12 replies to this topic

[lewBlew]

See if this video works.... 

 

https://drive.google...iew?usp=sharing

 

First you see the offside which seems fine and quiet and runs freely (handbrake off obviously). Then I try the nearside and it scrapes. It does this no matter how much I undo the adjusters. This is as good as it gets.

 

I have looked inside the drum and everything seems hunky dory, just like the other side. The weird thing is that I discovered this when I was adjusting the handbrake; the handbrake works perfectly on the offside, but the nearside needs it pulled extra high for it to hold in place and even then isn't perfect. 

 

Please ignore the 'fluid' you may notice on the outside of the drum. This is WD40 I used on the drum securing screw, not brake fluid.

Edited by lewBlew, 08 December 2015 - 09:53 PM.

[Cooperman]

Are the brake shoes on in the correct positions? It is easy to fit one (or both) sides incorrectly (been there, done that) and if it has happened it screws up the braking ability.

If they are correct, slacken off the handbrake cable, then tighten the adjuster on each back-plate in turn until the wheel is solidly locked on. This centres the brake shoes, and then back the adjuster off until the wheel can be turned by hand but with a slight resistance. Do it to both sides and make sure each side has equal slight resistance, or very nearly so.

Finally adjust the handbrake cable to give the desired handbrake travel.

If it still don't work, come back for more.

[lewBlew]

Are the brake shoes on in the correct positions? It is easy to fit one (or both) sides incorrectly (been there, done that) and if it has happened it screws up the braking ability.

If they are correct, slacken off the handbrake cable, then tighten the adjuster on each back-plate in turn until the wheel is solidly locked on. This centres the brake shoes, and then back the adjuster off until the wheel can be turned by hand but with a slight resistance. Do it to both sides and make sure each side has equal slight resistance, or very nearly so.

Finally adjust the handbrake cable to give the desired handbrake travel.

If it still don't work, come back for more.

 

Thanks. I can check tomorrow but this is the first time the drum has been off in my ownership (4 years) and it always seems to have been fine. I also pumped the pedal a few times before testing each side but will do what you say tomorrow to make doubly sure they are centred. I didn't realise you should slacken the handbrake cable before adjusting both wheels to fully locked.

[Cooperman]

You wouldn't normally slacken the handbrake cable, but as you are having problems it is best to go back to first principles and do a full re-set. So after confirming the shoes are correctly fitted, do it all and it should be fine.

Good luck. Come back if you are still having problems - we are all here to help.

[6joshh6]

I had something similar, does it make a whirring noise at speed?  Take the drum off and look at the hub for any marks, if you put the springs on wrong they will touch the hub when the wheel is moving, causing the noise and damaging the spring. 

[Steve220]

When was the last time they were changed?

[lewBlew]

No idea, not in my ownership. 'They' as in the springs or the whole brake set-up? And yes there is a whirring (booming) noise at speed which I've noticed the last few months, but nobody could trace it!

[firstforward]

Just to confirm fitment.

Attached Files

•  Rear Brake Shoes Fitment.jpg   189.13K   45 downloads

[lewBlew]

Just to confirm fitment.

 

That's really helpful, thanks. I will have a good look tonight and report back. Perhaps at some point a garage did fiddle about with it without me knowing and put it back incorrectly.

[lewBlew]

Ok tonight I have checked and can't see anything wrong with the set up/springs etc. I slackened the handbrake off all the way and the noise was the same! So I took the drums off and made another video...

 

https://drive.google...iew?usp=sharing

 

 

It's very noisy that second side! Maybe the noise has nothing to do with the brakes at all? Could it be a bearing or something which is then reverberating in the drum?

Edited by lewBlew, 09 December 2015 - 07:45 PM.

[minidaves]

wheel bearing but first take that dented dust cap off as it might be the split pin hitting it

[Cooperman]

Hard to be sure, but that sounds like the wheel bearing is broken with a capital F.

You need to pull the hub and check it all out.

Edited by Cooperman, 09 December 2015 - 07:51 PM.

[tiger99]

Does seem like bearings. Just be sure to get good quality replacements!

 

I would suggest having the drums off at least once a year to check for lining wear, wheel cylinder leakage and any other problems that may be developing, clean and grease the adjusters (a real pain when they sieze), etc. A little bit of time on preventitive maintenance always pays for itself. Same for greasing the wheel bearings, they often, but not always, used to last almost for ever, if attended to regularly, but as always, some will fail prematurely, and you can't do much about that.

 

Servicing used to be done by mileage, but nowadays many Minis don't necessarily do 6000 miles in one year, or even several years, however deterioration also happens as time passes, so it is worth doing at least an annual service. Doesn't take all that long, and if done regularly, things come apart more easily when required.

 

I used to do really high mileage, 20k to 30k in a year, so nothing was left for very long without attention. Funnily enough, high mileage doesn't seem to result in more breakdowns, it was always minor things like split bypass hose, failed timing cover oil seal, very rarely a blown light bulb, plus routine replacement of parts that wear like ball joints. Careful assembly and greasing regularly can get upwards of 80k miles out of these. Brake shoes, a lot less.