MG-Cars.info

Welcome to our Site for MG, Triumph and Austin-Healey Car Information.

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG MGB Technical - Rear brakes

Many thanks Paul on your response to my "plea poor handbrake".Your comprehensive description on rear brakes was the best detail of brakes I have seen.My handbrake levers were fitted on the wrong side,so swapped them round.Result.Handbrake still useless.Please,please any more ideas?
Tony F
a.d fisher

As its all mechanical, check from the beginning. Does the handbrake lever move the cables at the back. If not theres where to start-adjuster isin the middle of the car close to the "other" end of the handbake lever. If the cable has stretched then you may need a new one as the adjuster can't make up for it. Just done mine and you have to take the drivers seat out to replace the cable. If it does move the cables, then the problem is at the brakes end. Are the adjusters set properly? You can remove the drum and GENTLY pull on the hand brake to see if the shoes move. If you pull to hard I suspect the whole shoe mechanism will either fly out or jam up on the springs.
Once you see where the movemnt stops you can start to investigate. Paul's notes and a haynes manual will help you to see which bit levers on which other bit causing a third bit to move /slide etc. M
Michael Beswick

Thanks Michael,I have tried all the obvious that you suggested.I am now of the opinion that as the brake shoes are new they may need to be bedded in.The drums were skimmed some while back and as a consequence the radius of the drum will be slightly larger than the new shoes,thus not making full contact with drum surface.Lets see how it goes.
a.d fisher

I assume the shoes are correctly adjusted? With skimmed drums, the adjusters will have to be wound out further than normal. When you say they are useless, do you mean there are too many clicks on the handbrake, or that the handbrake won't hold the car on a slope?
Mike Howlett

Thanks Mike.I meant the handbrake will not hold the car on a slope.The adjusters are scewed in so the linings just in contact with the drum,and the handbrake on 3 notches,pulled up with 2 hands?
I have checked the linings to the drum and they are in contact completely,so the radius of the linings is the same as the drum.I am now considering a new cable!
Tony F.
a.d fisher

Tony - Have you removed the equalizer assembly on the back of the rear axle to clean and lubricate it? If not, I would suggest that you do that before investing in a new cable. That equalizer assembly gets really gummed up with old grease and will not do its job until it is completely cleaned and lubricated. Cheers - Dave
David DuBois

Thanks Dave,I will give that a try.It does appear to move o.k.but I will dismantle all the same.
Tony F.
a.d fisher

Thanks again Dave,equaliser o.k.New cable it is then!
Tony F.
a.d fisher

Hopefully the end of handbrake problems.I fitted a new cable and handbrake works well now.Thanks to everyone who responded to my plea for. help.
Tony.F
a.d fisher

This thread was discussed between 29/05/2009 and 03/06/2009

MG MGB Technical index

This thread is from the archives. Join the live MG MGB Technical BBS now