Morris Minor Owners Club

The wheel cylinder is not moving far enough to exert sufficient force (to hold the wheel).

With new drums, shoes and cables I get no action on one side. The hydraulics work. Neither side has a new back plate or return springs, one side does have a new cylinder.

It seems one cylinder is not sliding correctly on the back plate. The action occurring when I actuate the lever projecting from the wheel cylinder is minute. The other side works. Any suggestions as to which part is most likely to have failed?


PS Driving through town the other day someone said 'I bet that's your pride and joy'. No surprises there, but same area next day a bloke stood at the pavement edge and applauded. Shame I couldn't stop...

The wheel cylinder must be seized internally - assuming it's not the end of it's travel of course. The hydraulic piston sits under (well -over actually because of the way it sits in the backplate..) and if it's partially seized out - it will be limiting the travel of the mechanical piston. I would strip off the shoes, disconnect the cable and clamp the cylinder fully closed with a G clamp to see the 'closed' position.