Morris Minor Owners Club

I might be buying a set of Wolseley 1500 front brakes as these seem like a good (simple) upgrade. The only thing that concerns me about this is that the 9" drums seem impossible to find. I wouldn't want to fit the brakes only to find that in the future I have to revert to Morris 8" brakes due to lack of availability of 9" drums.

I know that several people on this forum do have the 9" front brakes. How do people find drum availability?

Stephen

Mine are over 65years old and show almost no sign of wear. As I am even older, I reckon that I'm unlikely to require replacements so I don't worry about it They are a good and worthwhile upgrade.

ManyMinors wrote: ↑Wed Feb 05, 2025 11:18 am Mine are over 65years old and show almost no sign of wear. As I am even older, I reckon that I'm unlikely to require replacements so I don't worry about it They are a good and worthwhile upgrade.

That is encouraging. I suppose it depends on the condition of the drums in the set I might purchase. Morris 8" drums I have had to replace in the past but it is a long time before they need changing admittedly.

Stephen

I am not aware of any new or replacement Wolseley 1500 front 9" brake drums.
You could try the Wolseley 1500 owners club for an opinion.
https://wolseleyownersclub.com/
If the drums are slightly worn they can be skimmed to give an extended life.
If the drums are good in the first place I doubt that you will need replacement drums for some considerable time or even ever.
You can also fit Wolseley 1500 rear 8" brakes to the rear of the Minor. 8" brake drums are readily available as they are the same as the front brakes on a late Minor.

I've bought the Wolseley 9" front brakes.......

They came from Roy's (BMCEcosse) Traveller!

Stephen

Oh my! What happened to the traveller then?

I don't know. Perhaps it was put back to standard. I'll ask tomorrow

Stephen

I have now found out what happened to Roy's traveller and I am sorry to say that it has been scrapped. It was being restored and it fell from a rotisserie due to the failure of a "Chinesium" bolt. It was so badly damaged it had to be scrapped. Very sad tale. In some small way it will live on in my tourer with the 9" brakes. Roy, you always did go on and on about how much better bigger drums were than disc conversions so I am taking your word for that and doing it! I hope you have lots of cars to play with "upstairs".

Stephen

Oh dear, another one gone! Come on, you restorers, gotta make numbers back up!

myoldjalopy wrote: ↑Thu Feb 06, 2025 12:00 pm Oh dear, another one gone! Come on, you restorers, gotta make numbers back up!

I was talking to ESM and also to Minor Parts of Oxford recently. They tell me they've been much busier than usual with recommissioning jobs so long-sleeping cars are coming back.

Stephen

That's encouraging news!

These are the brake parts that I have secured. The drums are fine. I will strip, de-rust, paint and rebuild the cylinders.

Now on the look out for Wolseley rear 8" brake backplates......


Stephen

You have Roy's famous TR7 5 speed brake shoe conversion.

MM1949 wrote: ↑Sun Feb 09, 2025 12:41 pm You have Roy's famous TR7 5 speed brake shoe conversion.

Yes I do. I am intending to swap that for proper Wolseley 1500 shoes.......Those bridge pipes look rubbish too. I'll replace them.

Stephen

The Wolseley 1500 rear brakes are out there you just have to be patient. I managed to pick up a complete set up comprising backplates, cylinders, brake shoes and drums in April last year for just under £80 including delivery.

philthehill wrote: ↑Sun Feb 09, 2025 7:23 pm The Wolseley 1500 rear brakes are out there you just have to be patient. I managed to pick up a complete (backplates, cylinders, brake shoes and drums) set up in April last year for just under £80 including delivery.

I'll keep a look out!

Stephen

I am pretty sure Roy's traveller was fitted with 1500 rear brakes. Can you not see if these are available?

You could also consider the rear brakes off a Riley 1.5 as they are a straight swop and even better than the Wolseley 1500 rear brakes.

mowogg wrote: ↑Mon Feb 10, 2025 6:33 pm I am pretty sure Roy's traveller was fitted with 1500 rear brakes. Can you not see if these are available?

Good idea. I am asking........

Roy did have Wolseley 1500 rear brakes but I'm not sure whether he ever actually fitted them.

Stephen

philthehill wrote: ↑Mon Feb 10, 2025 6:57 pm You could also consider the rear brakes off a Riley 1.5 as they are a straight swop and even better than the Wolseley 1500 rear brakes.
Riley 1.5 rear brakes 1.jpg
Riley 1.5 rear brakes 2.jpg

Those are massive! I'm conscious not to upset the braking balance of the car front/rear. Wouldn't those Riley brakes be a bit too much?

Stephen