Morris Minor Owners Club

Hello,

When I come to a standstill in my Morris Minor, the car rarely (even on a slight slope) need any handbrake to keep it stationary (I would expect it to start rolling down a slight hill, even if slowly). It feels like there is a slight braking effect SOMEWHERE, but I'm not sure where.

The hand brake seems fine, the brake pedal feels fine, although I might be wrong. Servo is fitted.

It was serviced last month. I am not a Morris Minor veteran--is this normal, or should I be adjusting something?

And I am sure whatever it is must adversely be affecting my mpg...

Hope this makes sense!

No -it must run completely freely. The servo may be faulty (why do you need a servo - I assume you don't have disc brakes ??) or the master cylinder may not have any 'free play' at the pedal - or the brakes may simply be adjusted up too tightly, or one or more cylinders may be sticking. Feel the wheels after a run - are any of them 'warm' to touch? Who 'serviced' it ??? It never fails to amaze me the faith people have in getting someone else to 'service' their car.....

As above, do you have disc brakes fitted?

To check for any wheel/brake binding, get the car on a level surface and jack each wheel up and see if the wheel turns freely. If they all turn freely, then there is nothing wrong. Check the same thing after a short run, with some braking being done during the run.

No disc brakes.

I'll take her for a run and check for hot wheels, as well as jacking up to check brake adjustment.

But too hot right now! I'll let you know how I get on.

I've had the opportunity to take the back wheels off, wipe the drums, and turn the adjuster screws 2 clicks from fully applied. (When on the level with the the engine off and without the handbrake applied, I rocked the car backwards and forwards - hearing a slight squeak/drag in the back right wheel, I thought this was the offender.)

Having adjusted the rear brakes, I again rocked the car to and fro, and the drag had disappeared. However, after taking it out for a run, the problem is back again.

I am wondering: is this a problem with the return springs, failing to clear the brake pads sufficiently?

Very unlikely to be the return springs. If it affects BOTH rear wheels it is possible that the flexible rear brake hose is perished internally and acting as a valve - holding the brake on for a while?

Time for a brake overhaul/replacement I think as they tend to be very important

If I understand correctly, the drag is right hand side only, so yes, could be return springs; and see if the cylinder is sticking and not reurtning properly.

If the brake fluid has not been changed regularly every two years the cylinders tend to crud up and stick. The pedal pressure can overcome it to apply the brakes but often the springs can't pull the shoes back so you have sticky shoes . That's why I said time for overhaul/replacement.

Does sound like sticking cylinders - the return springs will be fine - but they can't be expected to draw back a seized up cylinder. Double check the fronts before launching in to new rear cylinders - and if/when you do fit new rears - get some red rubber grease (ebay) and stuff the cylinders with a goodly dollop under the outer piston before fitting to the car.

Could the handbrake cable be binding on? I had that happen on a Ford when inner cable started to fail and bound on the outer guide.

A very good thought.

Could be - but would feel 'floppy' at the handle. Everything is possible - needs urgent investigation throughout the whole system.