MGB & GT Forum

spent the weekend rebuilding the back end of my 79 B. New Leaf Springs, replaced the Armstrong shocks with MOSS tube shocks, new rebound straps, new brake lines, and new rear shoes. I thought a couple days... not even close! What a job. after 35 years, every bolt was frozen... but I finally got'er done.

I do have a question about the rear brake shoes... the right side shoes have an extra spring. not included in the MOSS rear brake kit.

The confusing part is it's shown in the HAYNES manual, in the photo at the bottom of page 152, but not in the drawing at the top of the same page. I assume it's suppose to be there, but why only on one side?

Any answers would be greatly appreciated.

Chuck

---

CEY

That's the e-brake spring, I think.

Should be one on each side, as far as I know.

How's that for non-committal?

I wonder why it's not part of the MOSS kit.

---

CEY

No telling.

Sure seems like it should be in there, but I had to order mine separately.

you were right James and Howie... I went back to the MOSS catalog and, sure enough, there it is, number 81, "Spring, handbrake lever", but it's not in the kit... I'm going to call them Monday.

---

CEY

I just looked at the description:


No mention of the e-brake spring.

I am also doing a long weekend rear end project. New cylinders and brake shoes... BUT mid project I noticed the crushed steel brake lines so I ordered new ones on Friday afternoon. They almost made it here, but are sitting in a UPS depot about 40 miles from here. Making me wait until Tuesday afternoon. So I'm doing other projects. Shoulda ordered those new rear springs.

On your posting:
I did read somewhere that later versions has three springs per wheel. Haynes?

I noticed in your photo that you have the inner spring installtd incorrectly. I believe the little extra leg on the rearward end of the spring goes UNDER the parking brake lever arm. I believe it is just a rattle preventer.... probably works either way.

Anyone else out there know for sure????

I think John Twist has a video and it might show up there.

Here you go. John Twist video.
Shows the spring locations really well.

This should help also:

http://www.mgb-stuff.org.uk/rearbrakes.htm

---

“Ideological certainty easily degenerates into an insistence upon ignorance". Daniel Patrick Moynihan

In any debate, the side which strays from civil discussion is usually the side that lacks confidence in its debate position or in the merit of their arguments. Making personal attacks on the opponents instead of staying on the subject is also a sign of weakness.

Anyone who feels compelled to respond in kind to any perceived slight is often suffering from narcissism.

Thanks everyone... Before I started this "little" project, I went out and did a search on "twist and rear brakes" and didn't come up with this video... Thanks Rich for attaching it!

I ended up putting it back together using the HAYNES manual... Which obviously is wrong.

I did learn one thing the hard way, when you grasp the anti rattle retainer washer with your pliers, hold it with the elongated hole facing the jaws. If you pick it up with the long opening perpendicular to the jaws, it takes very little force to fold it right in half... The metal on these new retainers is so thin, it takes no effort at all, to bend it.

Appreciate all your advice!

Chuck

---

CEY

Okay - I'm doing the rear brakes right now. So the Haynes manual is wrong - according to John Twist and the other link above, right? Boy, that guy is good!

The link to MGB-stuff.org shows the "empty section" different on the left and right sides of the car. Is this correct too ? It makes sense to me, but my car is NOT like that.

I'm going to proceed like the MGB-stuff.org website shows. Please let me know if I'm making a big mistake!

---

Scott
'78 MGB

Scotty, how did it turn out? the link Bob attached above is dead on. I ordered new E springs from MOSS and was hoping to install them this weekend, along with new boots for the Emergency Brake linkage on the back of the brake housing.

That will finish up the back end, I wanted to start on the front this weekend too, and completely re-build it, but my wife informed me I have some "honey-do" projects I've been putting off, that MUST be done before I get to spend another weekend with Jenni.

DRATS!!!

---

CEY

Chuck,
I did the fronts last weekend - new rotors, flex lines, pads. I didn't replace the caliper seals, I hope that doesn't bite me in the ass. Had some small issues, nothing major, but I won't know until I get all 4 buttoned up and bled.
My other post
I had a little trouble bending back the ears of the caliper bolts washer thing in the fronts - it was hard to get at. Once I got it started with a screwdriver I put a socket over it and wacked it until the socket had enough bolt head to grab.

Turns out my roadster has a GT rear axle (or at least backing plates) so the cylinders in the kit I bought didn't fit. I got in touch with Gordon at the B Hive and he swapped me some GT ones - no problem. I just finished reassembling the driver side rear. No real issue except for that pain in the butt E-clip that holds in the cylinder. John Twist sure makes it look easy! Took me at least half an hour. I did replace the e-brake boot, boy there was nothing left of mine! The passenger side rear has the shoes positioned the same as the driver side - which is wrong according to the link above. I'm going to put them in the way the link shows. And I had to drill out one of the screws that hold the drum to the hub - the head was totally stripped. But evidently I only need to have one, as the stripped one was the only on that side. I got new screws from Gordon too. I'm just reusing the e-brake springs, I expected them to be in the kit, but nope!

If I get this done and everything works without problems I'll be amazed... I'm too old to be laying all over the garage floor trying to muscle these things!

---

Scott
'78 MGB

The drum screws aren't really required since the wheels & lug nuts will secure the drum. Nice to have, but it won't hurt if you don't have them.

I just had the same experience with the E-springs yesterday. Turns out they aren't in the standard brake springs kit (at least at Moss) because there are different E-Brake springs for early and later model 'B's.

---

“Ideological certainty easily degenerates into an insistence upon ignorance". Daniel Patrick Moynihan

In any debate, the side which strays from civil discussion is usually the side that lacks confidence in its debate position or in the merit of their arguments. Making personal attacks on the opponents instead of staying on the subject is also a sign of weakness.

Anyone who feels compelled to respond in kind to any perceived slight is often suffering from narcissism.

I got up early this morning (before the wife's honey do's start) installed the springs, boots, new Clevis pins (liked to never got the pins off the brake linkage) and I even replaced the right side drum... The DPO must have had the same problem with the drum screw, only he totally wrecked the drum getting it off... (Don't know why he didn't just drill it out, but he didn't!) he used a chisel and a torch... Warped the damn drum!

I called MOSS last Tuesday and raised Cane (do you raise Kane or Cane???) anyway I told'em they need to place a note on their computer tied to the "Complete Rear Brake Kit" PN so as to remind anyone ordering the kit, that they need to also order the e springs too. I had to pay for the springs, but they sent them for free.

Looks like I'll be hanging new towel racks and replacing one of the bathroom sinks today... You guys enjoy your B's, cause I won't...

Chuck

Let's eat, Grandma
Let's eat Grandma

Commas save lives, use them wisely

---

CEY