MGB MGB rear break rebuild

[Carlbanan56]

I am currently overlooking my rear brakes, and both of the cylinders are leaking. So I will have to buy new ones. My question is if I should order anything else for the rear brakes while I am at it? It is an MGB 1975 that has not run in 25 years. I was thinking of getting a new shoe set and springs but I still want to be cost-effective. Is skipping out on the springs a bad idea?

Young and inexperienced

 

[Mickey Richaud]

In order to replace the wheel cylinders, you'll have to remove the brake shoes, which involves removing the springs as well. If I were doing the job, I'd replace everything. Spring kits aren't that expensive ($25 or $30 for both sides), and there's always the chance that one or more might be weak or broken or lost in the process.

 

[Carlbanan56]

Okay thank you, I will buy a spring kit and the cylinders. Is it necessary to buy new shoes and new drums?

 

[Mickey Richaud]

Okay thank you, I will buy a spring kit and the cylinders. Is it necessary to buy new shoes and new drums?

Shoes, yes, I would; drums, maybe. But depending on their condition, you can probably get by with just cleaning them up well and lightly sanding the inner surface. If you look inside the drum, you should find the maximum allowed inside diameter; if over that, then you'll need new drums. Other than that, you may be lucky and only have to have them checked and perhaps turned at a machine shop.

 

[Grantura_MKI]

please don’t neglect the flex hose that carries the fluid from the hard line to the axle.

 

[Mickey Richaud]

please don’t neglect the flex hose that carries the fluid from the hard line to the axle.

Absolutely - good call!

 

[Carlbanan56]

please don’t neglect the flex hose that carries the fluid from the hard line to the axle.

That was the first thing I bought for the front breaks