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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Replacing front brake shoes

I am in the process of replacing the front slave cylinders on my frogeye.
After inspection, I thought I would temporarily replace the existing set up whilst awaiting delivery of the new slaves.
But I just couldn't get the shoes back on. I think I must be missing a trick.
My usual procedure is to lay out the shoes on the floor, and put the two springs in place adjoining the shoes. Then pick up the whole assembly of shoes and springs, and put the upper shoe in place, followed by the lower one, which should be hanging by the springs.
The problem I am finding is that on the front brakes, there are of course two slave cylinders, and there is not a wide enough gap for the springs to slip easily between the slaves and the hub assembly.
It seems the only way to do it will be to attach the springs (or perhaps the second spring) after the shoes have been offered up to the car. But as the springs run along the back of the shoes, you need very small hands as there is very little wiggle room.

Is there an easier way? - thanks
Graham V

A fresh experience every time, I find. And this time I forgot that on the fronts you have to use the upper hole on the shoe: got everything in place easily, and was just congratulating myself when I noticed that the assembly was slopping around.

My method was to attach the front spring to the bottom shoe last, with the shoe webs in front of the cylinders and no adjuster assemblies, then work the non-notched webs into the slots in the back end of the cylinders, then use a screwdriver over the hub to lever the other end of the shoes enough to slide the adjuster assemblies in.

Inevitably it will be different next time.
Nick and Cherry Scoop

I think you've already done very well, I can't fit the shoes with both springs on with only one cylinder in the way let alone two.

I'm pretty sure you can/could(?) buy brake spring pliers (sets(?)) or struggle with various bent nose, narrow nose, small, medium, ect., pliers. I couldn't and wouldn't use fingers.

When I was doing mine last the first time I put the shoes on with no effort, of course for various reasons shoes were on and off a few times but only the first time with ease, a couple of times it was walk away and have a mug of tea to avoid further frustration.
Nigel Atkins

Nick and Nigel

Thanks for the feedback. Good to know it's not just me!
i will let you know how I get on.
Graham
Graham V

Hi
Promised to report back.
Only just had timeto finish the job. With new enthusiasm it was much easier than first time around.
Thanks Nick as your suggestion certainly helped.
In case it is of help to anyone, I connected just the rear spring and then offered the shoes and rear spring up to position. But I didn't put any tension on the shoes, and let them hang freely round the hub, rather than placing in position on rear slave. Then I put front spring in place, a little fiddly but not hard.
With both springs in place, I put the ends of the shoes on the slaves, but without the snail adjusters in place. So not difficult. Then I levered each end up in turn to insert the slave.
Job done!

Thanks for your help/encouragement - much easier this time. Graham
Graham V

The last line should of course read "...to insert the snail adjusters"
Graham V

Glad it worked, Graham. I levered the shoes up just a little gingerly, in case everything went boing-g-g-g, but so far it hasn't happened (health and safety warning).
Nick and Cherry Scoop

This thread was discussed between 26/03/2018 and 07/04/2018

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