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brake problem

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spudrocket

Freshman Member
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Hello again,
My 1972 MGB pulls bad to the right when I brake.This happens for one second and then straightens out for a normal stop.I have replaced pads,shoes and caliper rebuild.Is anyone fomiliar with the (pressure diferential warning actuater)and can it be a problem.When I press the button on the dash for this ,the red lite does come on .Is that normal .I have bled the brakes twice.Thanks for any advice,Ben :banana:
 
Flex lines are probably going bad from the insides. Replace them and see what it does. Also the dash warning lamp is working correctly...Maybe...When pressing the lamp it is just to test the bulb. If the rest of the system is good and working proper then the light will come on when a problem occurs. Thats how i understand the system should work. Bob
 
I haven't delved into the MG brake system yet (just bought a '72) but I am familiar with other manufacturer's brake systems. When a pressure differential occurs between the two systems (front / back) a slider in the master cylinder will move in the direction of the lower pressure. This causes the slider to complete a circuit that lights the brake warning light. As Bob said, pushing on the light button just ensure that it is working. Since your warning light is not coming on when you press the brake the pressure between the two system is not unbalanced. Again, Bob is probably right that something is restricting flow to the left front caliper. A clogged / collapsed line is a good suspect. You might want to check the sealing gasket (o ring) around the caliper pistons to ensure that they are installed correctly. Most of the caliper piston o rings have a taper to them the allows the piston to withdraw a little after the brake pedal has been released. If the right front piston was not withdrawing a little after you let off on the brake, the next time you applied the brake it would make contact before the left brake pads.

Tim
 
The first thing that I do when the brakes start pulling to one side is to take the car out on a gravel road and stand on the brakes at about 10 mph, then get out and look at the skid marks. The problem could be a wheel on one side not grabbing soon enough or the other side grabbing too soon - the skid marks will tell you which wheel has the problem.
Cheers,
 
And, try to see if the pull is turning the wheel or the car.
If the steering wheel, front brakes.
If the car, rears.

Easier to show someone than to explain it.....but if the fronts are the problem, it will try to spin the steering wheel to that side (the side pulling....which may also be an indication, as said, that the hose on the OTHER side it bad).
If the rears, it will try to swing the nose around the rear brake doing the excess dragging, and not spin the steering wheel (altho, after a bit, the wheel will start to slowly turn).

I did this stuff for almost 40 years, and taught all sorts of youngsters this.
It's a feel.

Dave
 
Bob beat me to it. Flex lines if it's pulling the wheel... If it pulls from the back right it'll be a problem with shoes/cylinders. Determine which end is grabbing by using the "two Daves" advice and proceed accordingly. :wink:
 
Hello again,I changeg the flex lines today ,and the brakes are perfect.Thanks to everyone who helped me.This forum is great.Thanks again,Ben
 
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