Drum brakes

[Sidney'61]

Hi.

I'll start with a very simple question.
To find the size of drum brakes which part do you measure? Is it just the diameter of the outside of the drum?

Secondly,
How easy is it to change the brake shoes?

[bmcecosse]

Measure the inside diameter of the drum - and yes - very easy to change shoes - just follow the manual! Obviously - from the outside diameter of the drum - you can get a very good indication of the internal size! All (standard) rear brakes are 7" diameter. Early cars are 7" fronts. later cars (63 on) are 8" front, and a lucky few have been converted to 9" fronts ex Wolseley 1500!

[aupickup]

and even more have converted to discs

[linearaudio]

and even more have converted to discs

Is there any advantage converting to discs?? (ducks down again )

[bmcecosse]

Oh - you are awful!

[mike.perry]

If the fronts are the same size as the backs then they are 7", a little bit bigger, they are 8" and if the front brakes look enormous they are 9" All Minors use the same back brakes which are different to the 7" front brakes

[Cam]

Is there any advantage converting to discs?? (ducks down again )

Yes.

Basically, the early 7" drums will stop you and if you slam them on at speed they will lock and brake just as good as any other.

However, they will heat up rather quickly and start to fade before the bigger brakes will.

It all depends on how much (and how hard) you brake. I personally use 8" drum brakes on my everyday car and I don't fade them (normally). I would more than likely be fine with 7" ones.

I have vented Ford discs on my modified car which are useful if you drive quicker or are towing. I have only faded them once but I was towing a caravan down the Kirkstone pass in the lake district!

[andrew.searston]

brakes shoes are dead simple and easy
if you have never done it before do a wheel at a time as you will have a reference by looking at one you havent done.

[mike.perry]

reference by looking at one you havent done.

Assuming the previous owner put the springs in the correct way up and in the correct holes

[PSL184]

....or just read the manual

[bmcecosse]

Yep - figs M14 and M15 on page M11 show it very clearly.

[cormorant]

Do you know I find the standard brakes perfectly ok if I am wearing decent shoes or work boots, much less so if wearing something a bit flimsy like Gucci winklepickers

[PSL184]

Gucci winklepickers

Can anyone translate

[MarkyB]

Gucci winklepickers;<br><br>

[PSL184]

Good grief !!
I'll stick to my work boots

[bmcecosse]

'Ladies' shoes - shurely ??????????

[cormorant]

'Ladies' shoes - shurely ??????????

I can't let that one go. But they do foul the parcel shelf a bit<br><br>