20 replies to this topic

[Snorlax]

Good Morning everyone. 

 

Just a quick question.

 

My drivers side rear brake is binding.

 

Before picking the car up it had been stood up a few years however looking at previous mots it seems to have had this issue a little while.

 

I had driven it home for a couple of hours and it is still an issue.

 

The handbrake travel is also far too much.

 

So my question is 

 

What is the likely cause of my binding brake I am placing an order with MiniSpares for a few other items today and just wanted to add this on. 

 

I was thinking new brake shoes would correct this but could it be a wheel cylinder too?

 

Many thanks all :) 

[Lplus]

Might be an internally collapsed flexible hose on the radius arm not letting the pressure out after braking.  I had that problem, though it did slowly release after a while.

 

Try loosening the bleed nipple and seeing if it frees up.

Edited by Lplus, 10 July 2024 - 07:46 AM.

[Snorlax]

Might be an internally collapsed flexible hose on the radius arm not letting the pressure out after braking.  I had that problem, though it did slowly release after a while.

 

Try loosening the bleed nipple and seeing if it frees up.

 

Would this not cause the pedal to not retract if this was the case as I have no real issues with the pedal. It seems to bind even if I don't press the brake.

[coopertaz]

remove drum and check before ordering parts you may find cylinders beginning to fail if been stood that long. binding may just be unserviced and badly adjusted shoes, as you mention handbarke, or siezed adjusters

[john2502]

Just done my rear brakes (wheel cylinders and shoes) on my MPI so it's all fresh in my head, What year car is yours? Seems odd that the handbrake is loose but also brakes binding. Does it hold the car ok on a slope?

 

If it was me I'd go, handbrake off (chock front wheels first of course), jack up offending side up at the rear, wheel off, and you should be able to spin the drum with your hands but feel some resistance (so it shouldn't spin freely but move with a bit of force and stop once you let go....if that makes sense). If you can't spin this try loosing off the adjuster, this should be an 8mm square bolt on the top of the backplate (well it was on my MPI not sure if yours may differ), be gentle though as these have a habit of seizing. Once loose you should be able to spin the drum, I'd suggest ,as it's quick to do, loosen the screw that holds the drum on (again be gentle with this) and inspect the shoes/cylinder assembly. 

 

Post up a pic here if it helps. 

[Lplus]

 

Might be an internally collapsed flexible hose on the radius arm not letting the pressure out after braking.  I had that problem, though it did slowly release after a while.

 

Try loosening the bleed nipple and seeing if it frees up.

 

Would this not cause the pedal to not retract if this was the case as I have no real issues with the pedal. It seems to bind even if I don't press the brake.

 

No it wouldn't stop the pedal coming up.  The pedal would return as normal.
 

[coopertaz]

Just done my rear brakes (wheel cylinders and shoes) on my MPI so it's all fresh in my head, What year car is yours? Seems odd that the handbrake is loose but also brakes binding. Does it hold the car ok on a slope?

 

If it was me I'd go, handbrake off (chock front wheels first of course), jack up offending side up at the rear, wheel off, and you should be able to spin the drum with your hands but feel some resistance (so it shouldn't spin freely but move with a bit of force and stop once you let go....if that makes sense). If you can't spin this try loosing off the adjuster, this should be an 8mm square bolt on the top of the backplate (well it was on my MPI not sure if yours may differ), be gentle though as these have a habit of seizing. Once loose you should be able to spin the drum, I'd suggest ,as it's quick to do, loosen the screw that holds the drum on (again be gentle with this) and inspect the shoes/cylinder assembly. 

 

Post up a pic here if it helps. 

handbrake travel will be excessive if not adjusted when rear brakes adjusted, as you say adjusters sieze so a good dose of penetrating oil here will help

 

[Snorlax]

Thanks all.

 

Going to take a look at this tonight and move the adjuster round.

 

I had noticed the brakes dont work that great and I really have to push the pedal hard. 

 

Hopefully its just the adjuster and it will free off.

[sonscar]

Seized wheel cylinders can cause sticking and a harder pedal.check the lining is still attached to the shoe.Steve..

Edited by sonscar, 11 July 2024 - 08:32 AM.

[john2502]

Great, let us know hoe you get on, pictures are always good. fingers crossed that the adjuster and drum retaining screw gods are kind to you.

[Snorlax]

Great, let us know hoe you get on, pictures are always good. fingers crossed that the adjuster and drum retaining screw gods are kind to you.

May the odds be ever in my favour haha.

[Snorlax]

Great, let us know hoe you get on, pictures are always good. fingers crossed that the adjuster and drum retaining screw gods are kind to you.

Well turns out it’s the adjuster is stuck solid. So looks like it’s going to be a new back plate rebuild. I also noticed the brake like (flexi hose) on top of I think the radius arm? Looks to be kinked slightly too.

[Ethel]

My first thought would be a seized handbrake quadrant if a rear brake binds. Of course the seized adjuster needs sorting, but I doubt it was the cause if you managed to get the drum off. If you suspect it's something hydraulic, opening the bleed screw should release it temporarily.

[john2502]

If you're needing to sort the back plate etc then its a decent time to renew components like this anyway, saves another job in the future. I wished i'd ordered new springs for my shoes while I had it all apart anyway as they're cheap anyway. Not sure on the thoughts of these on minis but braided hoses i've done on other cars and have lasted well, and dont seem to be too pricey from minispares.
Might be worth getting some penetrating fluid on the adjuster and leaving it for a while to see if it can be loosened/salvaged. Did you manage to get the drum off?

[MrBrown]

Once you get to rebuilding, lather the shiz outta those parts with anti seize!