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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Uneven Brake Pad Wear


I have just had the MOT on the midget, all well but it was noted that the pads were getting a bit worn.

As I had a set on the shelf, I changed them when I got home. One pair were worn and needed replacing the other pair are fine. As I have just had the MOT, I know both front callipers were working and to the same effect.

I think they have done about 5 – 6K miles if that is relevant to this issue

Any ideas?

Mike
Mike Dixon

6k miles is rather short unless you are racing/or rallying !! The green stuff pads in my car have done 15K and are barely 1/2 worn

Does the wheel where the pads are more worn rotate freely? Is there any restriction.
Worth jacking the car up and getting someone to apply the footbrake. then release and see how quickly the wheel can move freely. Do this on both sides to compare.
If there is drag then this could be sticky caliper pistons, a partially blocked flexible brake hose or other blockage in the brake line
when was the the brake fluid last changed?

Bob Beaumont

Mike,
unless the MoTer gave you figure you can't know exactly that both front callipers were working and to the same effect.

"(b) Brakes imbalance across an axle such that:

(i) the braking effort from any wheel is less than 70% of the maximum effort recorded from the other wheel on the same axle. Or in the case of testing on the road, the vehicle deviates excessively from a straight line
(ii) the braking effort from any wheel is less than 50% of the maximum effort recorded from the other wheel on a steered axle".

"Efficiency requirements
M1 vehicles having a service brake operating on at least 4 wheels and which were first used:
- on or after 1 September 2010 - 58%
- before 1 September 2010 - 50%".

Always bear in mind an MoT is just one trained professional person's opinion that the car has passed all the minimum statutory requirement at the moment of time of testing and not that the car is necessarily as good as it could, or should, be.
Nigel Atkins

I was there, observing the MOT, with the same guy I have been going to for years, and the numbers were give or take the same both sides. We are both keen that it is safe as we use for special tests and rallies which does put it under some pressure - but not enough as Bob notes to account for that amount of wear .

I think the binding theory is probably the most likely so I will have a look at that in the morning. If I can see nothing I will pop back next week and get them to have a look - they can spot stiff in 30 seconds I spend all afternoon chasing. Impressive and annoying in equal measure.
Mike Dixon

Fair enough Mike.

30 seconds work for them to spot a stiff caliper perhaps. 😁
Nigel Atkins

I had a dragging disc that was caused by a corroded piston. Just a little patch of rust that stopped it retracting. Cleaning the rust off didn't work, replacing the piston did.
Les Rose

This thread was discussed between 12/08/2022 and 15/08/2022

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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