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help! replacing brakes

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pethia

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1979 midget: I am interested in replacing rear brakes and fronts as well. I took a look at the rears first and had a couple of questions:
1. where is the adjustment wheel on the rear drums? Also, after removing the tire and rim I noticed a couple of phillips head screws that appeared to hold on the drum. Any tips on getting those out? Also, there was another phillips head that was not holding on the drum , but rather under the drum. It didn't seem to want to move either.

2. I moved to the front brakes. I noticed that the caliper was not similar to what I have seen on more recent autos. When I loosened the two outside bolts that looked like they would let me remove the caliper to get at the pads...brake fluid started to drip our a bit...I quickly replaced them and tightened them back up. So..how does the caliper come off? Where are the caliper slides that are usually found on the backside of the caliper? How do you remove the caliper to get the pads out?
Thannks!
 
I seem to think it is time for a workshop manual.
 
I second what Jack said!

But in the mean time......

On the rears there should be a rubber plug OR a big hole through the drum. Rotate the drum until this hole lines up wit h the adjuster.

On the front you have to remove the two bolts from the back of the caliper. It sounds like you loosened the bolts holding the caliper halves together.

HTH for now.


Ben
 
Hold on Bugeye Ben, this is a '79 Midget. The adjuster on the back (square head approx 5/16"... I think) Most likely one or both adjusters are frozen.

You split the front calipers (AAACK!). It might behoove you to buy some rebuilt units and replace them now. BTW, they come loose from the two bolts in the back... but I think the pads are replaceable without removing the calipers.
 
Bugeye Ben, I like it.

Ok guys, from now on Bugeye Ben it is or Bugeye Ben in SC.
 
I would second getting rebuilt calipers since it sounds like you separated the halves. Removing the two bolts holding it to the swivel axle would produce no fluid. Don't take any chances with your brakes.

The procedure is straight forward, but I would get familiar with Mr. Haynes.
 
pethia said:
1979 midget: I am interested in replacing rear brakes and fronts as well. I took a look at the rears first and had a couple of questions:
1. where is the adjustment wheel on the rear drums? Also, after removing the tire and rim I noticed a couple of phillips head screws that appeared to hold on the drum. Any tips on getting those out? Also, there was another phillips head that was not holding on the drum , but rather under the drum. It didn't seem to want to move either.

2. I moved to the front brakes. I noticed that the caliper was not similar to what I have seen on more recent autos. When I loosened the two outside bolts that looked like they would let me remove the caliper to get at the pads...brake fluid started to drip our a bit...I quickly replaced them and tightened them back up. So..how does the caliper come off? Where are the caliper slides that are usually found on the backside of the caliper? How do you remove the caliper to get the pads out?
Thannks!
Click to expand...

I agree with the others, get a workshop manual or a Haynes manual at the very least.

The adjuster for the rears is the square shaped thing protruding from the rear of the backing late pointing toward the differential. If they haven't been touched in a while, they might be sticky. They can come out if you take the brakes apart and drive the adjusters clockwise. Put some anti-seize on the threads to keep them from sticking again.

The bolts you removed hold the front caliper halves together. Not good, those shouldn't be disturbed, or they might leak even after you tighten the bolts back up. (BTW, since you did disturb them, you'll need to bleed the hydraulics now /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/nonono.gif ). The pads are held in place by the two big cotter pins and come out through the opening toward the wheel well.

Again, get a service manual so you aren't guessing at what's what. Moss Motors or Victoria British should be able to help you out there.
 
You don't need to remove the caliper to replace the pads. Just pull the pins through the ears on the pads, remove the old, push the pistons back, and slide in the new pads. Replace the pins and you're done.
The brake drum screws are #3 PoziDrive screws, not Phillips head. Get the correct driver, or you'll bugger up the screws.
The screw under the drums snugs the axle flange to the hub. You don't have to remove it unless you are taking the axle shaft out.
I recommend the Bentley manual, as it's a virtual re-print of the factory book.
Jeff
 
I've attached "the corporate picture" to show what a rear needs to look like - PM me your email and I'll send the article from Classic Motorsports on rebuilding calipers - it's not hard and splitting the caliper is the only way to go. Yes a manual is critical but you can get and start on this stuff
good luck!

The back of the bottom is the adjustment bolt. The rubber stopper On the back if you could see it) does nothing.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/10772705@N05/1122382070/

and this is passenger side - drivers is opposite
 
Mg Midger 1500 brakes-keep asking questions, I will be doing mine next weekend and the manual is not always clear,all this is very helpful. Thanks for all the information-Jim
 
btw the bolts that you removed from the front calipers need to be torqued to between 33.5 and 37 lbs.
 
thanks to all for your help! I adjusted the rears, bleed the fronts and the front pads looked great...so didn't touch them.
 
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