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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Drum Brakes-and 1 other question.

Hello my midget comrades,
I'm in the process of repacking bearings and redoing brakes on my 75. I'm having difficulty removing one of the rear drums. It is very stuck and in Haynes it mentions the "spanner square" (which I have) to adjust the shoes for drum removal. What kind of tool do I need to adjust the "spanner square"? This is MG idiosyncrasy at it's finest. Also I'm replacing the front panel assembly (moss part #455-155) Any advice on taking the old one off without cutting the front end all up?
Thanks everyone for the insight!!
-MM75.


Mighty Midget 75

make sure the hand brake is off and the rods arent rusted in place holding the shoes tight in brake on position ... Hmmm that may only be on the 1275 for the rods I cant remember

spray some PB breaker around the studs, next to the drum... some times russt can build up there

there is a counter sunk phillips screw that mounts to each drum, on the front make sure thats removed

worst case a large 3 jaw pulley puller to remove the drum.

Prop
Prop

Thanks Prop- yep the brake is off- there's a good possibly it's rusted in place. The screws have been removed- so it looks like a 3 jaw puller might be in my future. :)
Mighty Midget 75

You can try loosening the "spanner square" using a 3/8" open end wrench (I believe). It's supposed to unscrew like a normal right hand thread. The other end has a taper that spreads the brake shoes to give you adjustment. When you get everything apart, take that part out and clean and lube it. To get it out you have to "screw it" in from the back side. You'll see what I mean. If that doesn't work you may have to use the puller because your drum may be rusted to the half shaft.

As for the front panel assembly, since I have a Frogeye, I can't help much but IIRC it's "just" bolted in.
Martin Washington

one way that has worked for me to get the rear drums off is to tap the wheel studs with a hammer, * notice that is tap, not bang the hell out of *. First make sure the adjusters are backed out as far as you can, then start tapping the studs evenly and the drum should begin to shift towards you slightly. Don't ask me why it works, as i've never done physics!
Chris Edwards

Hi Guys. I just googled Moss motors on your side of the pond and they have the very tool MM75 is looking for.
Drum brake adjuster wrench $8.95. Click on Tools and it's right there.
Hope this helps

Bernie.
b higginson

Try backing off the screw that holds the axle to the hub, visible through the third hole in the drum. I've had this work to start things going and then use a big screwdriver genlty on opposite side of the drum to work it off.
Tim Michnay

I bought a "spanner square " as a brake adjuster in a Canadian Tire or Handy Andy somewherein the New York Long Island area back in the sixties to adjust the drum brakes on my PONTIAC Station Wagon. ( USA hadn't heard of disc brakes at that time).
It fits the MG rear brake adjusters with no problems.Only cost about a $1.50.
AG Martin

This thread was discussed between 21/06/2010 and 25/06/2010

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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