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Morris Minor brakes!

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NutmegCT

NutmegCT

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I wondered why my '57 Morris Minor Traveller is so tough to roll by hand, and needs so much power just to move a few feet. Raised the rear and discovered both rear wheels are frozen tight. Parking brake is off.

Front wheels turn freely. Rear wheels won't budge. Hasn't driven more than a few 100 feet since I got it back in February.

I removed a rear wheel, but since I can't turn the drum, I can't use the adjustment screw inside the drum to loosen the shoes.

I'm reluctant to use blasting caps or a small nuclear device ... can someone talk me through what I need to do to free up those brakes?

Thanks.
Tom M.
 
B

bobhustead

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The adjustment is not thru the backing plate? I would first try a BFH (brass or lead) around the outer edge of the drums and try to work them off with a couple screw drivers. The try heat on the drums?
Bob
 
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NutmegCT

NutmegCT

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Success! Some modest thwacks with a hammer around the drum, followed by levering the studs with a 3 foot long 2x2 did the trick. I could slowly turn the drum using the 2x2, centered the adjustment hole over the adjuster bolt, loosened one click - and all is well. Now just a sliding sound as the drum turns.

Had to do this on both sides.

Some of the later model MMs had the adjuster on the back of the plate. Mine is a '57 - has two on each front brake, one on each rear brake, accessible through the hole in the drum.

Thank you for the advice!
Tom M.
 
JPSmit

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always great when a plan comes together.
 
AngliaGT

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Now you'll need to remember to set the parking brake.
 
DrEntropy

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Tom, as a precaution, check that the e-brake & shoe return spring(s) are working correctly.

Personally, I'd be going for a complete going-through of the braking system on the thing.
 
drooartz

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Well done, Tom. Out comes the big hammer!
 
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