Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Maintenance & Servicing Front brakes; 1990 Plus 4

My front brakes bind. I can release them temporarily by taking the pads out and moving the pistons in and out but since the car is only used about once a month this does not last.

I can't find a source of replacement Girling calipers. Any thoughts?

I can get seals, pistons etc to overhaul the calipers. Any tips from those who have done this would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

If they are not seized or very sticky you may not get much improvement, just worried you go to all this cost and effort and be back where you started. Are the pads free in the calipers? a lot of people don't clean the pad land area (where they slide and also do not remove the paint from the sides of the metal pad backing material (it soon wears off but can gunk up the area. Best to just file the paint off and coat the sides and back of the metal with Coppaslip or similar. If the pads are free the pistons should not creep. The only other thing I have seen done with storage vehicles is to tie the brake pedal up to the steering wheel but again if the pedal return spring is in good order logic says that does nothing?

I had just the calipers of my 4/4/4seater from 1990 replaced by 4 piston calipers.
Maybe my agent Klaas Booij in Koog a/d Zaan in Holland still has the old ones and is willing to send them to you?

Try http://www.powertrackbrakes.co.uk/ they will be able to help....

Another one to try- www.pastparts.co.uk Gerry.

It depends upon your location but it might be worth a conversation with Kevin Vernon at Tudor Motors. I think that he keeps a few reconditioned calipers in stock and even if he doesn't have the correct ones for your car he may be able to get yours reworked.

I have experienced brake binding on an MGA in the past which was caused by deterioration in the brake hoses restricting flow back to the master cylinder. Just a thought.

If you are confident in mechanics - take spanner juggler's advice. It is more likely to be that the pads need removing and the locating surfaces given a good scrub out and clean, particularly if the pistons are free moving. Or, if the calipers, etc haven't been overhauled since new, unbolt from the axle, dismantle, clean and replace the seals and dust covers. The latter are thin rubber and delicate, over time splits can occur and damp will get into the piston bores causing stickiness and corrosion.
I have both my calipers stripped at the moment and all they have needed was a thorough clean and replacement of seals/dust covers. Under no circumstances split the caliper halves by undoing the bolts holding them together, this is a definite NO.
Exchange calipers are available at a price but will offer no more than I have suggested above.
All the best

simon
'79 Plus 8

I would either strip the calipers and replace the piston seals and dust covers or and much easier put on recon calipers.

eddie

Had the same problem with my MGB, replaced the hoses which were 25 yrs old and the problem fixed. Old hoses tend to expand when brakes are applied,when brakes are released hose collapses and brakes are still binding. Hope this heps.
Dave.