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MG MGA - Squeak diagnosis

Need some help on what might be causing a squeak- squeak-squeak from the left rear wheel of my 1500 Rdstr. It's not noticed at normal road speeds (exhaust noise drowns it out I presume). It is however, most noticed at 5-15 MPH. The squeak-squeak-squeak definitely increases in repetitive fequency as the car speed increases.

If I press the brake pedal slightly for a moment as the car is moving at slow speed 5-10 MPH, the squeak stops, but starts up again as soon I let off the brake.

Thoughts .....diagnosis?

Fran
F Valenzano

Frank... You may have solved your own problem. It seems to be the brake shoe just touching the drum. Try turning the adjuster one click looser and see what happens. Possibly your hand brake is slightly hanging up.
Sandy
SANDY SANDERS

If it is a 1600 with disc brakes, then suspect a little dirt behind the brake pads allows the pads to squeak. Clean back of pads and front of pistons. Then apply a dab of high temperature RTV to back of pads where they contact the piston. See here:
http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/brakes/bt109.htm
Barney Gaylord

Hi Fran, I had exactly the same thing last year. Had to take off the brake drum 3 times before I cured it. Not exactly what caused it but I wire brushed the shoes, backplates and drums, put more copper ease on the splines (wire wheels), and also put copper ease behind contact points of the shoes as well as realigning the shoes in their seatings - eventually it stopped.
Cam Cunningham

Fran, maybe tire wobble is the cause.
Try the spare one.

Wim.
Wim Betzel

Oops, I goofed, overlooked Fran's note the it was rear brakes. While you are driving sans brakes, the only thing that should be moving is the brake drum and wheel, and nothing inside should be touching the drum. Squeaks when rotating implies something is touching the drum. Generally the only thing close to the drum is the brake shoes.

Question: So you have the shoe return springs attached behind the shoes as intended? If the springs are in front they can pull the shoes outward to make the edges of the shoes contact the inside face of the drum.

Next suspect would be the brake backing plate touching the rotating drum, which is should not do. Look for some shiny spot on the metal parts where they might touch.
Barney Gaylord

I used the "Rubber" bushings on the rear springs instead of the "Poly". That was a mistake. They are now worn out after a few years and squeak like a mouse.
WMR Bill

This thread was discussed between 31/10/2010 and 02/11/2010

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