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MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG MGA - Brake Callipers

I've had trouble with my front brakes 'dragging' after braking. They do ease off again after a short distance. Rather than mess about freeing off the pistons, I ordered a new pair from MGOC. I understand they are manufactured in China. I see after unpacking them they are not silver coloured but more a brass colour. I haven't fitted them yet and feel they'll look odd against my silver wire wheels. Has anyone had the same problem. Is there another answer?
John Stephens

They are zinc plated with a gold passivate rather than a clear passivate.

Only option is to paint them with silver caliper paint freely available from Ebay and maybe even Halfords.

Or live with it!!

Colin
Colin Parkinson

John
I hope I am wrong but are you sure that its the callipers that are at fault?
It could be the master cylinder or the brake hoses?
To test if its the hoses collapsing inside is quite easy. Apply the brake, and then immediately open the bleed valve. If it releases when the valve is opened it may well be the hose.
Graham V

Graham

I'm sure it's not the master cylinder as it was replaced 12 months ago. However the hoses have probably been on there forever. I'll check it out though. Thanks for your advice.

John
John Stephens

John,
there can be an issue with some of the new master cylinders currently available, particularly with the TRW m/s. (The Caparo master cylinder apparently doesn't have this problem)
They can be prone to a build up of residual brake pressure which can cause the brakes to drag.
Here's a link to the MGA Guru page which deals with this and how you can fix it.
http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/brakes/bt101r.htm

Cheers
Colyn
Colyn Firth

My '53 TD suffered from very weak braking on the right side. I thought it was probably a slave cylinder in need of rebuilding or replacement but, NO, it was a totally collapsed flex hose. It was almost impossible to get any fluid through the hose. The other hoses weren't much better. The hoses dated from at least 1974 if not before (maybe 1953). Four new flex hoses and it's like brand new brakes - hard pedal; even, straight line braking; all the good stuff.

Just because the hoses don't leak and look OK from the outside doesn't mean they actually allow fluid to pass.

Easy to check, cheap to replace and worth taking a look.

Jud
J K Chapin

Brake hoses are service items, and should be replaced regularly, at least at the same time as tyres. You shouldn't drive on ancient tyres, why should it be OK to drive on brake hoses that are even older in most cases?

I have had two cars through my hands in the last year or so where I was able to snap the brake hoses like a twig. They all looked as if they would be OK until I gave them a stress test!
Dominic Clancy

In the old days when I drove the A high mileage all the year round I got as far as thinking about making complete secondary fibreglass wings but I was concerned over brake cooling.
Paul Dean

This thread was discussed between 02/03/2021 and 05/03/2021

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