Morris Minor Owners Club

I was out on a local Airfield today letting my 16 Year old have her first drive in her Moggie
While we were there I took the opportunity to explore the Brakes at the limit as it were. I found that they consistantly lock the front NS wheel first under a hard application. I seem to recal my old Mini's used to always lock one wheel and you could never solve it, it was just a fact of life. Is it the same with the Minor's, would I chase my tail for ages trying to adjust this away?, is it best just to live with it?.
It must be the Brakes I think becuse the although the front Tyres aren't of equal quality the NS is the better of the two, the OS is a Remould!!!. It will be coming off soon.

Hello Velocemitch,

you have an internal problem, either a stuck cylinder or a leaky one. The adjustment makes no difference to brake balance.
Take the drums off and have a good look inside, they should not just lock on one side.

Alec

Thanks Alec I will take a look inside ASAP then.

Also the degree of heat from the drums will give a clue if one side is not
backing off properly during normal running. if the 'bad' side feels considerably
hotter than the other then that side is dragging and will not be as efficient.
Dragging is usually a faulty wheel cylinder and/or poor brake shoe springs.

Better sort this out properly before letting the 16 year old loose on the highway! The wheel that is NOT locking is where the problem will be - so look for stuck or leaking cylinder - and/or contaminated linings. Budget for a new set of linings and 4 sets of cylinder seals - then you know it's all sorted. The drums could also be needing a good clean - and there is just a chance one is warped - and 'snatching' on before the other. Is it the 8 inch drums or the older 7 inch drums ?

Hello Bmce,

"The wheel that is NOT locking is where the problem will be"

I have experienced the opposite, a leaking cylinder causing lock up, not as expected I know, but I agree that looking to do a full overhaul would be the best answer.

Alec

Well - I suppose there's always the exception ! Generally, leaking cylinder means greatly reduced braking power on that wheel.