This tutorial is also available in French
➔
Rear brake shoes change on Austin Mini
Vehicle ➔ Mini 1000 am1991 automatic gearbox
Difficulty ➔ Medium
Time ➔ 2 hours
Summary
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Never use compressed air during cleaning operations of the braking system. You could breathe in very harmful dust. Use brake cleaner and a cloth. Your lungs will thank you.
Always change brake shoes in pairs (right wheel + left wheel).
When changing brake shoes, always change the shoe return springs.
Never press the brake pedal when a drum is removed, as this would eject the pistons from the wheel cylinder.
When changing brake shoes, it is recommended to change or repair the wheel cylinders (GWC1102). Indeed, if the shoes are worn, it is very likely that the cylinder seals are also at the end of their life. If the cylinder seals give up the ghost, you will not only have to remove the drums again to change the cylinders, but also change the shoes again because they will have been soiled by the brake fluid.
The selling price of a new wheel cylinder is not much higher than the price of the seal kit for refurbishment. Analyze the cylinders carefully before placing your order. If in doubt (oxidation, scratches, defect) order new wheel cylinders.
We decided to invest in ''Genuine'' quality wheel cylinders because we had a bad surprise with an ''adaptable'' one. From the first bleed, the tapping of the adaptable wheel cylinder where the bleeder screw is housed tore off.
The circlip assembly tool (Tool14) greatly facilitates our task when reassembling the wheel cylinder on the backplate. For about fifteen euros it is really a shame to do without it.
Break in the new brake shoes. Do not brake suddenly during the first few kilometers. This allows the shoes to adjust to the drums.
Required Tools
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Packaging :
•
GBK1834: The set includes 4 springs for the 2 rear brakes.
• GBS834AF: The set includes 4 shoes for the 2 rear brakes.
• GWC1102: Wheel cylinders are sold individually. 2 wheel cylinders are required for a vehicle. The rear wheel cylinder is usually delivered with 1 bleeder screw (513118A), 1 circlip (17H7949) and 1 gasket (37H4642) but this is not always the case. Inquire before placing the order.
• The other parts above are sold individually.
• GBS834AF: The set includes 4 shoes for the 2 rear brakes.
• GWC1102: Wheel cylinders are sold individually. 2 wheel cylinders are required for a vehicle. The rear wheel cylinder is usually delivered with 1 bleeder screw (513118A), 1 circlip (17H7949) and 1 gasket (37H4642) but this is not always the case. Inquire before placing the order.
• The other parts above are sold individually.
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Remove the brake drum
Op 01
Immobilize the front wheels. Place wooden chocks.
We are going to remove one of the rear wheels while the handbrake is released. It is imperative to perfectly secure the Mini.
Op 02
On the Mini automatic, check that the gear selector is in the ''N'' position.
On a Mini manual, engage 1st gear.
Op 03
Release the handbrake.
Op 04
Remove the wheel cover. Pull with a hook.
Op 05
Slightly loosen the 4 wheel nuts. Use the 11/16'' socket.
Op 06
Raise the Mini and secure it on jack stands. Use a jack.
Never work under the vehicle held only by a jack. It's much too dangerous. Always secure it with jack stands and/or rigid chocks.
Op 07
Unscrew the 4 nuts and remove the wheel.
Op 08
Immobilize the hub in rotation. Use a crowbar or a metal bar.
Op 09
Unscrew the drum fixing screw. Use a Phillips screwdriver and vice grips.
The brake drum fixing screw is frequently oxidized. Take every precaution to unscrew it without damaging its head. If unfortunately the screw head is damaged, you only have to use the drill to decapitate the screw and remove the drum.
Use a Phillips screwdriver with a print perfectly adapted to the screw.
If the screw is blocked, tap a few hammer blows on the screwdriver handle (1st photo). This should loosen the threads.
Op 10
Loosen the screw of the brake shoe adjustment system. Use the 8 mm spanner.
If the screw is oxidized, spray penetrating oil and let it act.
If the screw head is rounded, use vice grips (screwed for screwed). When the brake shoes are removed, you can unscrew the screw and put a new one in.
Op 11
Remove the brake drum. Pull by hand.
If the brake drum does not come:
• Tap on the periphery of the drum with a mallet (1st photo).
• Pry with a flathead screwdriver (2nd photo).
• Tap on the periphery of the drum with a mallet (1st photo).
• Pry with a flathead screwdriver (2nd photo).
Remove the shoes
Op 12
Analyze precisely the position of each of the elements (direction of the shoes, fixing point of the springs and handbrake lever). This will be useful for reassembly.
Op 13
Remove the 2 springs from the brake shoes. Use a flathead screwdriver.
Op 14
Remove the brake shoes. Pull by hand.
Ensure that the pistons do not come out of the wheel cylinder.
Op 15
Remove the split pin and the handbrake lever link pin. Use the multigrip pliers.
