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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Handbrake Adjustment

I have checked the archives and the Haynes manual but I still am unsure of the next step. I have adjusted the rear brakes on my 1275 midget by taking them up to the locked point and then backing them off until each wheel turns with a slight drag. The hand brake then brings the nearside to locked at the 4th click but the off side still moves, albeit with some force required. I looked at the rod mechanism and it appears to be working properly although I noticed most of the adjustment thread has been taken up. I cannot see any balance adjustment on the rods to enable both sides to be activated by the same amoount. Have I missed something? I have not taken the drum off as the brake locked up properly when I used the adjuster. Any thoughts will be most appreciated.

Ray
Ray Rowsell

if your rods have threaded adjustment then they are not original. If only one is threaded then it's probably been installed set to the wrong length? Could consider getting a pair of original rods and if necessary drilling out the holes to use next size up clevis pins.
Or you could upgrade to the late 1500 cable.
David Smith

The compensator on the rear axle is supposed to supply the same effort to brake levers on both sides. If with handbrake on 4 'clicks' one side is completely locked and the other can be rotated, I'd check for contamination of the shoes (with EP90 or brake fluid...), or wear, or ...

A
Anthony Cutler

The compensators commonly stick; take it apart and lube everything. Then it should work.

FRM
FR Millmore

Thanks everyone for the tips. I tried again this afternoon and I think it is now ok - it's certainly much better. I was pretty sure the shoes were ok as they locked up completely when I used the adjuster so I went back over the adjustment procedure and lubricated the joints. I am not convinced my original attempt at adjustment was accurate. The car was on stands with the wheels on so access was not as good as it could have been. Today I moved the stands and removed the wheel then I readjusted the brakes. I then lubricated and "wiggled" all the rod joints. Both rear wheels now lock when the handbake is applied although it comes up (just) to the 5th click. There is very little more adjustment available on the cable so I guess it has stretched. Is this likely? The car has had no use in the last year so this probably is the reason for the "tightness" on the rod joints.

Thanks again for the advice.

Ray
Ray Rowsell

yes it does as far as I know, part of the reason for the adjuster nuts

the handbrake has two nipples you need to grease as part of the regular servicing

deatails on this and many other apsects of ownership and servicing can be found in reprint copies of the excellent owners Handbook - (Ref; 0057) - http://www.mgocshop.co.uk/catalog/Online_Catalogue_Handbooks_5.html
Nigel Atkins

Thanks Nigel,

I have a copy of the handbook which I will now "dig out". I have relied on my Haynes so far. I have had the car for some time so I know the nipples have been well greased in the past. For personal reasons and my lack of motivation the car has had very little (no?) use for more than a year and further maintenance over the weekend and today makes me believe that this lack of use is the reason for some of the minor problems I have experienced e.g. headlamp flasher didn't want to work today. Nothing obviously wrong, a little fiddling about, ran engine with headlights on, flicked flasher a few times, bingo it works properly!! Hopefully, I can get the MOT sorted and make up for those missed miles.

Ray
Ray Rowsell

Ray, personally I'd say 100% the lack of use has helped to cause problems

Drive the car as much as you can, as regularly as you can to iron out these problems

Then keeep driving the car as much as you as regularly as you can to keep the problems at bay

As you drive the car more and get less problems you'll remember why you bought it and enjoy it even more

I think the Haynes only compliments the owners Handbook use this first especially for owning, driving and servicing matters

I honestly think if you reread the owners Handbook it will refresh your memory on some things you'd forgot and how to do them in the correct manner

Passing the MOT doesn't mean the car is as good as it could be so I'd suggest you run through a 12,000/year servicing at the very least checking everything if not changing or replacing

Double up on the strokes of the grease gun to shift the tired grease for fresh

Nigel Atkins

Nigel,

Thanks for your thoughts. I am in the process of doing a 12,000 mile service as well as anything else I can think of. As you say, I am rediscovering why I bought it more than 10 years ago. I am even enjoying some of the frustrations!! e.g. changing the short, 90degree bend bottom radiator hose. I hope I am nearly there that's why I am now doing the simple things such as checking the lights and even cleaning the wire wheels.

Cheers,

Ray
Ray Rowsell

Ray, I know what you mean about that little hose, keep your eye on new rubber tho'

Drive the car for a while and enjoy it

I then think it's better to prevent than repair so I suggest:

keep up with the full and proper servicing and maintainence

always have the battery in good condition and all battery connections and leads clean, secure and protected, and as you're doing, same for all electrical wiring and connections

In the Handbook have a look at the servicing schedule and look at the items on the later servicing after 12,000 again at the very least checking those items if not changing or replacing

consider the last time you changed:
brake/clutch fluid
coolant(?)
HT leads, dissy cap, rotor arm (buy good quality ones) - http://www.distributordoctor.com/rotor_arms.html
fan belt
gearbox and back axle oils

also check the age of your tyres if they are 6 years old or more replace ASAP regardless of tread depth, this will improve the braking, steering, ride, handling and possibly noise and safety of the car greatly

the more you do the better and enjoyable the car will be, keep using it regularly all year round and you'll get more enjoyment, better running and better value out of your car

look at the MOT as a welcome check of minimum standards of some items and you'll have your car above and beyond it with regular full and proper servicing and maintainence - next year's MOT will then be a walk over




Nigel Atkins

This thread was discussed between 12/05/2011 and 17/05/2011

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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