Hi!

I have a 1974 mini and I recently changed the front brakes for the 4-spoke type from a Metro.

My main problem is that I bleed the brakes and it works fine for a day. After that I have to bleed the brakes again. I already changed the sealants in the master cylinder, but I think that since it's the small one it doesn't have the volume of hydraulic fluid needed.

I don't know. Need help.

If I’m right what type of Master cylinder should I use?

If you mean the four pot metro brakes i'd suggest getting a metro master cylinder.

It would also mean re-doing the brake lines as i think the 74 mini doesn't run full split circuit (trying to remember what my 73 mini did).

Whats the problem with the drum brakes anyway? They used to work perfectly well for me (once i'd figured out that when adjusting them, you need to leave a little give otherwise you can't stop - boy did that garage door get close when testing!)

If you have a single circuit brake cylinder you will need to upgrade. Details here:
http://www.minimania.com/web/SCatagory/BRAKES/DisplayType/Technical%20Information/DisplayID/609/ArticleV.cfm

If retaining single circuit () you need a cooper S cylinder which probably costs the earth these days if you can find one. The dual circuit master cylinder from a post 84 non servo mini is a safer and probably cheaper choice but will require a little more plumbing as MikeR points out.

Some other good info here http://www.minispares.com/Article.aspx?aid=121
but nothing about the master cylinder.

I'm a long way from my mini books until the weekend, but I'm sure there is something about this in 'how to modify your mini' by David Vizard. I'll check when I get back home if no-one else pops up with a definitive answer.

Having been a near victim of mini drums (sailed across a crossroads with cars passing both sides as I went through!) I'd certainly agree with a disk upgrade, but standard 7.5 or 8.4 disks would have been fine (or even a Fiesta conversion if you want a cheap way to upgrade and retain 10" wheels).

I forgot to say I've 1380cc installed, so after 2 "near death incidents", I decided to upgrade the brakes.

I will take a look at the threads. Thanks!

There used to be a set of braided flexi pipes available to convert the dual circuit Metro calipers into a single circuit type. Mabye still available from someone like Minispares, they were nothing more than a single long pipe & a small link pipe that lopped round into the second port on the caliper.
If the master cylinder is the original from 1974 then it'll be single circuit I think & as said you'll be better off with a later dual circuit one, you could pipe the whole lot up like the Metro or keep it a bit simpler & get the conversion pipes.

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Originally posted by MikeR
Whats the problem with the drum brakes anyway? They used to work perfectly well for me (once i'd figured out that when adjusting them, you need to leave a little give otherwise you can't stop - boy did that garage door get close when testing!)

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My daughter has a '77 mini and it has a similar problem with the brakes (still with drums on though). I haven't sorted it yet but I suspect it might be the brake light switch which is causing the problem as the lights only come on if the brake pedal is pressed really hard so I suspect that there is some air gathering there. Got to change the switch some point soon to find out if this is the case.

The Cooper S master cylinder is a good idea if using 4 pot calipers due to its higher capacity and it actually sin't that much more expensive than a standard one from Minispares.

You have to join the two sides of the caliper together with a link pipe, that was all that was needed in the olden days.

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Originally posted by MikeRJ

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Originally posted by MikeR
Whats the problem with the drum brakes anyway? They used to work perfectly well for me (once i'd figured out that when adjusting them, you need to leave a little give otherwise you can't stop - boy did that garage door get close when testing!)

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You must have had the only decent set of drum brakes ever fitted to a mini! To be fair, if adjusted properly (an almost weekly task) they worked very well at low speeds, or from one stop from higher speeds, but even an 850cc mini driven enthusiasticly could fade them into uselessness.

I'm a great beliver in drums on rear axles as I like a decent handbrake, but a front disk conversion for a tuned mini is a priority! Even Cooper S disks are a bit marginal for a really quick mini.

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