Moss Motors, Ltd

I have inherited my grandmother's '68 Estate/Traveller.  Great little car - but she has given me one or two heart stoppiing moments when I have needed to stand on the brakes.  The response I got was by no means indicative of the pressure on the pedal!

Is it possible to modernise these brakes?  I know the Coopers came out with front discs and servo assistance.  Can this not be applied to all Minis?  Or something better even.  I do not expect it to have brakes like my Merc, but I would like to feel more confident in high traffic situations.

 Not sure if it makes a difference but the car is fitted with 13" Minilite replica type rims.

Darrel, is your car one of those woody Mini's? How cutie! Well, you probraly know by now that early british cars don't have the best brakes.Im not sure what Brake Master clyinder you have on your Mini but you will want to go with a duel line MC. If you check out www.minimania.com they sale parts for your Mini and Im sure the have updates for your brakes, In the mean time you might want to have your brakes checked out if you are going to do any driving remember safety first. Good luck with your Mini!

Hi James. Thanks for the advice.  Not a woodie - standard metal allround   I will check the dual lines MC out. I know ther is also a disk conversion for the front you can do.

Hi Darrel

The notorious Mini brake problem…lol yes they are indeed heart stoppingly bad. Drums all round was never a good combination as far as I am concerned. There are many ways to improve on the braking system but by far the best option has already been mentioned! Fitting disc’s is the way to do it… you can fit the whole assembly from any later car fitted with discs but remember if you take them from a wrecker or any thing else for that matter make sure you get the drive shafts as well! There are only a few components that anchor them to the car…top and bottom swivel pins and the track rod end and the hose! Pop out the drive shaft from the gear box (or do I have to say tranny?) and that’s it. S brakes if you want to fit 10” wheels = 7.5” disc all other models are 8.4” disc for 12” wheels or bigger. You can buy them new but it works out expensive. I have 4 pot vented fitted to my own car but it is a bit over kill

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Oz Cooper
Classic Mini Guru UK

Hi Oz

Thanks for the feedback. I assume if I buy new I need to buy new driveshafts and discs? I already have 13" wheels fitted, so would go for the 8.4" disc.  What are your thoughts on the dual line master cylinder? - I assume that would also need mods to split the front and rear circuits?

PS: I am a gearbox kinda person

If you buy new yes you need quite a bit master cylinder drive shafts hubs discs pads calipers the whole hog that's why it gets expensive!

A good used set would be my choice the buy new discs and pads (or should I say rotors?) I am getting better at the US lingo now.

Also you would need to put a compensator on if you going dual line! this is fitted on the bulkhead just under the master cylinder... the reason this is fitter is to stop the rear wheels locking up... it's a bit like a presure regulator. The only other mods would be pipe work. Hope this helps

Regards

Oz

 

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Oz Cooper
Classic Mini Guru UK

Thanks Oz.

You need not worry about the Americanisms.  I am from South Africa so am more familiar with the "correct" English.  It is very difficult to find wrecked Minis in SA.  Also, production was stopped here some time before the discs in discussion were available in SA.  You are quite correct though - looking at around 700GBP to buy what I need!

I just found my brake set up in a box of bits I was sorting out ready to go back on the car after the paints done... 7.5" with a twist 4 pot vented I love 10" wheel but I do like to stop!

 

  

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Oz Cooper
Classic Mini Guru UK

Thanks!  Some serious stopping power there!