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MG MGA - Bent Brake pad retaining pin

I recently heard a noise from the front wheel on my 1963 1600. Upon investigation I found the pin that retains the pads in the caliper had been bent by a pad trying to escape. The retaining spring was missing. I don't know if the spring failed or if the pad (somehow) backed out and bent the pin, releasing the spring. It looked like the pin had backed out of the hole in the inside half of the caliper, then was bent back by the pressure of the pad.

Has anyone seen this? I've ordered a new pin and spring but just wnated to know if I should look further for issues.
Bruns

Bruns,
I found exactly the same problem a few years ago when I heard a faint tinkling noise from one of the front brakes.
I was horrified when I found the pad retaining pin hanging out and the spring clip just hanging there. See the first pic.
I was away from home and so I re-bent the spring, pushed in the pin and used some safety wire to fasten the clip and pin into place until I got home.

The spring-clip had gone soft so I ordered some new clips and pins from Moss and all was well again.

I now keep some spare clips and pins in my car, just in case. But I also check them on the car more regularly for my own peace of mind. ( I suppose it is possible that those springs and pins could have been on the car for over 60 years.)

Cheers
Colyn

(The 2nd pic shows that the old spring-clip had flattened quite a lot.)






Colyn Firth

I have just had a look through the Archive on the this MGA Bulletin Board and found the thread that I started about this problem back in 2017.
Look up "IMPORTANT Brake Safety Stuff" in the Archive.(sorry I cant post the link using my mobile phone)

There were some really clever suggestions to make the pins even more secure.
Cheers
Colyn
Colyn Firth

Got into my PC at last, so here is the link to the "IMPORTANT Brake Safety Stuff" Archive Post that I mentioned earlier.

https://mg-cars.org.uk/cgi-bin/or17?runprog=mgbbs&access=&mode=archiveth&subject=6&subjectar=6&thread=2017030120133617264

Cheers
Colyn Firth

Colyn - Thanks so much for the quick response. Now, at least I know I’m not going crazy. From your picture, it looks like you caught it a few miles before I did.

Confessing, I don’t know if I replaced the springs during the frame-up restoration 5 years ago – (I can’t possibly go thru the 2 folders of receipts that I keep hidden under the stairs 😉)

Does anyone think the new springs can’t hold up to heat? I’ve never tracked this car, but I do admit I often revert to “accelerate hard – brake hard” when given the chance.

I will be checking often – luckily, it’s an easy check. I bought extra springs for comparison.
Advice to others – If you order parts for your car, add a retaining spring ($ 2.00?) for comparison next time you remove your wheels. Cheap, and could prove very helpful.

Again – Thanks, Colyn for responding.
Frank Bruns
Bruns

Frank & Colyn - had a similar problem back in 2014 - now carry spare springs and no problems since then.

I assume this is equivalent to carrying an umbrella on a possibly rainy day?

- Ken
KR Doris

Hi Colin

I noticed in your caliper picture that the through bolt has a tab washer under its head. Is the caliper one of the aftermarket silver or gold painted ones, or an earlier restoration?

Cheers
Dave
Bolney Coupe

Sorry Dave, I just saw this.

Also, afaik, they are original MGA callipers which came with the car when I got it 16 years ago.

But they may well not be the original ones that came with the car.

When I first saw my car at Bob Wests, it was in race-car form, complete with roll cage, lowered race suspension and full race engine but I loved it.

So the roll cage came off, I swapped to a more suitable engine for the road, fitted a new interior, hood and a heater.

But I retained the race suspension and the brakes.
The brakes have always been excellent but apart from uprated pads, I think the callipers are pretty much standard.

Cheers
Colyn
Colyn Firth

This thread was discussed between 22/03/2022 and 28/03/2022

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