Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Maintenance & Servicing Sticky Disc Brakes??????

Guys, it's OK for you lot living in civilisation. What about we poor b*ggers in the colonies?

I live half way up a farm track and if I take mine out after I've washed it then this just means I have to wash it again!

On a serious note though, Frank, I would stop throwing the water over it. One trick which has worked for me is to use a small domestic 'blow' ie fan, heater- no more than 1 KW or so and just let the air direct on the wheel for a couple of minutes. It's a bit of a fiddle but cheap and cheerful and it works

Regards

And here comes the overkill:
When I really attend to the detail, I take the wheels off and wash&wax them separately. Gives me the chance to look at the condition of the brakes, pads and so on. It doesn´t hurt to clean the inside of the wheel, too. Steering gaiters and all these rubber parts need to be inspected from time to time. The Morgan also benefits from a shot of grease at the front axle which is much easier with the wheels off.
Finally, I also hesitate to use wheel cleaner, which usually contains acids, while the wheel is on the car. I can´t imagine that this does any good to the brakes and the wheel arch area. This is especially true for the Lotus which has lots of aluminium there.
You may call me a pedant.
Andy.

Why not drive the car after you wash it & use the brakes to drive off the moisture.

If the disks rust due to moisture what else does?

John,
Several things in my experience, including:

1. The worst- galvanised chassis in the world. OK I know that'a a little unfair because as soon as any galvanised surface has to have holes drilled in it- which of course has to happen here because of the bits that are hung off it- the whole concept of the galvanise- protection goes out the window If my car was a nail and I was restoring it, I'd have it shot -blasted and powder coated but I fully accept that this is just not a viable economic option given the build cost/ selling price ratio to which the Factory must work

2. The front springs themselves if there are any areas where grease has not reached by overflow from the process of greasing the kingpins

I take very much the same approach as Andy- wheels off, up on axle stands and have a good session on all these bits. A great way to while away an afternoon. Sad really!

Regards

I have always been in the habit of putting my brakes through a mini heat cycle after washing especially if laying the car up for the winter in which case I tend to repeat this on the next dry day.

Roll on the widespread use of ceramic brakes - no corrosion or brake dust ! First brake application after washing can be interesting to say the least - a bit like walking on a wet ceramic bathroom floor in bare feet

Robert

....and the neighbours got even more jealous!