MG-Cars.net

Welcome to our resource for MG Car Information.

Recommendations

Parts

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 - brakes

I am trying to rebuilt the brake system in my 59 mga coupe. As I have said before when I bought the car it was for the most part disassembled. The brake system was gone. Not being a master mechanic or a mechanic of any kind I am having trouble reassembling the brake cylinders and other pieces. I was wondering if anyone had a photo of a wheel completed. I have read the manuals but a pic sometimes is much easier to comprehend. If anyone can oblige I would greatly appreciate it.
Thanks
Bud W
S.A. White

See here: http://mgaguru.com/guest/mgashop/mcrebuild.htm
Barney Gaylord

Gday Bud, I also have a 59 coupe . BW


Bob Walker

Oh, assembly of drum brakes at the wheels:
http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/brakes/bt121.htm
Barney Gaylord

Thanks guys for the help. There is one more question regarding the brake issue. Is there a special tool that you use to put the springs in place. I can connect one side but I cannot pull the spring enough by hand to connect the last hole on the other side. Is there a secret? It seems easier if the hub was out of the way but I didn't want to remove it if not necessary.
Thanks
Bud W
S.A. White

Bud

to join the two shoes with the springs, fold the shoes towards you like a butterfly closing its wings, and once you have the retracting springs fitted, you can just push the shoes back against the back plate and then fit the beehive springs to hold them in place.

Dominic
Dominic Cancy

The springs go behind the shoes.

For rear brakes see here: http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/brakes/pics/drum_brakes_4.jpg

Put the springs on the shoes first, then present the shoes to the backing plate. The rear shoes mount into three fixed slots and the one articulated brake adjuster. Position first the shoe the goes into two fixed slots in the slave cylinder and the fixed abutment. With the lower spring connected, assemble the second shoe with the adjuster against the piston end of the slave cylinder. Then with the upper spring in place, pull the remaining end of the second shoe to stretch the spring, and set the shoe end into the last slot on the fixed abutment. Install the coil compression springs last.

For front drum brakes see here: http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/brakes/pics/drum_brakes_2.jpg

Front assembly procedure is much the same. install/position one shoe first. With one spring connected, assemble the second shoe with the adjuster against the piston end of the slave cylinder. Then with the second spring in place, pull the remaining end of the second shoe to stretch the spring, and set the shoe end into the last slot on the slave cylinder. There are no coil compression springs on the front brakes.
Barney Gaylord

Thanks guys for the info. It is such a blessing to have access to those who are so knowledgeable. When you read the procedures it seems so easy that you ask yourself why you did not think of it. I believe I can handle it from here but don't be surprised to hear from me.
Thanks again
Bud W
S.A. White

Attached Photo of front before I started restoration project.


Ron Bissland

Front end all restored. ;)


Ron Bissland

This thread was discussed between 17/01/2014 and 22/01/2014

MG MGA index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGA BBS is active now.