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Re: [MGC Brakes]

To: mgs@autox.team.net
Subject: Re: [MGC Brakes]
From: Florrie & Allen Bachelder <bachldrs@swva.net>
Date: Fri, 16 Jul 1999 21:18:11 -0400
Hi List -

' Sorry this is rather long, but I need some advice.  Back in May I started
having problems with a soft low brake pedal on my '76 B.  It's never been
firm like my non-servo Bs but it got quite a bit worse.  A Roanoke Brit Car
Resto guy noted the engine idle was affected by the brake pedal and
suggested it was probably a vacuum leak in the servo.  So I sent a servo
from my '76 parts car off to Apple Hydraulics and got it rebuilt.

While at it, I put in brand new  master cylinders (clutch and brake) from
Moss and on advice of the same guy in Roanoke, flushed out the whole system
and converted to DOT 5. I did bench-bleed the MC first.  Still got a soft
pedal and within three days my left front caliper was leaking (I've never
had a caliper leak in all my 15 years experience with MGBs).

' Was about to rebuild calipers (as I've done on other Bs) and discovered
Advance Auto has rebuilt calipers with OE pistons for $35.99 - with
lifetime warranty.  So I flushed out the system - thoroughly - converting
back to Castrol GT/LMA DOT4 before installing rebuilt calipers.  Again, I
bled the whole system thoroughly - starting with left rear, then right
rear, right front and finally left front. There's no DOT 5 left in the
system.

Still soft pedal.  Pads are good.  The brake hoses were replaced about two
years ago, as was the left rear wheel cylinder which I discovered leaking
at that time.  Shoes looked good then.  Car has gone about 15,000 miles
since.

The right rear wheel cylinder is the only item in the system that I haven't
replaced.  It is working and although I haven't had the drum off, there is
no outside sign of leaking.  I am aware that lots of DIYers put rear brake
shoes on wrong and mine are right - like in the Bentley illustrations.  The
rears are set as high as I can get 'em without overheating the hubs - in
fact I had to back my left rear off a bit.  Even when it was set too high,
soft pedal.

If I pump the brakes once, on the second application, they feel good.  I
know this is a classic symptom of rears in need of setting up, but that's
not the problem.  At its worst, the pedal may feel awful but the brakes do
work well - although the right rear tends to lock up first on hard stops.

I even turned the brake light switch in about 1/2-turn - which minimizes
the 1/8th-inch pedal freeplay and, not surprisingly, makes no difference.
The pedal does not "leak down" nor am I losing any brake fluid.  In fact, I
swear the level in the reservoir went UP slightly after a 40-mile test
drive.  Could there still be an air bubble in the system...?  I suppose
although it seems unlikely.  What could I be overlooking?  Should I replace
rear brake shoes?

Many thanks!

Allen


******************************************
         Allen H. Bachelder  =iii=<
         Sinking Creek Home for Wayward MGs
         New Castle, VA 24127
         USA
         540/544-7333
******************************************



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