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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Brake problem

I've just dragged the midget out of the garage screaming (me not the car,) as the brakes go on no problem, but don't release at all, unless I put my foot under the pedal and pull it up again. Next application of the brakes, the same result.

Am I looking at getting a new master cylinder ?

'65 Mk II Midget
Graham

It could be the same problem that Gary had yesterday - pedal seizing on the shaft.

Look on the 'general' side under "Some niggly problems sorted on the frog yesterday"
Dave O'Neill2

Yes, I was braces for a master cylinder replacement but was so relieved to find such a simple reason for the sticking brakes. The clutch pedal was completely free even though the brake pedal was seized tight onto the pedal box bolt/rod.
G Lazarus

Also worth trying a new spring. I was surprised how much difference it made when mine was slow returning.

Trev
T Mason

The bushing is just a 1/2" oil soaked bronze bushing pressed into the tube, for the pedal to rotate around.

You can take it apart and either clean up the bushing (and de-rust the long bolt that holds it all together), and lube everything real well, or you can press in new bushings (readily available because they are such a standard size).

Some folks have gone to the trouble of adding a grease nipple on the housing to allow lubrication later. However, a well lubricated, cleaned up assembly, ought to last at least as long as it lasted the first time before it needs lubricating again (somewhere north of 40 years).



Norm

Norm Kerr

This thread was discussed between 16/03/2014 and 17/03/2014

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG Midget and Sprite Technical BBS is active now.