Ay up!
I'm currently recommissioning a Beetle-based trike for a friend. The trike has a chopper front end with a beetle rear subframe and brakes.
The master cylinder was completely goosed and imagine my surprise at finding that it was a Lotus Elan item! This has been replaced and is pumping fluid like, well, a pump. When I loose off the bleed nipples on the drums, fluid flows with every pump. Problem is, no brake effort results when I tighten them up. Removing the drums has revealed no leaks and yet the brake pedal feels "spongy."
I am beginning to wonder is the brake cylinders are goosed as well but does anyone have any ideas? Being a Citroen nut (discs all round on both BX and Xantia), I've not worked on drum brakes for many a long year.
Beetle brakes
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Xantia-nut
- Posts: 160
- Joined: Thu Apr 26, 2012 3:46 pm
- Location: Wolverhampton
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Beetle brakes
If in doubt, give it a clout!
If that don't work, fetch a bigger 'ammer!
1993 Citroen Xantia 1.8i LX
If that don't work, fetch a bigger 'ammer!
1993 Citroen Xantia 1.8i LX
Re: Beetle brakes
Are they adjusted correctly??,
To check the wheel cylinders you will need to take the drum off by undoing the big ass nut, when you get in there apply light brake pressure to see if both pistons on each cylinder are moving if not then they are seized.
There are two adjusters on each side they are accessed by a hole in the back plate and you need to turn the little star nut (most likely seized).
Do it with the drums on and keep adjusting until the shoes rub the drum then back them off until you hear the faintest rubbing sound.
Also there is only one rear circuit but two fronts and as its a trike what has happened to the front two pipes.??
Have fun.
To check the wheel cylinders you will need to take the drum off by undoing the big ass nut, when you get in there apply light brake pressure to see if both pistons on each cylinder are moving if not then they are seized.
There are two adjusters on each side they are accessed by a hole in the back plate and you need to turn the little star nut (most likely seized).
Do it with the drums on and keep adjusting until the shoes rub the drum then back them off until you hear the faintest rubbing sound.
Also there is only one rear circuit but two fronts and as its a trike what has happened to the front two pipes.??
Have fun.
Re: Beetle brakes
Lotus Elan master is a simple, bog stock Girling CV so there's only one outlet. Almost a universal choice for trike and many kit builders these as they're only a shade over a tenner new from MM and the parts are cheap. (Beware of some Lotus specialists that charge as much as £60 for these £10 cylinders! 
)
If this one was old stock, then maybe the problem was that the seals haven't stood storage well? MM ones all come with new rubber already fitted as they are new, Speedy Spares' NOS CVs come with new kits as they recognise that they'll need to be changed. Maybe that's how you haven't managed a hard pedal yet?
)If this one was old stock, then maybe the problem was that the seals haven't stood storage well? MM ones all come with new rubber already fitted as they are new, Speedy Spares' NOS CVs come with new kits as they recognise that they'll need to be changed. Maybe that's how you haven't managed a hard pedal yet?
J
"Home is where you park it", so the saying goes. That may yet come true..
"Home is where you park it", so the saying goes. That may yet come true..
Re: Beetle brakes
WHS ^^^
But have you also checked the drums for wear, not too likely, but just had trouble with the Landy (boys 2A) where we couldn't get a pedal as the drums were THAT worn. Bloody West Coast crofters..... who needs material on the shoes when the metal will do......
But have you also checked the drums for wear, not too likely, but just had trouble with the Landy (boys 2A) where we couldn't get a pedal as the drums were THAT worn. Bloody West Coast crofters..... who needs material on the shoes when the metal will do......
Re: Beetle brakes
My money would be in seized cylinders. Mine were seized when I bought my Beetle.
Brett Nicholson
1965 Morris Mini Traveller - Trixie
1966 Austin Mini Super-Deluxe - Audrey
1969 Morris Mini Van - Desert Assault Van
1971 Morris Moke - Mopoke
1974 VW Super Beetle - Olive
2009 Nissan Pathfinder
1965 Morris Mini Traveller - Trixie
1966 Austin Mini Super-Deluxe - Audrey
1969 Morris Mini Van - Desert Assault Van
1971 Morris Moke - Mopoke
1974 VW Super Beetle - Olive
2009 Nissan Pathfinder
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Xantia-nut
- Posts: 160
- Joined: Thu Apr 26, 2012 3:46 pm
- Location: Wolverhampton
- Contact:
Re: Beetle brakes
Ay up!
That's great. Many thanks.
I'll report back....
That's great. Many thanks.
I'll report back....
If in doubt, give it a clout!
If that don't work, fetch a bigger 'ammer!
1993 Citroen Xantia 1.8i LX
If that don't work, fetch a bigger 'ammer!
1993 Citroen Xantia 1.8i LX
-
Xantia-nut
- Posts: 160
- Joined: Thu Apr 26, 2012 3:46 pm
- Location: Wolverhampton
- Contact:
Re: Beetle brakes
Ay up!
The cylinders were seized. After scaring myself by trying the Trike out BEFORE I'd adjusted the back brakes, out came the screwdrivers.
It now goes (very loudly) and stops. Result!
This is where I feel good!
Many thanks for the advice.
The cylinders were seized. After scaring myself by trying the Trike out BEFORE I'd adjusted the back brakes, out came the screwdrivers.
It now goes (very loudly) and stops. Result!
This is where I feel good!
Many thanks for the advice.
If in doubt, give it a clout!
If that don't work, fetch a bigger 'ammer!
1993 Citroen Xantia 1.8i LX
If that don't work, fetch a bigger 'ammer!
1993 Citroen Xantia 1.8i LX