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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Handbrake Compensator

Does anybody know how this works? I can't fathom it, because the pivot would need to be floating. Wouldn't it?

Anyway, one side is working - cylinder lever visibly moving, absolutely taut rod, wheel solid. The other is sort of twitching, rod still bendable, with no appreciable braking.

Nick and Cherry Scoop

A pull on the handbrake lever should rotate the compensator anti clockwise (as in image) with equalising pressure, pulling on both brake cylinder levels, in general, equally.

If this doesn't happen, then check both brake cylinders and their levers for correct actuation.

Adjust handbrake cable tension to remove any slack.

Tim C

Sounds like the thread on the bracket mounted to the axle may be seized preventing the T from rocking side to side to equalise the tie rod loads. The thread is visible in the image Tim posted.
David Billington

Nick
I think the compensator is semi "floating" (as you suggest) such that if one rear brake goes fully on, there is still enough play in the compensator to pull the opposite brake's rod tight. The compensator needs to be clean with free movement. Bit of grease on it. Brake shoes should be adjusted BEFORE cable adjustor.
Bill B

So, the T rocks! That explains it.
Sadly, mine seems to rock. I will have to wait until my beautiful assistant becomes available, before I can watch it perform, but it probably needs a new cylinder as Tim suggests. I have a couple in stock, and I don't mind doing the swap, but never look forward to the bleeding.

Thank you all.
Nick and Cherry Scoop

The square bit screws on, but not too far as it needs to be free to point straight up. And the arms of the Christmas tree piece need to be at or close to 90degrees to the line of the rods to maximise leverage. Wear in the cylinder leer arms, clevis pins and the brackets on the road ends will all affect this angle. I believe some cars had threaded rods, making them adjustable to compensate.
GuyW

The thread on which the compensator sits lacks lubrication so I add a Grease nipple to the threaded ‘cube’.
Prior to the grease nipple mod’ on one of my cars the thread had ‘hollowed’ over the years so I welded in a new thread which I found to be Whitworth.

Alan Anstead

The compensator should rotate in two planes at 90 degrees to each other. I have done as Alan and fitted a grease nipple to the " cube"...
David Cox

I have also modified the ends of the rods.

Alan Anstead

Which goes to show, what an inventive lot long time Spridget owners are. 👍

Needs must, can do attitude.

anamnesis

I should mention what gave rise to this query. I'd rolled the car out for a bonnetless test drive, and I pulled the handbrake up. There was a modest bang and a jolt in the lever, like something being released. I couldn't tell where it came from, because I only hear in mono. But I'm pretty sure it didn't come from the front: the lever still pulls the cable, and the ratchet works.

When herself gets home from her social engagements, I will try to engage her for a longer test. I could loop a rope over a beam, and pull the handbrake lever up remotely while investigating underneath, but having an assistant is better. I might let her sit on the Axminster and watch the garage television.
Nick and Cherry Scoop

Nick
If you have had your car parked for any time with the handbrake on the shoes can stick to the drum and let out a bang as they disengage.
Alan Anstead

Just to finish off, I took the whole caboodle to pieces, cleaned everything up, and put it all back together.
To be able to attach the cable to the compensator, I had to slack off the adjusting nut quite a lot, expecting it to need tightening again.
But it didn't. It's a miracle.

PS: I did fit a new rear cylinder, where the existing one was more or less seized.
Nick and Cherry Scoop

This thread was discussed between 17/08/2026 and 24/08/2026

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