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Car Forum / MINI / November 2003

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Brakes Locking and Car pulling

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Suman Menon - 24 Nov 2003 15:12 GMT
Hi there,

I currently own a Mini 1275GT (1975). I've been having tremendous problems
with my brakes and suspension.

1. The brakes work fine when depressed hard. In fact it works so good that
the rear wheels lock-up. I've serviced the servo, changed the pumps at the
rear and all hoses. I've also bleed the brakes. Initially it works
great -- superb braking power. However after a few long runs, it's
back to its abnormal state i.e. first pedal depress is really low followed
immediately with the second pedal depress which produces adequate braking
power.

2. I jacked up the car today and rotated the wheels. Unfortunately both my
front wheels seemed locked i.e. it's grinding against the brake
disc when rotated wherelse my rear left wheel suddenly slows to a stop
unlike the rear right wheel which rotates without resistance.

3. My right turning cycle is better than my left. Also when I take on the
left bends, the car suddenly feels like its swerving more and more to the
left without me turning the wheel. I'm always having to pull the wheel
back to get the car back to its right direction. This only happens on
higher speeds. Really worried about this as at times I feel like I'm
losing control of the car.

Am a bit mind boggled at the moment as I've just spent loads of
money fixing the car. Appreciate all help.

Thanks in advance,

Signature

Suman

DaveG - 24 Nov 2003 18:59 GMT
Rear brakes shouldn't lock up, espcially before the front. This will cause
you to change direction in the wet.

You need to check the following:-
Did you fit the correct rear wheel cylinders? (Check part No) As incorrect
cylinders cause the front / rear bias to change.
Did you adjust the rear brakes correctly?
Its also common for the front caliper pistons to corrode and start to stick.
It might be time to overhaul the calipers with new pistons and seals.
> Hi there,
>
[quoted text clipped - 28 lines]
> --
> Suman
DaveG - 24 Nov 2003 19:06 GMT
By the way, the stearing problem is probably the stearing rack 'U' clamp
bolts aren't tight.
Lift the carpet and you should find 4 bolts ( 2 pairs either side of the
car) Tighten these!

If they are tight then have a good look at the subframe mountings and check
for play in the stearing rack.
> Hi there,
>
[quoted text clipped - 28 lines]
> --
> Suman
Fitzy - 24 Nov 2003 20:01 GMT
> Hi there,
>
[quoted text clipped - 25 lines]
>
> Thanks in advance,

Hi suman,
I had this problem recently with another car,
The servo valve was not releasing the pressure,
Fitzy
Suman Menon - 25 Nov 2003 10:11 GMT
Thanks for the responses.

Really appreciate it. Will get it checked-out as soon as possible.

Thanks a bunch,

Signature

Suman

> > Hi there,
> >
[quoted text clipped - 30 lines]
> The servo valve was not releasing the pressure,
> Fitzy
Makka - 26 Nov 2003 02:09 GMT
the steering rack may also be out a turn ie 2 half one way and 1 half the
other so you may need to centre the rack by turning the wheel then adjusting
the arms
makka
> Thanks for the responses.
>
[quoted text clipped - 36 lines]
> > The servo valve was not releasing the pressure,
> > Fitzy
K - 26 Nov 2003 21:24 GMT
> the steering rack may also be out a turn ie 2 half one way and 1 half the
> other so you may need to centre the rack by turning the wheel then adjusting
> the arms
> makka

Hi,
That is NOT the way to centre the steering rack!
In the left hand footwell (right for left hand drive) there is a grommet in
the floor. Remove this and underneath you will see a hexagon socket. Using
an allen key, unscrew this. Take a 1/4 inch rod and push into the hole;
keeping a little pressure on the rod, move the steering wheel back and forth
until the rod drops into the steering rack. The rack is now centred. Then
adjust the track rod ends to give the correct tracking, and finally re-set
the steering wheel to centre. Remove the rod, replace the plug and then
replace the grommet.

K
Makka - 27 Nov 2003 13:46 GMT
thats it i could not remember the correct procedure K so i thought that may
help in a way
makka

> > the steering rack may also be out a turn ie 2 half one way and 1 half the
> > other so you may need to centre the rack by turning the wheel then
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
>
> K
K - 27 Nov 2003 20:16 GMT
> thats it i could not remember the correct procedure K so i thought that may
> help in a way
[quoted text clipped - 21 lines]
> >
> > K

Hi,
I had to put in this info. I had a customer I fitted a new steering rack to
his Min. As I did not have a tracking guage, I sent him to kwik-fit to have
the tracking done. He came back with a message from said   (sad) "experts"
telling me I had not fitted the rack correctly, therefore they could not set
the tracking. When I checked the car, I found that they had not centred the
rack and had turned the steering wheel to centre, then attempted to set the
track. Result one track rod hanging on by one thread, and the other chewed
up with mole grips in an attempt to screw it in past it's thread limit.
Just goes to show - don't trust the "experts", ask someone who knows!

K

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