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Squeaky Brakes

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healeygal

Jedi Warrior
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The last few days, the brakes are starting to squeak when coming to a normal stop. Seems to get worse (louder) after driving around a while. Checked front and rear driver's side linings - friend says plenty left. They are glued on, I think - at any rate, no rivets showing. Won't be able to check passenger side for a couple of days. Was having a problem with brakes grabbing a few months ago, but three new hoses and master cylinder kit took care of that. Didn't do anything to brake linings, drums or wheel cylinders (no leaks). I guess now that the engine's running good, the car doesn't want to stop...it's always something!

Read a post from 3/06 re new brake linings - Porterfield. They are just down the road apiece - about 10 miles! Scrap the old linings and go with a set of those?

Sharon
BN1
 
Hi Sharon, I think if you did not see any rivets in those linings then I think they are glued on too and Bonded ,Glued, Linings have a propensity for squealing. I would suggest that the shoes be relined with riveted linings and the drums arched to fit. Oh its just --Keoke- /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
Hi Sharon,
My brakes were relined by Porterfield with R4-S lining. It is riveted and bonded. The don't make any noise & pedal pressure is about 1/2 as much for the same stopping ability. Just like adding power brakes. No fade under repeated heavy use. I can quite easily lock up the wheels now, something that was doubtful with the old generic bonded lining. As Keoke said, absolutely have the lined shoes "arced" to your exact drum diameters.
https://www.porterfield-brakes.com/porterfieldckshoes.html

BTW, the drums are originally surface hardened, don't have them reground unless absolutely necessary. It will remove the hard surface. My drums showed absolutely no wear at 80,000 plus miles.
D
 
Hi Keoke and Dave,

Thanks for the quick replies - this forum is the greatest! Those Porterfields sound super! Think I'll head down there tomorrow and talk to them - "Why call when you can go in your Healey" is my motto!

I drive thru the LA area (near the top of the "worst traffic in America" list) quite a bit getting to where I am going - car shows, etc. It'll be great to be able to stop in a shorter distance rather than having to leave a lot of room behind the car in front, 'cause leaving any kind of a gap in front of you just invites people to cut in.

Keoke,

Didn't see you at PV - you missed the story of the Healey falling off the truck...OK, OK, it wasn't that bad, but it might as well have been! We'll catch you next time!

Sharon
 
YUP I blew it, forgot all about it. Actually I was sweating an up coming building inspection that monday.Didn't need to sweat breezed through it. However, I will have a word with you next time. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif---Keoke
 
[ QUOTE ]


YUP I blew it, forgot all about it. Actually I was sweating an up coming building inspection that monday.Didn't need to sweat breezed through it. However, I will have a word with you next time. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif---Keoke

[/ QUOTE ] yup things go alot smoooda when the inspector fellas leave dar glasses at home! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/devilgrin.gif
 
Forgot to post a follow-up to my brake problem. Took the shoes and drums in to Porterfield and got them back a few days later. They've been on the car about a month now and work really well - less pedal pressure and shorter stopping distance, like a normal modern-day car - thanks for the info, Dave!

But...the drums had to be reground and came back marked 11.030. Do I have a problem/am I going to have a problem/should I start looking for another set?

Also, the handbrake doesn't release every once in a while. The cable broke and was changed a while back - is there some adjustment that can/should be made?

Sharon
BN1
 
My originals were rivetted, shoes now just bonded, dont think they are asbestos now though, dont squeak either
If its anything like my VW clutch cable, you have to have the curves in the cable about right, did they lube it?
 
Hi Sharon,
The hand brake could just need a little lubing. I think your car is set up the same as mine. There are a couple grease fittings for the handbrake. One is in the middle of the cable (maybe under the battery area for a BN1) The other is behind the rear axle where the hand brake cable ends and rods branch out to the wheels, photo enclosed. Sorry if I’m unclear, it’s 5AM.
283095-handbrakelinkage.jpg
 
healeygal, as greg stated by all means lube the cable, and yes there is an adjustment its found at the cable end r/s rear of the car there is a "fork" with a "lock nut" parts 21 and 22 resp. in moss catlg. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/savewave.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]

But...the drums had to be reground and came back marked 11.030. Do I have a problem/am I going to have a problem/should I start looking for another set?
Sharon
BN1

[/ QUOTE ]
Hi Sharon,
My unworn original drums actually measure 11.005". Your 11.030 drums are likely only cut about .0125" deep, .025" over diameter, to give this new size. I suspect that the original surface hardening was more than .0125 deep so there should be no problem. It will likely take a very long time before wear problems show up.

Others have covered the hand brake problem pretty well. The only thing I will add is that the rear wheel cylinders must slide fairly easy in their backing plate mounting slots for the hand brake to release easily. The cylinder, backing plate, retaining clip assembly should be lubed with some high temperature brake grease.

Don't know if I should mention this - The "non-fling" motorcycle chain lubes/waxes work quite well for lubing such things as the sliding wheel cylinders. A very SMALL amount dribbled onto the joints will penetrate where it needs to be, & then setup to a thick temperature resistant non-run consistency. Same thing with the sliding brake shoe anchor abutments. I think it is actually better than the special Girling "Green" lube.

Check the hand brake pivot points at the ends of the cross actuating rods also. A drop of motor oil helps here.
Best to you,
D
 
Thanks to all for the handbrake info - sounds like a fun Thanksgiving day post-meal project to me!

And thanks, Dave, for the info on the drums. It's a big relief to hear they're OK. I've got the info printed out for future reference, and I'll just plan on coasting a lot to minimize wear and tear. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

The new Porterfield brakes are great - not only the better performance during normal driving conditions, but just knowing I've got better stopping power in an emergency really gives me peace of mind while driving the car, because that's always been a big concern for me here in the LA/OC area.

Sharon
BN1
 
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