Quick rear brake question

[tosoutherncars]

OK, here we go, for the sake of completeness...

DRIVER side.

PASSENGER side.

Sorry for the slightly fuzzy pix, my phone cam is less than crystal clear.

 

[JPSmit]

looks nice

 

[Sportsdoc]

I talked with the vendor today and I got the wrong cylinder. New ones on the way soon.

 

[Sportsdoc]

Thanks for the pictures. Wish I could put mine together this weekend!

 

[DrEntropy]

I talked with the vendor today and I got the wrong cylinder. New ones on the way soon.

Well done.

 

[tony barnhill]

OK, here we go, for the sake of completeness...

DRIVER side.

PASSENGER side.

Sorry for the slightly fuzzy pix, my phone cam is less than crystal clear.

Those photos show your assemblies upside down...then the question becomes: is your driver side really your passenger side & vice versa?

 

[tosoutherncars]

Those photos show your assemblies upside down...then the question becomes: is your driver side really your passenger side & vice versa?

Err... don't think so, Tony! Those are right-way up (this is for a Midget, remember, not a B)... handbrake assy on rear (both cases)... 'blank spot' on pads is on the leading edge. Pretty sure that's right.

 

[tony barnhill]

Those photos show your assemblies upside down...then the question becomes: is your driver side really your passenger side & vice versa?

Err... don't think so, Tony! Those are right-way up (this is for a Midget, remember, not a B)... handbrake assy on rear (both cases)... 'blank spot' on pads is on the leading edge. Pretty sure that's right.

you're right...I got stupid on that one.

 

[jvandyke]

Well, I guess I'm glad I checked. I went by previous install and pictures from manuals but...
Passenger side had the lower spring outboard of shoes. I caught that. But I put all the shoes on with funny oblong whole at the bottom. Just like the old came off is how I put the new on.
Just goes to show you how wrong the last guy could of done it.
So he had one shoe each side upside down and one spring outboard.
I had a heck of time getting it all on there, maybe because one shoe on each side was upside down?
I put the springs and pried the shoes around and over the hubs and "massaged" everything into alignment. Don't relish the idea of doing it all again.
I almost did the shoes before I put the axles back together but I was so concerned about getting grease on them I didn't, now I wish I had, seems like it'd be easier with the hubs off.
Is there a "best method" for getting stuff together easily? I can't imagine trying to get the springs on after the shoes are nearly set.

 

[JPSmit]

Is there a "best method" for getting stuff together easily? I can't imagine trying to get the springs on after the shoes are nearly set.

yes, take it to a shop.

seriously, install the wheel cylinder and adjustment bolt (the side extensions just lie in there. Put the springs on the pads and just hook them on the cylinder one side at a time and likewise the bottom. I seem to recall that you have to wiggle in the emergency brake at the same time but it is very easy.

 

[Andre the Giant]

Who needs rear brakes? :laugh:

Back when I had a Midget, I remember the rears being somewhat of a pain, but not outrageous. The adjuster gave me fits though. I adjusted them one day and must have tightened them a bit too much. On the way home from work, at a stop sign, I noticed smoke coming from the one of the rear wheels. The drums were not far away from glowing.

I wish I had some knowledge to share, but I am currently MG-less. :frown:

 

[JPSmit]

which reminds me of the very cold snowy day years ago when my father drove his DKW to work with the rear wheel frozen. This was long before people knew about front wheel drive and there was enough ice that he didn't notice - the tire didn't turn, it just slid. he actually had someone follow him into the parking lot to find out how a car could drive without the wheel turning - thanks for the memory!

 

[DrEntropy]

I'm pleased this came back to help! DPO's have been into every part of these cars by now, so it points out you can take NOTHING for granted.


And WHERE'S JEFF?!?!?

 

[Hooper11772]

Since you all seem to be the rear brake experts do any of you have a trick for loostening a stuck rear adjuster. I cant get it to move and the rear hub bolts are rusted to the axel so I cant pull the whole thing like in the pic above to soak it. I don't want to round the square peg off but am getting frustrated.

 

[tosoutherncars]

Two words... Air tools. :wink: Your backing plate is stuck to the axle flange? Those four bolts are pretty accessible. Soak them with penetrating spray, let them sit for a day or two, and then get an air ratchet on them.

Otherwise... the adjuster is a square drive, like the oil drain plug. They make sets of three sockets that fit most such plugs... you might want to use the one you *can* get out to ensure you have a very good fit, before you put a breaker bar on it! And, once you get it out & clean, don't forget a good smear of copper / anti-sieze when it goes back together.

 

[startech47]

You want to use an 8 point socket. Sear's sells them.

 

[tosoutherncars]

If it's seized... my money is on an 8-point or 12-point stripping the nut. Call me the eternal pessimist. :wink: