Morris Minor Owners Club

Just fitted new front 8* brake drums and shoes, but even though I slackened the adjusters to the minimum setting both drums were a very tight fit and it's as if I'm driving with the brakes half on. I only drove it a few hundred yards to see if they would bed in but they're heating up. I remember having a similar problem with a Ford Escort MkI I had years ago, and I ended up having to grind a little of the metal part of the shoes down to make them fit. Is it just a case of poorly made shoes/drums, or am I missing something? The place I bought them from is a well known supplier who advertises these as "superior quality" items.

ive had this in the past are the wheel cylinders moving freely,ive read some people file the leading edge of the show down a bit ,im sure some one with more knowledge than me will be on soon ,you do have to let them bed in .

The wheel cylinders were all brand new Lockheed items fitted last October and are all working fine. Also fitted brand new springs. The adjusters are the original items but are not seized and look in excellent condition. Got a feeling that a little grinding might be the only answer.

If you are sure the cylinders aren't partly stuck open - then yes, tale the leading edge off the shoes and try again.

I had the earler adjusters fitted (7'') and it worked think the shoes were to big

The cylinders are definitely not sticking, and the amount of brake binding is exactly the same on both wheels. I like the idea of using 7* adjusters, and I happen to have a set as these brakes are an upgrade from 7* ones I had on until last year. I'll try that in the morning and report back. Thanks all for the help.

I have the same problem on my 53 Series II with MM style hub/drums. I put it down to the inaccuracy of modern parts. Since fitting new shoes when I re did the front end recently I have had the front shoes rubbing against the drums, which I think then heats them up, makes them swell and bind on the drums. On stopping I found the RH side virtually locked tight. I have had to release the adjusters all the way which has cured the problem on LH side but still getting some rubbing on RH side. It could be due to a sticking cylinder I suppose, but unlikely to be happening on both sides at once and only since fitting new shoes.

I have had lots of probs with tolerances on new re-manufactured parts, especially for the Series II. as an example I recently ordered new wiper blades only to find that the rubber bungs which hold them to the arms were too big to fit through. Comparing to originals the hole in the new blades was much smaller than the original.

I fitted the 7" brake adjusters but there was very little difference, so I replaced the 8" ones and ground around 1.5mm off the leading edge ends and it has cured the problem. I'm not sure which of the new components is to blame, but I suspect it was the new shoes as that's what it was on the Escort I used to have. You would think that if a manufacturer goes to all that trouble to make these components that they would at least ensure they were made to the right size.

Hi Dryad, when I replaced all my cylinders and shoes I had to "tailor" fit the new shoes I bought. The drum simply would not go over the new shoes. After the simple home made mod with a file all brakes work wonderfully now!

At least it isn't just me then! The funny thing was that the drum slid over the new shoes with just a little tightness, but it was only when I replaced gthe two crosshead screws that the drum became almost seized. At least the solution is only 20 minutes work.

No Dryad, happened to me today as well!

Were all these shoes sourced from a common supplier - I wonder?

bmcecosse wrote:Were all these shoes sourced from a common supplier - I wonder?

...or perhaps they are the same brand.

Big well known supplier, but can't remember the brand. What annoyed me at the time was I kept questioning my sanity and took the brakes apart and together over four times. I even took a picture to my local Minor parts supplier to check I'd put everything together correctly. I wish I had purchased from them as I could have taken them back and exchanged.... instead I chose to modify which essentially is wrong.

bmcecosse wrote:Were all these shoes sourced from a common supplier - I wonder?

Just got them from BullMotif

Solved my problem!
I have used new shoes and new wheel cylinders (Lockheed) and I found that the wheel cylinders were fouling the shoes (on the trailing side) stopping them sliding freely from side to side. I have ground off the corner of the wheel cylinder where the larger of the 2 bolts screw in and the shoe will now slide over towards the adjuster (leading side)
If anyone wants clarification PM me and I will send a photo.

Ahh - good detective work!

Thanks BMC ( Yes, I am wearing my smug face at the moment! )

I just bought some new front shoes from BM and I can't get the drum on, despite the adjusters being slacked off and thre springs correctly located. Has anyone got a pic of where to file the shoes so that I can get the drum on? Would rather check first than go merrily filing in the wrong place and render the brakes ineffective!! Seems ridiculous that you have to resort to such measures when you buy supposed superior parts!

Compare the new shoes to the old ones that came off! If they are the SAME - that can't be the problem. If not the same - make them so!