So, as you guys know I've been working 73 1000, and next up is the brakes.

I currently had drums on the front and back, on 10" rims. The problem I am having is when I press down on the brakes when driving there is very little to no brake pressure......but once I let go the brakes, and pump them one more time.....it grabs like crazy. It just needs one pump and thats it to essentially lock up the brakes.

What would cause this? The master cylinder? It seems like the brake cylinders themselves are decent (as in they arent leaking), brake fluid is completely full, lines look good......

Any pointers?

 

Air in the brake lines?

 

Drum braked Minis are extremely sensitive to shoe adjustment. Start there. Adjust your shoes out fully, then lightly back off. The drums should spin 1/2-3/4 turn. Make sure the adjusters are moved out evenly (2 on each front, one on each rear). Make sure the rears are adjusted properly as well as the emergency brake lever. The lever should stop at 3-4 clicks off the floor. This is important, don't ignore it.

Make sure your drums have not been turned out too far creating too much travel for the system to take up. There is a max diameter, and its not hard to exceed it.

Make sure your shoes have enough lining left. Shoes are cheap.

After a good adjust, check again. If you press the pedal and it gradually sinks with constant pressure on it - you have a bad cylinder somewhere. If you press the pedal and it is low, then on second press is high & firm - it is adjustment/drums.

 

Also, if you have the original rubber brake hoses on the car, replace them all as they can expand and you will lose all braking force.

 

Huh. I didn't know that. That'll probably fix my problem with my brakes. LOL

 

drain out old fluid as this breaks down over time and flush with new dot4 and then bleed in this order L/H rear first, R/H rear, L/H front, then, R/H front.........this will remove all the air in lines............good luck.........

 

Drum braked Minis need adjustment frequently to keep them at top of their performance.

 

Oh ok.

 

Well, sounds like a brake bleeding pump and a day in the garage is in the works!