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MG MGB Technical - MGB Brakes

Sorry, another thread from me !!!
How good should MGB brakes be ?
Are they OK as standard ?
Never driven a MGB as mines in bits, but brakes are next on my list for overhall.

Thanks again,

Paul

Paul Elwell

What year? With or without the power boost? there are differences. Pads and shoes make a difference, too, soft material...tight braking, fast wear, hard material--opposite. In general, the brake pedal should be firm and responsive. I just did a complete replacement on my MGA, the only original piece left is the pedal and it's bracket. Brakes are the most important system on your car. One failure and all your hard work is swinging on the back of the tow truck's hook. Don't cut corners, and if in doubt...replace. Brake fluid is hydroscopic, a lot of water gets into the system, deteriorating from the inside, where it's hard to see...especially in the hoses , lines and internal passages. Take your time and do a thorough job, bleed well and you will have good brakes.
R. L Carleen

Everything RL says is correct. As to your question the standard brakes on the MGB are up to most any task.
Leland Bradley

Paul-
The brakes on the MGB were outstanding in their day and still adequate by normal standards pertaining today. If you intend to do a lot of hard driving, they can be upgraded quite readily. The question is, what do you define as "good enough"? If you intend to use it like an alternative to a Honda Civic for daily driver duty, then the brakes are fine as standard. If you want to fly down winding mountain roads or around a race track, you'd be wise to upgrade the system.
Steve S.

Paul the standard non power assisted brakes work great providing they are maintained in good condition. First of all make certain that the calipers and rear slave cylinders are as new, bores should be free from pitting and replace the seals. Bleed the wystem with new brake fluid.

I've tried various discs (rotors) and brake pads. My favorite combination which I use are Brembo Rotors (discs) and Ferodo pads. In my opinion they are far superior to AP rotors and pads or even oversized Mintex V8 pads that I have also tried.

Brakes should be able to lock the wheels without too much effort.

Andy
Andy Preston

I second the Ferodo pad comment. I've found over the years that the pattern of holes in the back of the pad seems to prevent the god-awful squealing noise developing that I've experienced with other products that I've tried.
Tim Cuthill

I drive winding mountain roads frequently in my '67 GT , the stock brakes are fine , very good feedback and road feel , easy to lock up or modulate as needed including in heavy rain on steep narrow roads .

Just keep the hydraulics tip top and use Ferodo pads and you'll love them .

No power assist needed .

-Nate
Nate

Where can one order Ferodo pads for MGB in USA ? Thanks for info.--Gil
Gil Price

I've used Ferodo pads for many years on my midget and no complaints about performance but I've changed to Greenstuff on Midget with B brakes and BV8 with Wilwood, no squealing hardly any dust work well from cold no contest.

Paul
Paul

Do yourself a huge favour and get the braided stainless flex lines. The difference in pedal feel is night and day compared to the original rubber lines. Get one for your clutch while you are at it.

Pete
Pete

You should be able to lock the fronts with or without servo assistance, the servo has surprisingly little effect. Other than that stopping distance is down to tyres and road surface.
Paul Hunt

Paul

If you are going to redo your brakes I can recommend an excellent supplier J.E.M. Consultants in Hinckley, Leicestershire,UK. Tel: 01455-230626. Nothing to gain for me just experienced excellent service and just down the road from me. He tends to have all brake parts in stock. Also worth a visit as the store is in the basement of an old factory - amazing. Richard
Richard Evans

Andy...Where do purchase these rotors/pads?

PS. Where in CA are you as I'm in Orange County.

Are drilled or slotted rotors worth the extra money?

Morgan
Morgan

I'm currently running a set of Tarox slotted disc brake rotors that I got from the MGOC in the UK. However, The MGOC seems to have discontinued them and replaced them in their catalogue with Red Dot rotors. Has anybody out there tried them? How do they compare?
Steve S.

Morgan--you can get Brembro rotors from Britek and other places --But I would also like to know where to to buy the Ferodo pads here in USA--have searched web without luck.
Gil Price

This thread was discussed between 10/12/2002 and 13/12/2002

MG MGB Technical index

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