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MG MGA - Braking Techniques

John Cole raised a comment on my lack of a brake servo in the car. Rather than go off topic (again) in his distributor cap thread I have opened up this one.

Perhaps surprisingly, I have never found the stopping power of the MGA a problem neither with drum brakes nor the front discs that I now use. Perhaps it's all down to driving style, how close one follows another car and how one anticipates general deceleration requirements on the road.

If anything, I am too light and smooth on the brakes. I regularly develop a squeal when braking, caused I think by glazing the surfaces due to my light touch. I frequently stamp on the brake pedal with my left foot while accelerating or at speed (when no one behind) to 'roughen'/heat the pads up to get rid of the squeal.

And yes, I have done all the anti-squeal lubrication, chamfering rear linings etc. This problem is I think of my own driving style making. If I make a conscientious effort to brake hard all the time I do not have any squeal problems.

Thoughts?

Steve
Steve Gyles

Steve, I had a servo fitted to my car, but when I fitted a heater it had to go because it was fitted to the heater shelf. I couldn't be bothered to move it to another, more difficult to get at location at the time, so I reverted the braking back to standard. Will I re-fit the servo? No! With the servo, I had to be extremely careful how I braked, the difference between comming to a steady stop and standing the car on its nose was that fine. The brakes have much more feel without the servo, admittedly I have to use a bit more force on the pedal but I'd rather have that feeling of "what you put in, you get out".
Lindsay Sampford

I have no servo but I do have discs fitted to the front and I must say thatI have no problems what so ever stopping (touch wood)although I have fitted green stuff pads wich I think give a bit more bite, Vin
Vin Rafter

Steve, I have "Green Stuff" pads on my discs like Vin and no servo fitted. They work really well and have lots of "bite" when needed but are also excellent in traffic when used lightly.
They dont squeal when used but occasionally they "sing" a bit, usually on a straight section ( a kind of high pitched hum ) which disappears if I dab the brake pedal.
I have checked that the wheels spin freely so there is no binding going on so I think this is a characteristic of "Green Stuff" pads rather than a fault. They seem to give off a lot of dust so I am pleased that I dont have wire wheels to keep clean.
Probably worth you using the brakes a bit harder to see if this helps Steve.

Vin, are you going on the MGCC S Yorks Drive-it Day this sunday?
Colyn
Colyn Firth

Colyn, I don't know anything about it, do you have more info, Vin
Vin Rafter

Vin
its a fairly low key run organised by the S Yorks branch of the MGCC from Wentworth Garden centre near Rotherham (S62 7TF) to the Goole Docks museum (DN14 5TB). So its not a big run but it sounds interesting.
Details are on the MGCC Yorkshire website but I can send you the info if you wish.
It will be my first real run out this year and my first with the S Yorks MGCC.
(Sorry Steve to hijack your thread)
Colyn
Colyn Firth

Steve -
Long ago I went from an XK120 with a homemade master cylinder that made the brakes even worse than they started out, so I didn't use them except for actual final stops. To a '68 Rover 2000TC with spectacular braking for the day, so of course I used them even less. Result was a lot of squealing, even at low speed when not using them! So I had to revise my methods, and at least once a week really haul it down a time or two, which fixed it. In those days there were no known reliable fixes for screeching brakes; standing on a busy street corner was an experience!

FRM
Fletcher R Millmore

Steve, a blast around the Lakes will sort out any squealing brakes. Honister, Newlands and Winlatter passes are on my doorstep, with Hardknott and Wrynose a little further (and for the brave!)

Pop in for a coffee and a chat, while your discs cool off!

Neil
Neil McGurk

Neil

I will take you up on that before I move south. I will email you with suggested dates once I know what I am doing. All a bit hectic at the moment. My car can now self navigate the length of the M6. Fed up with the journey. It's almost every weekend until mid June.

Steve
Steve Gyles

Colyn, yes please send me The info, you can get me at vinrafter@msn.com steve I also appologise for the hijak, Vin
Vin Rafter

Excellent Steve, weekdays are probably better than weekends, there will be less traffic. On the western fells there's very little traffic anyway. Also, welcome to anyone else!

Neil
Neil McGurk

This thread was discussed between 22/04/2010 and 23/04/2010

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