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Triumph TR6 - Rear Brake Advice Please

Hi Guys

I am trying to get my rear brakes back together at the moment, and I have a few questions I hope someone will help me with.

Firstly, the smallest of the clips that hold on the wheel cylinder - how does this fit? The manual shows it its from the direction of the handbrake lever, which doesn't give clearance. Nelson Riedel's article on brakes shows it entered from the rear. Which is right? Either way, how do I get it in place? The two "prongs" just hit the body of the cylinder and it won't move.

Then there are the shoe springs. Is there a way to get them onto the shoes with the hub in place? I really don't want to have to take the hub out at this stage. Do I need some of those brake spring pliers I saw at Sears the other day? I understand that the springs go behind the shoes, is that right? When I took apart the brakes I found that the previous owner apparently had the same problems I am having, because he put the springs in front of the shoes and there was no locking clip in the wheel sylinder (there was actually only 1 of the three clips on each side)

I would be most grateful if someone could help me out. I guess if I keep wrestling with it I will get there in the end, but there must be an easy way, surely?

Cheers
Alistair
Alistair

It has been a while since I did my rear cylinders and can remember the retaining clips being a pain in the neck. Looking in the TRF Vol.1 Plate DP the rear wheel shown is the left rear and the smallest clip is shown as fitting from the handbrake lever side as you describe. I think you should try to put that one in first and then sandwich the other two behind the smaller one. I think there were small tabs on one of the larger tabs as well. It is rather fiddley but you will manage with the help of a screwdriver to drift the clips in place.

Yes, you can mount the shoes with the hub in place. I started with the upper spring first. WATCH your fingers as they can get pinched. Fit the shoe that attaches to the handbrake lever first and align the shoe to the piston of cylinder, then fit the spring from behind that shoe. Then position the other shoe to engage the spring, again from behind. Then carefully pull the shoe to stretch the upper spring to properly position the shoe stop at the other side of the brake cylinder. Did I say WATCH your fingers! I think the upper spring has a straight section that is not exactly in the middle. You may have to flip it around if the spring fouls on the cylinder once stretched and the shoes are in place. Practice makes perfect!

Make sure the brake adjusters are fully loose and unscrewed. But make sure the angular slots are aligned with the housing and pushed in all the way.

The lower spring is the same procedure. Attach spring to the shoe attached to handbrake side and fiddle the spring to attach to the second shoe. The pull the second shoe and stretch the spring to seat them properly. AGAIN watch your fingers.

Good Luck! Cheers! MRankin CC61212L '71 TR6
MRankin

Thanks for the reply. I will have another go at the weekend and hopefully have more luck with your advice!
Alistair

Alistair,
when I first got my TR6 there were no clips holding the wheel cylinders to the backing plate, after I did the rebuild I tried to install the new clips I bought but could get them to fit. After lokking at the clearances inside the drum I decided to leave the clips off. The parking brake mechcanism and the brake line hold it in place and the drum is right next to it,
there is no where for it to move to. Six years of hard driving and I have never had any problems with it.
The return spring can be installed with the help of a pair of vice grips and a strong pair of hands and maybe some some bloody knuckles. I'm not saying you
should leave the wheel cylinder clips off, I'm just saying I haven't found that they are needed.
Chris
Christopher Trace

Just an update to say that I went to the garage at lunchtime (the joy of working at home!) and using MRankin's suggestions, I got the first side back together again. After wasting a couple of evenings on it, I got it done in well under an hour, so I am really grateful to MRankin!
Alistair

I just removed the hubs& brake backing plate to helicoil the trailing arm studs and noticed that the brake springs are on the outside of the shoes. It seems like installing the springs would be easier on the outside and probably doesn't make any difference. I agree with Chris on the wheel cyl clips. After along struggle, I came to the conclusion that the wheel cyl is going to stay in place without the clips properly installed.
Berry Price
BTP Price

Berry

The cylinder retaining clips go on really easily if you follow the suggestions above - small (outer) one first, then large male (both from the handbrake lever side) then put the handbrake lever in place, arrange the rubber boot and the female plate slips between the other two with a few gentle taps.

The springs were on the front of my shoes when I took them apart and it seems like that at best puts a lot of pressure on the retaining clips, and at worst would have the edges of the shoes in contact with the flat face of the drum. With the springs on the back, the shoes are in contact with the backing plate, which isn't turning with the wheel so should be better than having them touch the drum. Getting the springs onto the back was pretty simple once I was confident that it was possible, but if you have the hub off already it should be a lot easier.

Alistair

Alistair

Alistair--doesn't it feel good getting it done in under an hour. Did you lose a little skin on a knuckle? You learned quickly though I bet not to put your finger there next time. I bet you will be 10min per side and that is lifting a pint every now and then on the next go around. Glad my suggestions helped. I read this message board much as well as 6-pack & TR-Register and it feels good when I can finally contribute instead of being just a reader/learner.

And thank you for all your help with CDII. I have not downloaded it yet, but will eventually.

Cheers! MRankin '71 TR6 CC61212L
MRankin

This thread was discussed between 23/03/2006 and 25/03/2006

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