Morris Minor Owners Club

DAVIDMCCULLOUGH wrote:I think you have the later backing plate and cylinders fitted, the earlier cylinder is like this one

http://morrisminorspares.co.uk/shop/pro ... f4c81c46a3

and up until fairly recently were very hard to get and costed about £60ish. These pattern ones are a lot cheaper.

David,
I do have the later backing plates and the later Lockheed cylinders.
[frame][/frame]
Unfortunately, they were both seized. I have freed (and cleaned up) the one that was nearest the front but, alas, the other one is totally siezed and application of loads of heat, after trying PlusGas, has not shifted the piston (but the top plate came off - before trying the heat applications)[frame][/frame] There was no rubber O ring seal on this one.
I have a set of "pattern" ones, that came with my Traveller purchase, and I could always fit these - seen below with the Lockheed one that could be put back into service[frame][/frame]
I was going to do this today, before the storms come, but it also looks like I will have to get new brake shoes. Although the ones I've taken off have plenty of "meat" on them, I'm not sure about using them as the surface material has begun to craze and crack (should be able to see this in the next picture)[frame][/frame]
The braking material is not riveted on so, most likely, is not asbestos based (but the more modern harder stuff). Would it be safe to put these back on, or error on the side of caution and replace them?

I would say they have had a lot of heat through them from partially stuck on wheel cylinders. Ive put ones like these back on before but they dont give such a responsive brake. You could roughen up the surfaces wit some emery but they will not be as good as a new set! Been told mintex are better but not tried them myself, I usually look out for the old asbestos rivetted type at the autojumbles.

The technique for seized cylinders involves using a grease gun to push the seized piston out, given the cheapness of replacement cylinders and the importance of having reliable brakes it hardly seems worth the effort.

Yes the back plates are series II, (sourced NOS from ESM the invoice used to be with the car.....) and that enabled fitting of later wheel cylinders whilst still retaining the original drum. Nice mod that all MM owners should consider in my book. If you want to go original I have a pair of NOS MM flat back plates here, swap for those ones........
Hope you are still enjoying the car.
Best
Tommy
(previous custodian of 'The Little Black Car')

Tommy,
The car is currently off the road as I've also had to replace the back brakes. Having a bit of trouble using the 1980's auto-bleed device - will need a couple of volunteers to help do it the traditional way.
I do have all the invoices, with the sale of the car, from your time of ownership - a lovely record.
The very expensive car cover I bought for the Traveller was pressed into service over the Christmas period, to cover up the MM (now named MM Sweetie) as I found a couple of pints of water in the rear footwell during the storms. The cover doesn't stop any rainwater getting in through the front and back windscreen seals (which leak), as it leaks like a sieve (and it isn't due to "wicking"). The main ingress of water is through the back window, down the back of the rear seat back, under the seat base and out through to the rear footwell.
[frame][/frame][Taken on December 29th]
I'll post up a thread about the rear brakes and how the modern replacement springs can't be fitted because they are too "chunky".
I'll hold onto the Series II front brake back-plates, thank you.
All the best for the New Year, George.
P.S. I can't fit any cars into the integral garage as it is full of GPO telephone exchange equipment (working).