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TD Operation Manual - Hydraulic and Parking Brake Maintenance

This section covers the front and rear hydraulic brake replacement and adjustement. It also covers adjusting the parking brake and explains the front and rear suspension.

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THE HYDRAULIC BRAKES

Brake Shoe Assembly   •   Hydraulic System

Replenishing Brake Fluid

Braking System

The brakes are of the Lockheed, hydraulic type, providing automatic compensation and incorporating two leading shoes on each front wheel. The rear brakes are fitted with one leading shoe and one trailing shoe on each wheel to provide adequate braking in reverse. They are actuated by a master cylinder which is situated immediately behind the foot brake pedal.

Hydraulic System

Pressure on the brake pedal is conveyed to fluid contained within the master cylinder and equally distributed through the system by special pipe lines to each individual brake-shoe.
The rear brake-shoes are in addition operated mechanically by the hand brake lever and require no separate adjustment.
Need for brake adjustment is indicated by excessive travel of the brake pedal.

Topping Up with Fluid

Every 1,000 miles (1600 km.) the fluid level must be checked by turning back the front floor carpet on the driver's side and moving the small inspection plate. Undo the filler plug. The fluid level should be ½ in. below the bottom of the filler neck, and must never be above this. Use only Lockheed Orange Brake Fluid (Lockheed No.5 overseas). This is important.

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THE HYDRAULIC BRAKES

Brake Adjustments

Front Shoe   •   Rear Shoe

Brake Adjustments

These are required when excessive travel of the brake pedal takes place on application. Placing suitable blocks beneath the wheels remaining in contact with the ground, use the special jack provided in the tool kit to raise each wheel of the car in turn.
The front brakes. Remove the front hub cap and road wheel and rotate the brake-drum until one of the adjustment screws is visible through one of the holes provided in the side of the brake-drum. With a screwdriver turn the screw as far as it will go in a clockwise direction until the drum is locked solid, then turn the screw anti-clockwise one notch only. The brake-drum should then be free to rotate without the shoes rubbing. Turn the drum until the adjustment screw diametrically opposite is visible and carry out the same procedure on this. The brake-shoes on this wheel are now fully adjusted. The brake-shoes on the other front wheel must be adjusted by the same method.

The rear brakes. The procedure is similar to that detailed for the front brakes, except that there is only one adjuster, which controls both brake-shoes. It is essential that the hand brake should be fully released while the rear brake-shoes are being adjusted. Adjustment of the rear brake-shoes automatically adjusts the hand brake mechanism and no separate adjustment is required. (See note on page 35 re Hand Brake Adjustment.)

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HAND BRAKE AND SUSPENSION

Hand Brake Adjustment   •   Independant

Front Suspension   •   Rear Suspension

Hand Brake Adjustment

The hand brake operates on the rear brake-shoes and is automatically adjusted when hydraulic brake adjustment is made.
On no account must any attempt be made to adjust the hand brake cables themselves, as this will interfere with the hydraulic brakes.
The ratchet only comes into operation when the press button on the end of the lever is depressed and is automatically released when the brake lever is pulled upwards.

Independant Front
   Suspension

The M.G. independent front suspension gives perfect stability and a high standard of riding comfort in combination with the direct acting rack and pinion steering gear it also provides light and accurate control.
Springing is by means of large coil springs interposed between the lower wishbone structure and the frame.

Rear Suspension

The flexible laminated rear springs are mounted on rubber bushes, obviating the need for lubrication. To ensure maximum stability the axle movement is controlled by hydraulic dampers.
The rear spring U bolts should be examined every 6,000 miles (10000 km.) and tightened if necessary.

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