FRONT DRUMS

Post any technical questions or queries here.
Post Reply
GarysMK1
Basic 850
Posts: 54
Joined: Tue Nov 13, 2018 12:17 pm
Location: Chester le Street Co. Durham

FRONT DRUMS

Post by GarysMK1 »

Hello gents, My front drums are worn on my 60 Mini Seven.

Q. Some early cars had 1.5" shoes fitted and others 1.25". As i'm getting new drums, can i fit the larger 1.5s even though i have no twin leading shoe setup or are the 1.25s the only ones that will fit ? Just fancied that little more stopping power thats all :)

kind regards Gary
Catmint
998 Cooper
Posts: 717
Joined: Thu Jul 18, 2013 7:31 am
Location: Vale of Mowbray
Been thanked: 15 times
Contact:

Re: FRONT DRUMS

Post by Catmint »

Isn't it the design of the back plate that limits the size of the shoes? I seem to remember in my youth trying to fit 1.5's to the rear and failing dismally
User avatar
woodypup59
1275 Cooper S
Posts: 1571
Joined: Thu Jun 24, 2010 5:28 pm
Location: London UK
Has thanked: 8 times
Been thanked: 22 times

Re: FRONT DRUMS

Post by woodypup59 »

The drums are all the same.

The 1.5" shoes won't fit the rear because the position of the cylinder on the back plate prevents that.

Anyway, you don't want too much braking at the back end - hence the limit valve.
Dearg1275
1275 Cooper S
Posts: 1501
Joined: Mon May 11, 2015 4:16 pm
Location: Scotland

Re: FRONT DRUMS

Post by Dearg1275 »

The offset for the centre line of the shoe will be different between the 1.25 and 1.5 shoes. The only sensible way to go is to forget originality (which you were proposing to do anyway) and fit twin leading shoe back plates and most recent wheel cylinders. You will then have good brakes that surpass the discs fitted to the basic Coopers. If you keep them adjusted they are really quite sharp.

D
Post Reply