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Re: MGA Brake Problem Update

To: mgs@autox.team.net, british-cars@autox.team.net, KeithB227@aol.com
Subject: Re: MGA Brake Problem Update
From: "SCHLINING.M.W-" <SCHLINING.M.W-_at_BALT.PO.017@smtpgty.bwi.wec.com>
Date: Tue, 27 Feb 96 12:39:03 EST
     Keith

The problem might not be hydraulic but mechanical adjustments.  Before you spend
the money to have work done on the MC try looking at two mechanical adjustments.

1.  Most obvious would be are the rear brake shoes adjusted properly.  Minimize 
the travel by adjusting the shoes to lock the wheels and then back off just 
enough for wheel rotation with light rubbing.

2.  Look at the brake pushrod on the master cylinder to see if it might be 
adjusted too short, thereby pulling the MC piston back too far.  There is a 
bleed hole in the MC that allows fluid back into the reservoir.  If the pushrod 
is adjusted short you could be pumping a lot of fluid to the reservoir before 
you start with getting fluid to the brakes.

This is really cheap to try.  Good luck.


Marty Schlining
57 MGA Coupe
75 MGB

______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: MGA Brake Problem Update
Author:  KeithB227@aol.com at BALT.SMTP
Date:    2/27/96 8:58 AM


For those of you following the brake problem (excess pedal travel) on my '57 
MGA with MGB front discs, here is an update.
     
Over the weekend:
     
Replaced front wheel bearings
Replaced rotors
Replaced pads
Replaced caliper seals
Replaced brake hoses
Replaced MC cover with larger volume late MGA type cover 
Bled through 2 bottles brake fluid
Pressurized (2x4 wedged on pedal method) for 2 hours, checked for leaks, 
found none
     
The result?  No change.  Pedal still travels about half way before becoming 
firm.
     
Previously I replaced rubber/seals in the master cylinder, clutch slave 
cylinder, and rear drum brake cylinders.  At this point I think it must come 
down to the master cylinder.  So, I pulled the master cylinder again and I 
plan to send it off to Apple for a rebuild.
     
I'll give another update after the MC rebuild.
     
Keith Baer


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