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MG TD TF 1500 - Making Shimmed Adjuster Brake Masks

Hi, just posting this for the archive if someone is looking for brake adjustment information in the future. We were going to buy shimmed brake masks and discovered they are no longer available.

The forum has given me a tremendous technical resource and I often search for several days gathering information before working on my wife's car. Hopefully, this might provide additional information and/or ideas to a member working with brake adjuster masks and help supplement what is already available on the forum.

Being about ready for medicare :-), I started life with drum brakes and riveted my share of linings when younger. The riveted linings these cars originally used were usually thicker than later bounded linings to account for the rivet thickness (IMO and experience). So, even without surfacing drums, you probably have less brake adjustment than optimum if you buy Moss bonded brake shoes. Our drums did and they were within spec.

1/8-inch shims worked perfectly for the rear drums and there is a very slight sound when the drum turns and hits a high spot on the linings when on the lowest adjustment (before running the car and completely centering the shoes). 1/16-inch shims were perfect for the front drums (with two cylinders/adjusters). Obviously, you can sand the shims if needed.

OK, the main reason for this post: I silver brazed the shims to new masks using a 56% silver brazing rod. This allows you to braze the shims at 1150 to 1200 F with 71,000 psi or greater strength (strong). And, this is easily done with a swirl-tip BernzOmatic torch using Mapp-Pro gas available at any Home Depot or Loews. Total cost for the torch/brazing rod/flux was under $100 if you don't already have them.

First picture is a comparison of the 1/8-inch, 1/16-inch and stock masks (new ones are cold galvanized).

WHTroyer

Closeup showing nice fillet after brazing.

WHTroyer

WH - Are you going to offer these shimmed masks for sale? I am sure that a fair number of people would be interested in them. Cheers - Dave
DW DuBois

They look good,,, but I have been using penneys for many miles without any problems. This pic was taken during a bearing regreasing,, rubber bands are there just to keep the wheel cylinder all together.
Steve

Steve Wincze

Hi, Steve.

Saw references from you concerning using pennys as brake shims several times and considered using them. But, decided to use brazed shims in case there was an investigation by my wife's life insurance company :-) . Just kidding.

However, a penny would not have been sufficient for the rear brakes.

Regards, Bill.

WHTroyer

Hi Dave.

First, I would like to thank you for all of the great information you gave me when using the search function. There should be a "Hall of Fame" for members like you!

No, too busy with the house and wife's car. Just hoped it would help someone else in the same position restore and use their cars. Have driven several MG's with reduced braking because of the brake adjuster problem.

Regards, Bill.

WHTroyer

This thread was discussed on 11/05/2016

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