A long time ago I rebuilt the rear brakes (https://mearcat.blogspot.com/2010/04/rebuilding-rear-brakes.html) and have had them in storage ever since, but recently I came across a YouTube video detailing how to rebuild classic Mini rear brakes (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M02bqqNOlkY) with some additional info about adding anti-seize lubricant to specific parts of the brake assembly. As a side note, I've found that Stevestonmotorco is a great classic Mini related YouTube channel with some excellent tech tip videos.
I went to a few local brake shops and none of them had adapters or clamps on their brake lathes that could fit Mini discs so I decided to do it myself on my home lathe. Using a carbide tool, I cleaned up the front face where the drive flange bolts to as well as both disc faces. Machining cast iron is pretty messy so I covered the lathe bed with some old t-shirts, as the dust is also an abrasive and not good for the lathe bed/ways.
I was quite happy with the result, even with a few fingerprint smudges.
After a liberal coat of lanolin to stop any rust forming, I bolted the drive flanges to the discs and stored them away. The lanolin of course will be cleaned off when the brakes are fitted to the car.
Following the tips from one their brake videos, I've disassembled both rear drum brake assemblies and added nickel anti-seize compound (grey paste in the pic below) in all the noted locations :
- On both ends of the drum brakes shoes
- Adjuster screw and wedges
- Handbrake bracket/lever
When reassembling everything, I also put some anti-seize compound on the wheel studs and inner mounting face of the drum. This was a quick task but ensures that nothing will bind up or seize in the future.
While I was working on the brakes, I also remembered that the 8.4" discs that I sourced years ago really needed a skim to clean them up.
When reassembling everything, I also put some anti-seize compound on the wheel studs and inner mounting face of the drum. This was a quick task but ensures that nothing will bind up or seize in the future.
While I was working on the brakes, I also remembered that the 8.4" discs that I sourced years ago really needed a skim to clean them up.
I went to a few local brake shops and none of them had adapters or clamps on their brake lathes that could fit Mini discs so I decided to do it myself on my home lathe. Using a carbide tool, I cleaned up the front face where the drive flange bolts to as well as both disc faces. Machining cast iron is pretty messy so I covered the lathe bed with some old t-shirts, as the dust is also an abrasive and not good for the lathe bed/ways.
I was quite happy with the result, even with a few fingerprint smudges.
After a liberal coat of lanolin to stop any rust forming, I bolted the drive flanges to the discs and stored them away. The lanolin of course will be cleaned off when the brakes are fitted to the car.
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