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MG TD TF 1500 - Soft Brakes

The brake pedal travel was getting lower and the brakes felt soft. The last time this happened I just adjusted the brakes and they were fine. I tried to adjust them again and both rear brakes did not lock up the rear wheels even with the adjustment at the most clockwise position. I have not tried the front brakes yet. My assumption is that the brake linings are so worn they won't make contact. It would seem the only solution is a new set of brake shoes. Am I on the right track?
Mort
Mort Resnicoff

Did you pump your brakes? If you did/do and they come up, you could have air in the line. Check for leaking wheel or master cylinder.

then bleed brakes

Jim B.
JA Benjamin

I understand what you're saying Jim. If I turn the adjustment all the way clockwise shouldn't it lock the wheel?
Mort
Mort Resnicoff

Its possible that the brake shoe abutment is worn (that is the part on the opposite end of the rear brake shoes to the cylinder). If so, replace or fabricate an infill piece.
Dave H
Dave Hill

You can J-B weld a shim at the top of each wheel cylinder, to take up wear in the system. Some use a clipped penny.

Pull the drums off and see the condition, I'm afraid.

Tom Lange
MGT Repair
t lange

If you have adjusted until the cam stops and the wheel still turns you probably have fluid on the shoes.
If the shoes do not touch, the adjuster just turns and turns with a click as it fall off the cam.
Ray TF 2884
Ray Lee

I added shims to the brake masks on my TF to extend the travel of the shoes as Tom described. I cut them from 1/8" bar stock (see dimensions below) and welded them to the masks instead of JB Weld.

John Twists describes the process in this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2-0Vqje1LM

Here is the text of a message that he sent to me:

"We purchased shimstock from NAPA, BK 6651913 which is 1/8” thick. We cut rectangles: 1/2 x 1 1/8. Weld the ends (the 1/2”) as welding the sides interferes with the fitting. We used our MIG welder. Then sand to fit if they’re too thick (they won’t be)."

Lonnie
TF7211

Top: Masks and shim cut from NAPA body shim
Bottom: Shim cut from bar stock and welded to mask






LM Cook

I had that issue with a new set of shoes from Moss with brand new drums.

I discovered the linings were very thin so I had a set of shoes relined and arced to my drum size (9.00”).

It was not cheap, but I was able to remove the pennies, now the drums lock on 3rd click.

Peter
P G Gilvarry

Shoe issues seem to be an industry wide problems. I replaced my 280Z rear shoes (really hard with the springs/hardware), and the drums would not fit because the new linings were too thick. Fronts do most of the stopping, so check those really well too. George
George Butz III

This thread was discussed between 12/04/2021 and 14/04/2021

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