Op 16
Remove the handbrake lever link. Pull by hand.
Op 17
Remove the handbrake lever link boot. Pull by hand.
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Remove the wheel cylinder
Op 18
Remove the bleeder screw cap from the wheel cylinder. Pull by hand.
Slightly loosen the bleeder screw. Use the 8 mm spanner.
Let the brake fluid flow out.
Place a drain pan under the bleeder screw.
Op 19
Remove the bleeder screw. Unscrew by hand.
Op 20
Unscrew the brake hose from the wheel cylinder. Use the 11 mm spanner.
Slightly disengage the brake hose. Pull by hand.
Op 21
Remove the wheel cylinder retaining circlip. Use a flathead screwdriver.
Op 22
Remove the wheel cylinder. Pull by hand.
Recover the wheel cylinder paper gasket and throw it in the trash (3rd photo).
Reassemble the wheel cylinder
Op 23
Clean the backplate and hub. Use brake cleaner and a cloth.
Never use compressed air during cleaning operations of the braking system. You could breathe in very harmful dust.
Op 24
Remove the plug and bleeder screw from the new wheel cylinder (GWC1102). Use the 7 mm spanner.
Op 25
Fit the new paper gasket (37H4642) on the wheel cylinder
Op 26
Fit the wheel cylinder on the backplate. Press by hand.
Check that the groove of the wheel cylinder protrudes from the other side of the backplate (3rd photo). This is where we will position the circlip.
Op 27
Fit the new circlip (17H7949). Use the Tool14 tool and the 9/16'' spanner :
•
Screw the bolt of the Tool14 tool into the wheel cylinder (1st photo). Screw by hand.
•
Press the guide cone against the wheel cylinder (2nd photo). Screw by hand.
•
Fit the circlip on the guide cone (3rd photo).
•
Screw the nut and push the circlip into the groove of the wheel cylinder (4th and 5th photo). Use the 9/16'' spanner.
•
Remove the Tool14 tool.
The Tool14 tool is not essential for positioning the wheel cylinder circlip. You can simply use the multigrip pliers. But the circlip is really very rigid and without the tool, it is very difficult to put in place.
Op 28
Rotate the circlip to release the bleeder screw port. Use needle-nose pliers.
Op 29
Replace the brake hose in the wheel cylinder and screw on the fitting. Use the 11 mm spanner.
Op 30
Screw the bleeder screw (513118A) onto the wheel cylinder. Use the 8 mm spanner.
Reassemble the shoes
Op 31
Fit the lower spring (kit GBK1834) on the brake shoes (GBS834AF).
Respect the positioning of the shoes. They must be head-to-toe (1st photo).
The spring connection wire must be positioned downwards (2nd photo).
Respect the spring attachment points (3rd photo).
Op 32
Fit the handbrake lever link on the backplate.
Op 33
Fit the shoe + lower spring assembly on the backplate:
•
Engage the front shoe on the wheel cylinder (2nd photo).
•
Engage the handbrake lever link in the front shoe (3rd photo).
•
Engage the rear shoe on the wheel cylinder (4th photo).
•
Engage the handbrake lever link in the rear shoe (5th photo).
Op 34
Fit the upper spring (kit GBK1834) on the shoes (2nd photo).
Engage the shoes on the adjustment system (3rd photo).
Respect the spring attachment points (2nd photo).
Op 35
Before reassembling the drum, check the correct position of the spring anchor points (red arrows) and the handbrake lever link (green arrows).
Op 36
Fit the handbrake lever link boot (17H7612).
Op 37
Fit the handbrake lever link pin and its split pin (GFK101).
Spread the legs of the split pin. Use the multigrip pliers.
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Reassemble the drum
Op 38
Fit the drum. Push by hand.
Align 1 of the 2 drum holes with the hub tapping (2nd photo). This will allow you to fit the screw.
Op 39
Screw in the drum fixing screw (CMZ422). Use the Phillips screwdriver.
Op 40
Adjust the shoe clearance. Use the 8 mm spanner:
•
Screw in the adjustment screw until the drum is completely blocked (2nd photo).
•
Loosen the screw until the drum can rotate freely (3rd photo).
Op 41
Reassemble the wheel and screw on the 4 nuts. Use the 11/16'' socket.
Lower the Mini to the ground. Remove the chocks or jack stands.
Tighten the 4 nuts to the torque corresponding to the type of rim. Use the torque wrench.
The tightening torque of the wheel nuts is:
• 63 mN for steel rims.
• 50 mN for alloy rims.
• 63 mN for steel rims.
• 50 mN for alloy rims.
Op 42
Reassemble the wheel cover. Fit it into the rim by pushing by hand.
Position the notch of the wheel cover at the valve (1st photo).
Op 43
Bleed the brake circuit (➔ see the tutorial ''Bleeding the brake circuit'').
The End
