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MG TD TF 1500 - Hot Wheel

I took my mgtf out for a short drive today as I havent had it on the road often the past few weeks. Good day for a drive, mid eighties bright sun. Upon returning home while checking tire pressures noticed left rear Hub cap ( Drivers side ) hot to the touch. The disc wheel also extremely hot as well as rear axel nut. The remaining corners cool to the touch. Clearly something is amiss...this wheel was big time hot! Could it be dragging brake shoes ( have yet to check slack adjuster perhaps something frozen? or is a bearing going south on me....no expensive noises from that corner while on the road. I had noticed previously some signs of what appeared to be axel grease in spin pattern on wheel and thought possibly rear seals leaking but the wheel did not show the excessive heat. Any and all thoughts on the situation from my esteemed NABOBS out there would be much appreciated.
Jeff Payne

First and easiest is to jack up that corner and spin the wheel,,, Is the a lot of resistance ???

SPW
Steve Wincze

The last time i adjusted my brakes, my driver's rear was 'smoking'...took a mile or two to wear away I guess, as it just went away.
gblawson(gordon)

Jeff,
If you do what Steve suggested have someone step on the brakes to see if the hot wheel locks up and stays locked when the brake pedal is released. If it is you could have a frozen wheel cylinder piston. Then jack up the other rear corner and try the same thing. If both rear wheels stay locked after the brake pedal is released take the rubber brake line off and inspect it. I had the same problem recently and when I checked the rubber line I could not force a 1/16" stiff wire through it as it had collapsed very badly. The master cylinder could still force brake fluid through but the return springs didn't have the power to push the fluid back so the brakes stay locked and overheated. I put a new rubber line in and the problem was solved.
Good luck,
George
George Metz

I would also bet on a frozen wheel cylinder. These need to be dismantled every two or three years as gunk gets between the piston and cylinder. If left too late it can become a larger job entailing complete dismantling and bleeding the system. If done at regular intervals you will only need to remove the brake linings and the piston. Lots less work.

Cheers,

paul.
Paul van Gool

This thread was discussed between 13/08/2008 and 14/08/2008

MG TD TF 1500 index

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