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MG TD TF 1500 - TD Brake shoe fitment problems

Hello All:

I have just replaced one of the front left wheel cylinders, and I am having the damnedest time getting the brake drum to fit over the shoes. Both adjustment cams are rotated to the proper position, and the shoes are properly seated on the cylinders. The alignment with the center spline checks out, but the leading edge of the drum is actually binding on the shoes as I slide the drum onto the spline. I have also loosened the bleeder screw to make sure one of the cylinders in not pushing the shoes out. I have even given the drum a couple of firm whacks with a deadblow mallet, but no luck. I'm sure I must have overlooked something. These are not new shoes, so I'm stumped. Any thoughts or suggestions?

Thanks in advance,

Randall
J. Randall Pitts

Randall,
I only recently redid my brakes and had exactly the same problem fitting the drums over the shoes. We filed a VERY small amount off the rounded point of the shoes that fits into the cylinder. They then fit perfectly. Hope that helps. .... Chris
Chris Malcolm (TD 29228)

Try tapping the shoes slightly backwards or forward. If you are sure they are centered and seated correctly,Chris's idea would work. Maybe measure the distance from the bottom of the groove in the back of the cylinder to the piston seating surface and see if the new cylinders are effectively longer.
George Butz

Hi Randall, are you sure the shoes are aligned properly. There is quite a bit of sideways movement possible, even when correctly seated. When the drum is in position, look to see of the shoes are concentric. I find that easing the drums on with a combination of slight twisting and wiggling movements will usually get the edge of the shoes in the drum, after which it usually becomes easier. Hitting with a hammer is rarely successful in my experience. Good luck, Matt
Matt Davis

There was a recient post similar to this one,,, I believe that one of the shoes was backwards?????? IE the incorrect leading edge????
Check the archives,,,,,

SPW
STEVE WINCZE

Randall,
Although I didn't find it necessary on mine, I have read here on other threads about having the shoes arced to fit the drum prior to installation. Could your shoes have a different radius from the drums? This might give you some high points on the shoe that interferes with putting the drums on. If you lay a shoe inside a drum how does it fit? I understand that a brake shop can arc your shoes to match the drums. Perhaps others have done this and can shed more light.
Mort
Mort 1950 TD Möbius

Thanks for the quick replies. I'm going to get back under the car this afternoon and check everything. Is it possible the the pedal spring is failing to return the pedal to the proper position, and the cylinders are exerting light pressure as a result?
J. Randall Pitts

Randall,
Forget what I said about the shoe being on backwards,,, that happened on another forum, not TD
.
. Asuming the the cylindar is installed correctly,,, can you determine where it is hitting the shoe?? Front, Back, Middle????

At one time, I remember that my drum would not fit over the shoe because the shoe was a bit to far foward,,,not centered on the hub,,,,

SPW
STEVE WINCZE

I looked at it again today, and I had the adjusting cams on the wrong side of the wheel cylinder.
J. Randall Pitts

mort, you may have already had this thought, but if not, re-arcing maybe necessary after drums have been turned, thus enlarging the opening. . the shoes always fit inside this larger opening. then, as you know, the re-arching gives the shoes the same curve. regards, tom
tom peterson

This thread was discussed between 28/10/2011 and 29/10/2011

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