Morris Minor Owners Club

OK don't laugh, you've seen this one so many times!! but wait, this is not a restoration project. I was driving my everyday Minor when the rear brakes started binding. After a mile or so I stopped, and promptly stalled the engine when I tried to pull away again, the brakes were locked solid.
Both rear wheels were hot. I am assuming that both handbrake linkages could not seize up at the same time! So I rather suspect a problem in the master cylinder. The front brakes are NOT binding, but these are non-standard Marina disc brakes with servo assistance.

Any ideas?

Servo problem I suspect.......assuming there is a little freeplay at the pedal......

Hi,

Mine rears have started binding too, one side is ok,the near side is binding so going to replace both cylinders each side today and also a new set of shoes on both sides.
A simple check is to remove the drum on the offending side and get someone to operate the footbrake and handbrake to check the cylinder is operating the shoes ok.

I think it is false economy to just do one side as more than likley the other side will fail soon after plus it will keep the brakes balanced with new shoes and cylinders.

Hope this helps

Richard

When you fit the new cylinders - do slacken back the hand brake cables, then set up the brakes and adjust up in the drums, then fit the cables and adjust them up to put the handle where you like it. Some like 2 clicks - some a few more.

Some servos have two outlets, some have one. If yours is a twin outlet then it's a good chance that one of the lines is not releasing (e.g. partly blocked or blocked one way).
If you think it's hydraulically locked and that's holding the rear brakes, then when you have the issue again, jack up one wheel quarter of an inch off the ground and release the bleed nipple - if the wheel instantly frees up, it's a hydraulic issue - if it doesn't then it's the cylinder itself.

Minor rear cylinders are very prone to seize as the handbrake lever enters directly into the piston area. Spares centres sell the cylinders without the handbrake boot (splash & dirt guard) so unless you remember to buy them in addition, then the new ones won't last as long as they are meant to.

Are you sure it's not the coil?

I'll get my coat...

It's happened to me again! So locked up that the engine stalled in first gear. Found the front wheels were hot, not the back so I assumed it was the discs, but no I found the car could be pushed easily backwards! which suggests trailing shoe problems.

Everything is back in order after about 12 hours. The problem arose after about 5 miles of urban driving.

No, I haven't checked the servo Ray, I'm so scared I wont be able to get repair kits for it!, don't know what the servo's off, I bought the car like that.

When fitting disc brakes -the master cylinder must be modified by removing a seal internally - otherwise the brakes drag on...... One of the problems of fitting disc brakes. If the front wheels are hot - that's where the problem lies.......

bmcecosse wrote:When fitting disc brakes -the master cylinder must be modified by removing a seal internally - otherwise the brakes drag on...... One of the problems of fitting disc brakes. If the front wheels are hot - that's where the problem lies.......

Ray, I'm aware of that thanks, the servo has been performing successfully since 2008 withput any modification to the maseter cylinder since. So not that