MG Midget 1979 - Brake System Maintenance; Front and Rear Brake Adjustments; Brake Lining Inspection; Brake System Preventive Care

Brakes and Master Cylinders
Front brakes Ad just ment of the disc brakes to compensate for fric tion pad wear is automa tic
Fig. 3 and manual adjustment is therefore not required. Before the lining material
(arrowed) has
worn down to the minimum permissible thickness of -rlr in (1·6 mm)
or will have
done so before the next inspection is due, the brake pads must be
renewed. Special equipment is required,
and new pads should be fitted by an
authorized Austin
MG Dealer.
Rear brakes Excessive brake pedal travel is an indication that the rear brake-shoes require
adjusting. The brakes on
both rear wheels must be adjusted to regain even and
efficient braking.
Adjusting Block the front wheels, fully release the hand brake and jack up each rear wheel
Fig. 4 in turn. Turn the adjuster (1) in a clockwise direction (viewed from the centre
of the car) until the wheel is locked, then turn the adjuster back until the wheel
is free to
rotate without the shoes rubbing. Repeat the adjustment on the other
rear brake.
Inspecting Block the front wheels, release the hand brake, and jack up each rear wheel in
rear brake turn. Remove the road wheel and slacken off the brake-shoe adjuster fully.
linings Remove the two countersunk screws (pressed wheels) or the four nuts (wire
wheels)
and withdraw the brake-drum.
Inspect the linings for wear,
and clean out the dust from the backplate assembly
and drum.
Refit the
drum and road wheel and adjust the brake-shoes.
Hand brake The hand brake is auto matically adjusted with the rear brakes. If there is excessive
movement of the
hand brake lever, consult your autho rized Aust in MG Dealer.
Preventive In addition to the recommended periodical inspection of b rake components it
maintenance is advisable as the car ages, and as a precau tion against the effects of wear and
deterioration, to make a more searching inspection and renew part s as necessary.
It is recommended
that:
(1) Disc brake pads, drum brake linings , hoses, and pipes should be examined
at intervals no greater
than those laid down in the Maintenance Summary.
(2)
Under normal operatingconditions brake fluid should be changed completely
every 18
months or 19,000 miles whichever is the sooner.
(3) All fluid seals in the hydraulic system and all flexible hoses should be renewe d
every
3 years or 37,500 miles whichever is the sooner. At the same time the
working surface of the pisto n and of the bores of the master cylinder, wheel
cylinders, and other slave cylinders
shou ld be examined and new parts fitted
where necessary.
Care
must be take n always to observe the following points:
(a) At all times use the recommended brake fluid.
(b) Neverleave fluid in unsealed cont ainers. It absorbs moisture quickly and
can be dang erous if used in the braking system in this condition.
(c) Fluid drained from the system or used for bleeding is best discarded.
(d) The necessity for absolute cleanlines t hro ughout cannot be over-
emphasized.
Replacing
brake-shoes
or pads
When it becomes necessary to renew the brake-shoes or pads it is essential that
only genuine shoes or pads, with the correct grade of lining, are used. Always
fit new shoes or pads as complete axle sets, never individually or as a single
wheel set. Serious consequences could result from out-of-balance braking due to
mixing of linings.
Replacement brake-shoes
or pads are obtainable from your authorized Austin
MG Dealer.
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
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Fig. 3
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Fig. 4