mk1-forum.net

Hi,
Has anyone got any pics of the single leading shoe set up with Spring arrangement, and which are the best shoes to buy at present.
I have adjusted mine so they slightly bind but I'm still not fully happy. I got a few ready for MOT in the 70s and I'm sure they stopped better than this one

Thanks
Macker

Haven't got any pics of my SLS brakes on the '60 unfortunately.

Shoe-wise, I wouldn't use anything other than old stock Lockheed, Girling or Mintex asbestos linings.

If you use the asbestos free shoes, put some brake drums on your future shopping lists, cos they'll sure as hell score the drums to buggery

I have fitted all new drums already, but didn't improve anything much.

Macker

I have seen quite a few sets of these with GWC1102 rear wheel cylinders fitted, or similar which are smaller bore, which doesn't help things.

Thanks for replying. I have fitted GWC 101 type cylinders from somerford.

The brakes work and the pedal is firm but it is lacking something.
I think I will order some new mintex shoes from minispares and try those.
I'm not sure if I have the right type of Spring on at the moment. They should be different than the later springs I think?

Macker

What rear cylinders do you have as the early cars with single leading shoe have 0.625 bore cylinders not 0.750. I believe the original master cylinder was 0.750 as well, but mine has a 0.700 one on not sure if original or been changed, mine is a 1962 car.
I find the brakes fine for what they are, it's the early synchromesh that catches me out.

The SLS set up is only adequate for the performance of an 850 but I have never thought it necessary to convert to twin LS on my car.

Modern brake linings are much harder than the old asbestos type and maybe that is reducing the braking effectiveness, in the same way that old, used, asbestos lined shoes can.

Daz1968 wrote:What rear cylinders do you have as the early cars with single leading shoe have 0.625 bore cylinders not 0.750. I believe the original master cylinder was 0.750 as well, but mine has a 0.700 one on not sure if original or been changed, mine is a 1962 car.
I find the brakes fine for what they are, it's the early synchromesh that catches me out.

I do have a new master cylinder on with .7 bore and a complete new back brake set up from south lakes mini on the back.
I have tried it with and without the bias valve with no noticeable difference.

I know what you mean about the gears though, it is very easy to catch first on the way from second to third if you are not carefull
Macker

yes springs are totally different to TLS arrangement, and I'm pretty sure they're different from the rears. The Mintex shoes look good, in that unlike some of the other manufacturers, the surface is finished flat, and the material is in the right position on the shoe itself, make sure you haven't got a set of shoes with the material in the centre of the shoe, as opposed offset to one end. If you haven't already, chamfer the shoe leading and trailing edges, failing that try backing off the adjusters a little, and then give them chance to bed in.

Chances are the built up rear brakes you bought would probably be 0.75 bore cylinders, theses in effect would require more fluid to operate than the smaller ones so less of the pedal travel would be applied to the front.

I always found single leading shoe brakes to be diabolical, even when fully working. Twin leading shoes are the way to go - the difference is startling, especially with a servo.

Thanks for the replies I think I will try new shoes and if that isn't any better. I will try a twin setup.

Macker

I find my single leading shoe front brakes adequate for the power of the car, wouldn't change them as it's part of the original car,

Yes , I would like to leave mine, but it will be up to the MOT guy in the end
Macker

i found the best improvement for mine was a set of original minifins,
I can now stop twice from a decent speed.

and id never change them as they are original to the car and work adequately for an 850

BMC thought differently! Twin leading shoes are just about adequate...........

To each their own though.