Adjusting Rear Drum Brakes 64' Sprite

[z0sense]

Just a quick question.

I am new to British cars. This 1964 MKII Spite is my first

Just wondering how to a adjust the rear drums. I see the adjusting screw at the bottom of the brake.

If anyone has a technique or some helpful info, let me know.

Cheers

 

[Tullamore]

That screw at the bottom is it. If yours is stuck you should purchase a brake adjuster wrench so that you don't end up stripping it. Just tighten it till the brakes just start to engage and then back it off a little bit.

 

[z0sense]

thanks for the info. going to finish it up this evening and take her out for a spin

 

[spritenut]

Hold on just a sec.
Is your 64 an early or late?
Later 64s went to disc brakes and with the discs the rear brakes changed too. Those adjust via a 5/16 square adjuster behind the back plate.
Early all drum Sprites used a straight screw inside the brake drum. It is accessable via a hole in the stock rim and a rubber plug in the brake drum that should be lined up with the hole in the wheel.
Just use a screw driver on this set up.

Frank

 

[Tullamore]

I always wondered why that plug was there, I thought it was to able to check the brakes without taking the drum off.

 

[George Zeck]

It's a small screw /adjuster. Easy adjustment. I had toreplace the master cyl -- used Apple Hydraulic. Works well. I also have a 64 -- feel free to send me Q's.

Tx-

George Zeck
1964 Sprite MKII

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hammer.gif

 

[Bugeye58]

Frank, they went to discs in '63. My '62 has drums, the '63 has discs, and they're original.
Jeff

 

[z0sense]

I have the screw behind the backplate. I have disc up front as well.

I appreciate the offer George I am sure you will be hearing from me /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[john_j]

Make sure there's some slack in the handbrake cable before you adjust the brake shoes. If the cable is pulling on the lever that sticks out of the wheel cylinder, you'll never get the shoes adjusted correctly. (Voice of experience, having made this mitake when I rebuilt my car....)

 

[77MidgetMkIV]

I have that access plug on the front of my new drums for my '77 midget as well. I also thought it was for access! I have the square nut on the backplate, and disc up front. They must've kept the original part design to use up the surplus and save some $$.