21 replies to this topic

[Manx Mini....]

Am I being stupid or what?

Servicing my Mini Sprite today, one of the wheel cylinders was leaking. No problem there, had three in stock! Went to put a new set of shoes on, I can get the drums on but there is no way I can adjust them up as they just lock solid. Its as if the shoes are to big... There is a very little wear on the drums and I'm sure I have the brake shoes on the right way round. I did check my Haynes manual to be sure.... The old shoes were not that worn just contaminated with brake fluid. Just to put the Mini back on its wheels I cleaned the old shoes up and stuck them back on. The drums fit straight on and adjust up as they should.
I have another set of shoes to hand so I might try them tomorrow.

[ginigwunkle]

if the shoes you have put on have had brake fluid on them then get new ones, the pad bonding to the 'shoe' will belost and the pad itself may crumble....very dangerous.

the drum might not fit due to the square adjuster needing to be backed off and then resetonce the drum is on so it stops turning with the handbrake

[Manx Mini....]

if the shoes you have put on have had brake fluid on them then get new ones, the pad bonding to the 'shoe' will belost and the pad itself may crumble....very dangerous.

the drum might not fit due to the square adjuster needing to be backed off and then resetonce the drum is on so it stops turning with the handbrake

Hi. Thanks for the quick response.. The adjusters are well and truly backed off....

[Major Burkenshaw]

Have you definatley got the shoes in the groves for the adjusters and at the bottom. Is the handbrake mechanism free and is the handbrake completely off?

[sixwheeler]

Front or rear?

When changing rear brakes you must back off (as in undo the adjuster nut) the handbrake first, not just have it in the off position.

[Manx Mini....]

Have you definatley got the shoes in the groves for the adjusters and at the bottom. Is the handbrake mechanism free and is the handbrake completely off?

Yes to all the above. I've been repairing mini's for 14 years... but never had this much trouble with a set of brake shoes.. They are unipart shoes, got them from mini spares a while ago. Perhaps it will all become clear in the morning..!

[Manx Mini....]

Front or rear?

When changing rear brakes you must back off (as in undo the adjuster nut) the handbrake first, not just have it in the off position.

If the garage wasn't so far away I'd go and have a look at that right now...

[ginigwunkle]

you got the shoes in the right way up? silly q but often overlooked...

[minimender]

I have had this problem with aftermarket shoes, they tend to oversize them to make up for drum wear I think.
Some fit , some dont.
I think they are to fit mini and Metro and Metro may be slightly bigger, not sure but it bugs me as well.
The last time it happened I had to boil the old shoes for half an hour to get the fluid out and then refit them. Never did change them on that car

You could try grinding a bit off the metal bit that goes into the adjuster , you would only need a bit off

Also there are different size adjusters, some are longer than others

Edited by minimender, 05 April 2008 - 10:08 PM.

[nomininolife]

The metro shoes are exactly the same size




David

[minimender]

The metro shoes are exactly the same size




David

Thanks for that, must be the different length adjusters then.

[Ethel]

sounds odd...

with the adjuster wound fully out you'd expect them to be an easy fit.

Are the adjusters on a flat?
Are the handbrake levers (in the drum) pivoting freely?
Squeeze the pistons together, to make sure they have backed off.
Take the clevis pins out of the brake cables if your are in any doubt about the handbrake not being fully off.
The shoes should go on with the unlined end at the bottom on the shoe nearest the back of the car and on top for the front shoe.

Edited by Ethel, 05 April 2008 - 10:17 PM.

[minimender]

By adjusters I meant the two pieces that the shoes rest on and that the screw adjuster forces outwards, these two pieces can be of differing lengths depending on the year of the car.

[Kerrin]

If you are really stuck I live in Braddan

I can pop round and poke it with a stick! or maybe offer help.

PM me your mobile number or address.

[Manx Mini....]

If you are really stuck I live in Braddan

I can pop round and poke it with a stick! or maybe offer help.

PM me your mobile number or address.

Thanks for the offer Kerrin and everyone for the advice...

I sorted it out. Put a different set of brake shoes that I had in my dads garage for several years... Still in box with a couple of wheel cylinders. The New shoes went on without a problem.

Got to make sure its all sorted out to go to Brighton next month...!!!

Edited by Manx Mini...., 06 April 2008 - 05:04 PM.