10 replies to this topic

[Rata Road]

I have just got my 1970 stock 850 back on the road with some help from this forum. It had a leaking front brake cylinder and was parked up for nearly 20 years. One brake shoe was well soaked and I tried cleaning with meths, sand paper etc but the car pulled slightly under braking I ordered some new shoes but while waiting I gave them a good go over again but this time with a round wire brush attached to my drill. They came up looking new with no sign of oil/fluid stains so I refitted.

After several weeks of driving and usage they still pull up straight as a die.  

[greenwheels]

I always find hot soapy water does the trick.

[richmondclassicsnorthwales]

In the days of asbestos, you could pop them in the oven for half an hour - the kitchen smelt a bit - but open the back door

 

Jobs a good un !!!!

[Rata Road]

I've just purchased a 1930 Triumph Super 7 and it actually has Hydraulic brakes. The shoes were soaked in oil and Ive been trying to clean them up. I've tried my wire brush method which cleans them up good but they go black again after they sit a few hours (the oil comes out of the lining) so I tried hot soapy water scrub then dried over a hot pot belly stove ( basically used both the above suggestions).

Any other suggestions besides new linings?

Also some of you guys may be able to steer me, I cant find any owners or workshop manuals for the Super 7 or parts due to being very rare.

Any guidance/suggestions would be appreciated.

 

  Thanks

           Kevin

New Zealand

[weef]

Having been parked up for nearly twenty years for safety reasons alone, yours and other road users, I think a complete renewal of the braking system would be appropriate.

[mbolt998]

Having been parked up for nearly twenty years for safety reasons alone, yours and other road users, I think a complete renewal of the braking system would be appropriate.

Probably sensible. Mine has been parked for 23y and I'm going to renew all the pipes and hoses. But the pads looks OK (in the one wheel I've looked at so far) and the wheel cylinder looks nice and clean inside and the rubber parts in good condition. So I reckon they'll be all right. Maybe I'll replace some seals anyway.

[Spider]

Oil is quite difficult to get out of the linings. The my late Father-in-law once told of being away in his 20's something Ford when a rear axle seal popped out and soaked the shoes. He said he put some petrol on the and set fire to them, he said they came good.

I'd actually suggest finding an old school Brake Shop who can re-line them as the linings that are on there would likely have asbestos.

[mbolt998]

Oil is quite difficult to get out of the linings. The my late Father-in-law once told of being away in his 20's something Ford when a rear axle seal popped out and soaked the shoes. He said he put some petrol on the and set fire to them, he said they came good.

I'd actually suggest finding an old school Brake Shop who can re-line them as the linings that are on there would likely have asbestos.

I know mine aren't asbestos because I fitted them originally (maybe 25y ago or so) and they were already asbestos-free then. We used to grumble about how the new-fangled pads ground down the drums more (I don't know if that's actually true or we were just complaining :)

 

Grease from an overpacked bearing getting all over the rear pads certainly does increase their life however. Although it may shorten the lives of the people inside the car.

[Rata Road]

Some good feedback guys thanks.

The car was restored approx 1980, I have had all the wheel cylinders and master re-sleeved and re-kitted, the lines looks very sound, the flex hoses have been replaced, it is only the oily shoes. Actually its only 3 of the 8 shoes and the rear seals have been tested and don't leak a drop so the oil is actually brake fluid. Ive wire brushed, sand paper, washed in hot soapy water and dried on a hot potbelly stove. Currently the 2 worse are in sawdust in the sun. They don't look to be asbestos.

I'll probably put the suspect ones on the rear wheels and see how they go. Most cars of this era had cable or rod brakes, this tiny Triumph (800cc) is light and has huge brake drums the same size as land-rover! There is no risk of this being dangerous but I will give it a test and see how they perform.

The main issue is I live remote, if there was a brake shop close I would get them re done first but I like to experiment.

let you know how they go.

[Tornado99]

If any doubt, just replace with new. Not worth risking lives over the small cost.

[Rata Road]

Brakes are fine considering it's a 1930's car and I only travel about 30mph. It took a few goes working them hard on a steep hill both forward and backwards to bed them in but I'm happy after I have adjusted them up twice.

All good

 

Thanks Guys