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 Rear Brakes
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stevebod
V4 Fanatic

United Kingdom
416 Posts

Posted - 09 Oct 2017 :  18:07:18 Show Profile Reply with Quote
Hi All,
I was successful in passing the MOT (U.K. road worthiness test) last week but with an advisory on the handbrake which was at the minimum.
I have fairly new cables in place, but the brake shoes are old, and the adjusters are pretty rounded and stiff. The hand brake mechanism in the drum is also quite rusty and as an aside I have non-matching back plates. Overall the brakes are looking like the 45 years old that they are.

I note from other discussions that some of the drum brake parts are mini compatible.
Does anyone know if the whole back plate assembly is from a Mini?
Reason for asking is that it looks like you can get a reconditioned pair of brake mechanics for about £88.
I wonder if this is a simple swap out option for returning the brakes to "as new" condition? All of the parts in the photo look very Saab like, but does anyone know for sure?
Here's a link to the parts.
https://www.minisport.com/ms2690-mini-rear-drum-brake-assemblies.html
Cheers,
Steve

Dirtbiker
V4 Guru

United Kingdom
1060 Posts

Posted - 09 Oct 2017 :  21:21:58 Show Profile Reply with Quote
Hi Steve,
They look good but I'm pretty sure the V4 back plates have four mounting holes, looks like a mini has three...
If the diameter of the drum is the same (I suspect the Mini drum is smaller) and the holes could simply be re-drilled then this could be good.
I believe the SAAB back plate is a Lockheed part originally.
The square headed adjusters definitely fit, I have used Mini parts in the past.
Sold a 1967 MK1 with an MOT to a mate for £300 in the early Nineties...
Cheers
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stevebod
V4 Fanatic

United Kingdom
416 Posts

Posted - 10 Oct 2017 :  08:01:55 Show Profile Reply with Quote
Cheers Dirtbiker.
Well I think some new adjusters are needed on my Saab so that is good to know they are compatible.
I may investigate drum diameters to look at other common areas in the meantime.
Thanks for the reply.
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Dynorog
V4 Fanatic

United Kingdom
249 Posts

Posted - 10 Oct 2017 :  08:45:28 Show Profile Reply with Quote
Hi Steve ,
I think Mini drums are 7" DIA
Which is a bit of a shame.
Cheers
Roger

Dynorog

Edited by - Dynorog on 10 Oct 2017 08:46:39
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melle
V4 Guru

United Kingdom
3830 Posts

Posted - 10 Oct 2017 :  12:40:51 Show Profile Reply with Quote
I can confirm you can use Mini/ Austin/ MG etc. rear brake adjusters, cylinders and handbrake lever boots.

www.saabv4.com
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deggsie
V4 Fanatic

United Kingdom
431 Posts

Posted - 10 Oct 2017 :  22:41:01 Show Profile Reply with Quote
I notice that Malbrad sell slightly longer adjuster wedges to compensate for worn drums - anyone used these ?

___________________________
Saab - beyond the conventional !
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melle
V4 Guru

United Kingdom
3830 Posts

Posted - 11 Oct 2017 :  10:05:23 Show Profile Reply with Quote
No, but I remember modifying a pair. If you go that route, you'll also need to modify the brake shoes with a bit of weld.

www.saabv4.com
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stevebod
V4 Fanatic

United Kingdom
416 Posts

Posted - 11 Oct 2017 :  12:01:02 Show Profile Reply with Quote
Thanks for the additional comments.
I have actually already modified my adjusters to try and improve them, but the test showed the handbrake to be marginal. The foot brake is ok though.
I think I'll get some new adjusters and mine are different sizes anyway.
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OWEN
V4 Fanatic

United Kingdom
318 Posts

Posted - 30 Nov 2017 :  16:56:40 Show Profile Reply with Quote
It'll be wear on the linkage. A bit of weld where it goes through the backplate does it I'm told. I have the same problem (and tried everything except that bit of weld).
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deggsie
V4 Fanatic

United Kingdom
431 Posts

Posted - 30 Nov 2017 :  21:20:58 Show Profile Reply with Quote
New linkages are fairly readily available (Malbrad or Skandix stock them) - having replaced mine last year, I was amazed how much difference the new ones made (the old ones were very sloppy at the pivot).

___________________________
Saab - beyond the conventional !
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stevebod
V4 Fanatic

United Kingdom
416 Posts

Posted - 06 Dec 2017 :  10:46:06 Show Profile Reply with Quote
I agree that the linkage at the drum is important to getting the brakes working effectively.
In my case, the new shoes and new adjusters have made a big difference and I can now lock the wheels on a wet road without much effort.
Looking at the linkage it seems to me that ideally the lever would be 90° to the drum back plate, just as the shoes start to bite. This would give maximum leverage into the system right when you need it. As the shoes, pivots and links wear, the level moves further from the 90° point and becomes less effective. In my case the lever was hardly pivoting at all and instead was just pulling the whole shoes assembly forward with the handbrake cable, rather than separating the shoes.
Not sure if this is of any interest to anyone, but when the weather warms up I may try adding some weld to the levers so that the lever sits at 90° ready to operate and see if it makes the system better.
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