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MG TD TF 1500 - TD first time Brake inspection question

Hello everyone and Happy Xmas,
Today I decided to do a brake inspection on my 50 TD for first time since purchase last summer so I know better what I purchased. Brakes seem to work well, no pulling, fluid checks ok, pedal depresses normal distance to floor, so on I go. Searched archives but still have a specific question hope someone can answer.
I removed front right tire and it appears you need a puller to remove drum to inspect shoes. Is there a simpler way to inspect the shoes?
Also I notice that when spinning the hub it turns only about 1/2 way then stops (in either direction). I would think the hub should turn freely! Is it possible the wheel bearings are bad?? (I hope not!). Left front tire seems to do the same thing.
Thanks all,
Ed
efh Ed

You need a large puller...with slightly angled claws... with the right one it should pull off easily.
There should be drag on the drums when spinning... the small access hole in the drum allows you to adjust the shoes. Spin the drum until you see the adjusting 'screw'... tighten clockwise till you can't turn the drum, then back off one click... Spin the drum again until you see the 2nd adjusting screw and do the same. The rear drums have one adjusting screw.
gblawson (gordon)- TD#27667

If the brake drum will only turn half a circle, this could be because the drum itself is a little warped or off-centre. You can prove/disprove this by backing the brake shoes off several 'clicks' and seeing if the drum will spin freely. Can you see the brake shoe adjuster screws through the inspection hole in the side of the drum?

Merry Christmas,
Matthew.
Matthew Magilton

Ed

A turn or two is about what I get with my TD with the brakes adjusted just below full grabbing. You can back off the adjuster another click and it will probably turn freely.

A puller may be needed, but a couple raps with a rubber hammer typically are all my drums need to come off.
Bruce-C

And remember to back off the adjusters before trying to pull the drum.

FWIW,
Allen
Allen Bachelder

I went to war with my front drums trying to get them off. I finaly bought a 10" gear puller at my lcal farm and country store, $20 , It popped the drums off in seconds. Piece of cake.


Cheers , Keith




K. McKenzie

Whacking them didn't do anything for me... couldn't hit just the edge (i'm old and a bad shot i guess)...!!!
gblawson (gordon)- TD#27667

I use a puller but leave the wheel lightly bolted on and put the claws onto the holes in the wheel. This spreads the pulling load.
And as others have said don't forget to back off the adjusters before you pull the drum, because if you don't with the amount of pull you can apply, it will rip the shoes out and possibly damage the slave cylinders.

Mike.
Mike Christie

Here's the wheel puller that I use.


Bud Krueger

Bud, your puller looks so elegant. The one I borrowed from Bob Figenskau looked like this:

warmly,
dave


Dave Braun

Dave's is the type I used... the claws have to be sharp and angled... I borrowed one, then bought a set but they won't grab the edge of the drum!
gblawson (gordon)- TD#27667

Hi all. Re: using a puller. When you have thightend the center bolt give it a knock
on the head( the bolts head) and the drum
will loosen

regards Thoralf Norway
t g sorensen

Dave,
At a quick glance, it looks like your spray can of Brake Cleaner? is discharging !!!!!

SPW
Steve Wincze

Hi Dave, - mine pulls on the lugs rather than on the edge of the drum.
Bud Krueger

I have the same puller Bud has. It works very well, wasn't too expensive, is really solid, and if you keep the car will use it over and over throughout the years. The biggest problem (at least here in humid Florida) I have seen with the brakes are frozen/stuck wheel cylinders. Unlike modern ones, there is no rubber moisture boot or seal. Moisture gets in between the steel piston and cylinder body and corrodes, with the piston sticking. This requires more and more pedal pressure, etc. After the drum is off, you can remove the shoes, and the pistons should move very freely. The one aimed downward may fall out. Perhaps your drums are slightly out of round. If there was no pedal pulsation or problem braking, I wouldn't worry about it, especially as drums are basically unobtainable. George
George Butz

LOL Steve!

Yes very quick glance. That's a spray can of 'Gunk' and the 'discharge' is the flash reflection off the cone of the plastic funnel. Thanks for the chuckle.

warmly,
dave
Dave Braun

Yep, I see that Bud, plus yours breaks down nicely. I may look for one like yours.

take care,
dave
Dave Braun

I think I'm convinced! If it ain't broke, don't fix it! I have a feeling if I get that drum off I'll never get it on again. Maybe I'll look at again next summer - porch thermometer reads -15F as I write this (yes, minus 15 degrees). Garage is heated - sort of.
Thanks all for the good advice once again!!
Ed
efh Ed

This thread was discussed between 25/12/2007 and 28/12/2007

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