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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Rear Wheel Cylinder - HELP!

How do you get the rear wheel cylinder out? It's nearly there, but half-shaft and hub flanges are in the way. What am I missing?
Nick and Cherry Scoop

I've had the later (2-piston) rear slaves for several years, but I don't recall the early ones being that difficult to remove. I find with my later ones that I have to rotate the half shaft and hub until there is just enough clearance for the cylinder to come out.
Les Rose

Nick, I have the same predicament as I've just found one of mine is leaking and I need to get hold of a cylinder tomorrow as I'm competing in the car at the weekend.

If I remember correctly, I released the half-shaft and eased it out a bit. You might need to rotate the hub to find the right spot for getting the cylinder out and when fitting the new one. If you tilt the car the axle oil loss should be minimal.

Colin
C Mee

Thanks both. In the end, I released the backplate and, once it could flop around a bit, the cylinder came out. These new cylinders are really lumpy and poorly finished, with a sand grain texture all over, and proud seams. No wonder it wouldn't come out too easily. Once I had the new one in, it didn't slide as you'd hope it would, so I've had it out again, and been trying to finish it decently. Fingers crossed.

Hope you get one in time, Colin.
Nick and Cherry Scoop

It's been said that I'm a bit dim before, I should have thought of loosening the back plate, it is such an obvious way of doing it - and with no risk of losing axle oil.

Thanks to the wonders of the Spridget owning community, I have already acquired a brand new OEM brake cylinder courtesy of a Midget owning friend just a couple of miles away so I should be able to sort it in the morning and let him have my new one when it arrives. As recompense he's asked for some help with bleeding his system when he replaces his rear brake cylinders.

Colin
C Mee

Phew, job done. The replacement that I ordered arrived minutes after I finally got the clip in place on the one borrowed from a friend.

I have always struggled with that clip and obviously hadn't got it on properly previously as the old clip was missing and the cylinder was not just loose, it had moved far enough out of place to be fouling the hub.

What surprised me was that this time the old cylinder came out and the new one slipped in as easy as anything without fouling the hub, there was no need to release the back plate.

I have always struggled with that clip, does anyone have a good method for installing it? Is it worth lashing out £15 for the special tool? Can that be used with the back plate in situ or does the plate have to be on the bench?

I ordered an extra clip plus one of MGOC Spares 'easy fit' ones - they sent two of the original type! Would a normal circlip do the job just as well - or better - than the official clip?

Colin
C Mee

After years of struggle l splashed out on one of those little circlip fitting tools. Simples.. l know you won't use it every day but when you need it...
Put it in the "special tools" drawer
Dave
David Cox

I put a wedge - actually a wooden door stop wedge, between the cylinder and hub. That holds it firmly in position freeing up 2 hands to use with 2 flat bladed screwdrivers that just lever the edge of the clip into position. Takes seconds. For some reason I have never found it difficult. I think its one of those things that needs a 'knack' and I was just fortunate to hit on it early on. But I do sympathise with those who struggle. I do have my own pet deamons!
GuyW

I buy my brake cylinders from C & C Parts. https://ccparts.nl. They are the largest brake cylinder manufacturer I know. Their quality is fantastic and they are cheap because you buy directly from them. Unfortunately for the UK, there are some border issues.
That thing with the clip is a recurring problem. I tap a thread in the place of the roller pin and screw a bolt into it.

Flip Br�hl

Guy, I hit on the wooden wedge idea, it definitely helped. I'll have to give the two-screwdriver technique a try next time-either that or go for Flip's idea which looks far more sensible than the clip arrangement.

Thanks for the suggestions.

Colin
C Mee

The E clip issue is an old chestnut !
Basically the work of Satan !
Made to fly around garages and make a simple job difficult!

The special tool is a true chocolate teapot in my experience - the clip is hardened and just digs in to the taper of the tool !
I’ve one somewhere and as previously posted will willing give it away !

Someone was marketing the original washer and special circlip making installation simple as it was originally !

richard b

I think if was AH Spares
Circlip and Belville washer ISTR.
richard b

I found a better photo

Flip Brühl

The original design was for the Belville washer and circlip. And a paper gasket I believe.
On one of my cars I did as Flip, drilling and tapping for a small hex headed screw. I remember at the time there were those who said fixing too securely prevented the shoes from a slight wobble and accurately self- aligning though I never had any problem. I think it was on my 1500, so a long time ago now.

The other 'upgrade' is to use mini rear brake shoes which have a wider lining width but still work with the standard drums. I'm not sure it makes much difference with most braking being done by the front. My 1275 would very easily lock all 4 wheels at 40mph if I pressed too hard on the pedal. No servo. Though that was with standard road tyres, not grippy race ones!
GuyW

Did the original single piston slave cylinders have a clip? They definitely have to slide so can't be held too firmly.
Bill B

No, these are the later version,not the frogeye one. AFAIK the frogeye just slides with the slots in the cylinder casting. Is there a clip? I dont remember fitting one.
GuyW

Wedge method too, hence never had a particular problem with the clip, or getting the cylinder out.

Certainly never had to withdraw a halfshaft or loosen the back plate to do it.

But if new cylinders are not made to the correct external size anymore, perhaps that's the issue.

The last ones I bought were QH, a couple of yearz ago, and they were still ok.

Borg and Beck and QH both still sell them, still oem.




anamnesis

I have later 1275 back plates on the Frog with twin piston slaves, Pagid I think. Currently one has that (imv) *stoopid* clip whilst for the other I tapped the roll pin hole, like many others, as I'd had trouble with the clip.
Bill B

This thread was discussed between 20/08/2026 and 22/08/2026

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