Morris Minor Owners Club

Drum brakes.

Car has not been used very much for the past couple of years however always stored correctly in garage. Brakes have always tended to be fine, however on giving it a short run today I want to give them an overhaul. Any suggestions appreciated.

No brake fuid? Failed master cylinder?

Do tell us a bit more. Like a simple fluid level check, or inspection of brake drums for leakage. Those are good places to start.

Presumably the pedal actually moved to the floor?

The fact that it appears , from your description , to be all the brakes aren't functioning , points to a hydraulic issue
rather than a mechanical one.
Do you still have fluid in the master cylinder to the correct level or is it empty ?
Are there signs of fluid leaks around any of the brake cylinders. Drips from the back plates onto the inner side
of the wheels ? Leaks from any of the brakes flexi hoses or metal brake pipes ?
What age is the fluid itself ? More than 3 years and it might have taken onboard moisture affecting it's compressibility.

What ever the cause it needs sorting sooner rather than later before taking it on the road. Likeliness is that the seal in the master cylinder has " let go " with age .
Bob

Most likely problem with a standard Minor which is not driven much is seized wheel cylinders. Cars like to be used regularly. If you don't use them OR make regular checks, you are really asking for trouble and the recent change in MOT law doesn't help one bit. Some owners seem to expect that because they haven't covered many miles all will be fine. Where brake cylinders are concerned probably the opposite is true.
You need to remove all the wheels and brake drums and get somebody to inspect the whole braking system thoroughly. As has already been said - start by checking the fluid level. Surely you do that regularly anyway though don't you? It is easily overlooked on a Minor partly due to its location.
As a rule, if the pedal goes to the floor, you are low on fluid but if the pedal feels firm but you have little braking, you have some seized wheel cylinders.

Thanks - pretty much got it sorted now. I want to put in the best quality brake fluid I can get if poss. Any recommendations?

Thanks - pretty much got it sorted now. I want to put in the best quality brake fluid I can get if poss. Any recommendations for this and also what is the best one man brake bleed kit out there?

DOT 4 fluid would suit unless you have converted to silicone in the past ( and replaced all the rubber seals in the system ). Ordinary and Silicone don't mix.Don't buy a large volume , once a bottle is opened it starts absorbing moisture and can't be left on the shelf forever. Stick to a recognized Brand ( Mintex , Pagid, etc. ) or supplier.

Self bleeding kits ? A big wallet or small change ? A simple Vizibleed NV16 or a Mityvac suction type at the other end of the sclae. Lots of tales of Gunsons Eezibleed caps blowing off under pressure ( they probably didn't reduced the supply tyre wheel pressure as instructed !! )
Bob

Thanks Bob.

Hi
A question about vacuum/pressure bleed tools, like the Gunsons Eezibleed...
I assume they screw onto the top of the reservoir, which on a modern car is a plastic cap. How do we get them onto the Moggie master cylinder?

Whilst I am not aware of a specific top for the Minor master cylinder a spare cap can be drilled and tapped (1/8" x 28 TPI BSP parallel) and the feed pipe from the Gunsons reservoir attached - or a non vented cap can be purchased from ESM and the cap drilled and tapped to suit.
http://www.morrisminorspares.com/brakes ... it-p829339
Any vent hole in the original cap can be blocked with a dab of solder.
In the additional notes section of the instructions for using the brake bleeding kit it suggests buying a spare cap and drill a 10mm hole in it and attach the pipe likewise but that would be for a thin metal cap which the Minor one is not..
The max recommended tyre pressure for use in bleeding is 20psi max.

Thanks Phil