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MG TD TF 1500 - Beginning TD restoration

My TD has set in a heated garage for many years--never started or moved. I want to begin the restoration process. The rear wheels will not turn even when jacked up and the gearbox in neutral. Any ideas about what the problem is and how to remedy it?
RT Nicholson

Brake shoes are stuck to the drum. Release the adjusters and rock it back and forth in 4th gear. They'll break. If the shoes prevent you from removing the drums even after coming free.... raw muscle, pipe wrench, heat...

Barn find 101. Get the brake drums off FIRST.

.....
MAndrus

You probably won't be able to get at the adjusters since the hole in the drum needs to be lined up with the adjuster. It is very unlikely that this is the case. I have been unsuccessful in removing brake drums that are solidly stuck to the linings. In frustration I resorted to brute force and used a big puller to pull the drum off with the brake shoes attached. The shoes were ruined.
Hugh Pite
H.D. Pite

Presumably it was parked with the hand brake fully applied. The pistons have meanwhile seized in the cylinders and won't move, leaving the brake shoes locked in position. Make sure the hand brake is fully released, disconnect the brake lines and see if you can get some movement in the levers attached to the cylinders. You may not. The cylinders are probably scrap so spray plenty of penetrating oil in there and see if it can all be loosened. You still may not. After that pull off the drum or using a shaped block of wood and a rubber mallet, knock it off. Take care as you don't want to break off the ridge on the outside of the cast drum.
Dave H
Dave Hill

That's how I started my restoration too! Try just pulling the car with another vehicle...
Geoffrey M Baker

try penetrating oil also, spray in adjuster hole and between the backplate and drum. If you can't break free at all, remove the nuts on the shoe stop (the gadget between the shoe ends), it will then come out and off with the shoes/drum when pulled. George
George Butz

I have a wheel puller (shown below) that I've used to pull frozen wheels from two TDs. It's heavy, but I'd be willing to loan it to you if you'd like. It pulls on the studs. Bud

Bud Krueger

This thread was discussed on 21/09/2015

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