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MG MGA - Brake system rebuild

I am in the proces of gathering parts to do a total rebuild of my cars brake system.

I have always had a problem with the brakes in that they pull to one side during very heavy braking and I have always assumed that this was caused by the rear brakes being unevenly adjusted.

However, during a recent MOT test , the rolling road brake tester showed that the rears were actually pretty evenly matched, although there must be some ovality in the drums which cause the rear braking effort to vary a little on every rotation.

So, I have decided to replace the front calipers with new repro ones, fit new rear drums, new rear shoes, new rear brake cylinders and obviously new front disks and pads.

My main concern is that, apparently, Moss are supplying MGB calipers when you order new MGA calipers.

Does anyone know the difference between the MGA and the MGB caliper as I wish to install the original MGA design?

Also, where is the best place to buy new MGA calipers and rear brake cylinders

Cheers
Colyn
Colyn Firth

Hi Colyn

MGOC is selling MGA calipers.

Cheers
Dave
Bolney Coupe

Thanks Dave,
I will give them a call next week.

I think I had better replace the brake hoses too, these have been on the car since I got it back in 2006.

Cheers
Colyn
Colyn Firth

Colyn

Twisted chassis? Everything else secure? My 2007 C-Class Merc recently started pulling to one side. I thought brakes. Took it in and they found 2 trailing arm brackets on the rear subframe had fractured. Merc fitted a new sub frame (£2,700.00) free of charge. Pretty good for a 16 year old car. Hushed up sort of non recall apparently; repair free when reported. Known weakness.

Steve
Steve Gyles

If your calipers are original, I would be inclined to have them refurbished before buying repros. I have one repro caliper on an MGB and it has been the source of multiple problems including squealing and improper pad fit.
Steve Simmons

Yep, the housings don't wear really, I'd be reco'ing your own using some nice new shiny stainless pistons.
And - when you get your new rear cylinders, pull the dust seals off and measure that they're both the same bore size.
William Revit

Does anyone have any advice on where to get the best quality rear brake cylinders?

I would prefer to get the best ones available.
I suppose I am trying to avoid the problems people have had with the two types of master cylinder that are available, one works perfectly but the other can cause the brakes to stick on.

Cheers
Colyn
Colyn Firth

Hi Colyn

Can I ask whose rear shoes you are using, have you got a good one?

Paul
Paul Dean

Hi Paul,
I got some new rear brake shoes and drums from Bob West, I have had a look at them and their curves match perfectly. Bob gets them specially made.

What is really annoying is that about 4 years ago, I installed new rear drums and I splashed out on some special brake shoes which had Mintex M1144 linings. They were excellent for about 3 months until I decided to top up the lubricant in the diff.

Unfortunately, the RH drive shaft oil seal wasn't actually sealing! Naturally, the higher oil level poured straight through and wrecked the new shoes and thoroughly contaminated the new drum.

So, I had to re-fit the old ones, which are still on the car and I have finally got around to replacing them.

My post above which mentions Master Cylinders, was meant to illustrate that fitting the wrong make of brake part could create problems. My M/C is working fine and I plan to keep using it for the time being.

So, if anyone can recommend a supplier of rear brake cylinder, I would be grateful.

Cheers
Colyn


Colyn Firth

This thread was discussed between 17/02/2024 and 23/02/2024

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