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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - brake caliper repair

Hi all,
do anyone can tell me how to repair the brake calipers of my 77 midget? I bought a repair kit in UK but I do not know how to start.
A manual would be very helpful ore some pictures of how to do.
ms Smith

Ms Smith,

I would strongly recommend you take the caliper and the kit to a mech. shop. as you just dont want to make a mistake in this area...the price would be niel to have re-built, or go to ebay and purchase a nice re-built pair.

That Said, My next bit of advice is to find a local MG car club, there is always someone that knows the finite details, and can do the rebuild for you, or use your caliper as an example of how to rebuild a brake caliper in a weekly tech session.

another option ... try some a community tech school that teaches automotive repair...lots of times they need projects like this for hands on supervised learning for the students...and the cost is basic if any charge outide of parts and materials

as a last resort and not my favorite option for you, get a copy of the haynes Mg midget manual as all the specs and tolerances will be in there...Plus a haynes book on brake systems for a more broad based understanding

Prop
Prop

Hi Ms Smith

Lately well for a few years now the price of rebuilt brake calipers has been so cheap that it simply has not been realistic to do this yourself using a kit.

However I have rebuilt brake calipers on a number of occasions.

2 options are possible, removing and refitting the pistons with the caliper in one piece. This is extremely difficult.

Option 2 has the caliper split into 2 halves and is far easier to repair.

The hardest task is to get the piston out of the caliper halves. I do this by placing a piece of wood in between the 2 pistons where the disk would rest. and blow compressed air into the caliper. The pistons will come out as far as the wood. Then unbolt the caliper halves and simply remove he pistons the last few mm by hand.
Fit the new seals to the pistons lubricate with brake fluid and press them back into each half of the caliper.

Next you need to pass the dust shields over each piston and this will push locate into the caliper body. This is difficult to get in!!!

A new seal can be fitted between the 2 halves and the caliper bolted back together. Many people suggest new bolts, I have never used new bolts and o date never had any issues.

Bob
Robert (Bob) Midget Turbo

It’s a long time since I overhauled my callipers but I seem to remember it wasn’t that difficult. I used a G clamp to hold one piston in and pumped the opposing one out with the calliper connected to the car. Cleaned up the piston, took the calliper off the car, prised out the seal retaining ring, cleaned the bore and replace the seals and retaining ring. If I remember correctly fitting the inner seal is a bit tricky, make sure you don’t mark the bore. Connect back up to the car and repeat for the other side.

It’s over 15 years since I did this so if my memory is a little rusty I’m sure someone will correct me.
Rob Storer

Yes, Rob is right. The fiddly bit is getting the seal into place. Bear in mind that it is not unusual to need to replace a pitted piston and it is very usual to use up a second seal kit in the process of getting it right (especially on your first time). So look at the price of two rebuild kits and two pistons and compare that to the price of a pair of rebuilt calipers before you make the decision.

That said, I would still do it myself, but I make no claims to be normal.
David "and I do not pay anyone to change my oil" Lieb
David Lieb

thanks all for your support. Pistons have been orderd as well as the complete seal kit. When finished I will post.
ms Smith

This thread was discussed between 08/02/2010 and 12/02/2010

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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