bought from them - so check with them that they are for 0.800 diameter cylinders!
I have both W cylinder set and M cylinder set - the M cylinders are larger bore and I feel the pedal is too light and too much braking effort goes into the front wheels, and not enough to the rears. So I suggest using the W cylinders if you can get them working. New W cylinders don't seem to be readily available - re-sleeved ones are offered - but at a PRICE!

hello again will wolseler rear brakes go straight on to morris and would there be any advantage just curios ,not going to do though.

Yes -they go on - and they are great! Slight mod required with the handbrake cable - and I can't remember what it is - since I did this more than 40 years ago. But it's nothing major. Well worth while - great for handbrake turns!