Morris Minor Owners Club

My rear brakes stick slightly when I brake normally. The handbrake works fine when stationary or even if I try it whilst driving. The brakes stick sometimes when I am driving normally and I have found I can release them by tugging the handbrake or by stopping and reversing or sometimes they release themselves after a few seconds. When I park the handbrake is about 3/4 way up on its movement to be tight. I have checked that the shoes are in the right way round. Any ideas?

You could have a collapsed rear flexible brake hose which is creating back pressure in the system. Do you know when it was last replaced?
For the cost I would replace it as a matter of course. It could also be sticking rear cylinders but try the hose first.

Also check that the rear cylinders are free to slide in their slots. I have had similar symptoms and that turned out to be the cause, 5 minutes with a file fixed a problem that had persisted for years

You were absolutely right johngrigg!
When I stripped the cylinders from the back plate it was obvious they had been struggling to slide. It didn't help that when I had done my rebuild last year I had not removed the paint around that area. I also fitted new cylinders which were not flat at all where they made contact with the back plate. These are the before and after my use of a file on the contact area of the new cylinder. (sorry they are not clear)
Thanks again, it has completely got rid of my frustration when driving in traffic!

They are not Minor 1000 wheel cylinders which might also add to your difficulties........
Have you replaced them at some time or were they fitted prior to your ownership?

I think you have a Marina back axle on your car with the correct cylinders.
Regards John

Well spotted that man

They are indeed Morris Marina/Ital.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/REAR-BRAKE-CY ... loA3IP4Mbg

And they were fitted to the Escort MK1 back brakes as well.

Searching the web it appears that the Marina/Ital wheel cylinder had a 17.5mm dia piston whilst the the Mk 1 Escort had a 19mm dia piston.
So if the measurements quoted above are correct & even though they may look the same outwardly they may not be the same internally.

convertibled
I would be interested to know what axle is fitted to your car.

Phil

Glad to hear you got it fixed. The Minor has enough problems overcoming its own inertia without adding dragging brakes into the mix!