Practically Classics Forum

Hi there all

I recently bought an austin 1300 mkIII and have done loads of work but come to a hault on the brakes. Their current state is rusty to say the least. They are binding and generally crap. I wondered if anyone knows if there is a common problem with these swinging brakes that make them bind? Or where I can find new ones? Or how easy it is to take em off and convert it to a fixed caliper system? Similar to the mini?

Thanks guys

if you rebuild them with new parts that should be a great improvement, bit of copper grease on the sliding parts will help too. also check the free movement of handbrake cables. do one side at a time & you can use the other side as a reference
can you post a pic of the swinging system? ive not heard of that before..

Can't answer your question but I can point you to two other places where you might find out more (but don't forget to come back and tell us the answer )

ADO16 Info - a lot of technical stuff, history and general information plus a forum to ask questions
http://www.ado16.info/

The 1100 Owners Club - basic info open to all but a lot of technical info, manuals, parts lists, back issues of magazines etc available to members including a helpful search facility so if it's been in a back issue of the Club magazine you can read all about it on screen
http://www.the1100club.co.uk/

Id agree about doing one side at a time, loads of digital pics before and during the strip down helps a lot (plus after shots so you can show us )
I always use copper grease during the rebuild, makes everything work 'right' and is a huge benefit next year when servicing.
Before you rush out and buy new bits, id strip and clean off what you have, its quite amazing how some parts respond to a little tlc.


Kev

+1 for TLC.

The important thing is to make the frame slide freely on the calliper (for want of a more technical description) and make sure the seals are sound and the piston moves in and out smoothly. Once cleaned and working properly, they are every bit as good as twin-piston affairs (possibly better - only one set of seals per wheel to worry about)!

I spent many happy hours sorting them out on our old BL cars (we had a few over 20 odd years!). That might sound as if they are unreliable - but you should have seen some of the cars - and the country roads they drove on! My first Maxi's slides were well and truly stuck when I bought it, I spent a good half hour freeing off eash side (Plus Gas and a large hammer were needed). Eventually, I could move them with a "slap" with the palm of my hand - which is about all they should need to move them. Once sorted, it's simply a matter of keeping them free - taking the pads out, a quick squirt of penetrating oil (Duck oil or similar) in the slides and trying a slap - usually about five minutes a side at MOT time is adequate.

Thanks everyone. Getting on to it right away. The pistons are stuck fast. Is it a big job to take them out and get em in again. I'm being told the rubbers inside can be a nightmare? Il get you some pictures too

Easy way to shift the pistons, use the brake pedal....remove the caliper, but leave the hydraulics attached, take out the pads, and push the pedal, that'll drive the pistons out. If one is not .going and the other is, use a g clamp or a suitable block of wood to prevent the moving piston going any further, that'll make all the hydraulic pressure go to the most stuck piston, they'll shift, and its easier than trying to pull 'em out.

mr rusty wrote:Easy way to shift the pistons, use the brake pedal....remove the caliper, but leave the hydraulics attached, take out the pads, and push the pedal, that'll drive the pistons out. If one is not .going and the other is, use a g clamp or a suitable block of wood to prevent the moving piston going any further, that'll make all the hydraulic pressure go to the most stuck piston, they'll shift, and its easier than trying to pull 'em out.

Sorry for the hysterical laughter!

I just wish Mr Rusty had been around when I did my callipers!

Here's why.
http://practicallyclassics.phpbbhosts.c ... 2&start=10