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Articles search results for brake master

Showing 1 to 20 of 20 articles
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ORIGINAL SPECIFICATION MINI BRAKE AND CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDERS

These Brake and Clutch Master Cylinders are manufactured to OEM specification

GMC171 Original Brake Master Cylinder Mini

GMC172 Brake Master Cylinder Mini Cooper S

AAU4969 Clutch Master Cylinder

These Brake and Clutch Master Cylinders are manufactured to OEM specification Part Number and as such are homologated for use on original specification vehicles using DOT 4 or DOT 5 Hydraulic Fluid as specified...

Brakes - How They Work

This time we’re going to look at just how brakes do what they do, and ways to improve them. Without a doubt the most important point to get sorted at the outset is just what makes brakes do their thing - FRICTION. The sole purpose of the brake set-up on any vehicle .....

Brakes - Fundamental Considerations

When looking to increase their cars performance, most folks immediately turn to considering higher engine power outputs. Because of this pre-occupation brakes tend to slide down the improvements priority list. However, they are far more important - being able to accelerate at warp speed to hyper-space in the twinkling of an eye is all very well, but disastrous if you can’t stop. You will make a very big hole in the scenery, and possibly end up wearing an wooden over-coat. Getting the braking system sorted out can help to make the car quicker, as you will be able to more confidently, therefore maximising speed in any given situation. Being one of those ‘sciences’ used in the automotive industry I hope to shed some light on the subject as it's another of those where many questions from confused and mislead folks that clog up my e-mail board. The advent of the Metro, and the brakes used on it has spawned a lot of activity in this direction. It was soon discovered that they could b

Brakes - Pipe End Flares

One day I'm going to have to try and assess just how it is that every now and again I get a 'run' on folks asking me about a specific problem. These problems exist all year round, year in, year out. And said problems crop up throughout the year. But - every now and then there's a blood-rush on a certain issue. Just recently that issue has been brake pipe ends. The bit that seals the pipe off against it's relevant fitting. There are two types of end - male and female. The male end is convex in shape, the female concave. The male end is used where a male pipe union (nut) is used on the brake pipe - that's a nut with an external thread - that will be screwed into a female fitting such as found in a wheel cylinder or master cylinder. The female end is used where a female pipe union (nut) is used on the brake pipe - a nut with an internal thread - and will be mated to a male fitting such as found on rear flexible brake pipes. Under no circumstances should you mix the too up as the brake p

Brakes - Rear brake bias adjustment

When altering the front brake set-up away from the standard installation, it invariably alters the amount of rear brake bias needed to re-balance the cars brake balance.

The problems start occurring when folk graft alternative brake set-ups onto the front of their Minis. Be this 7.5" discs onto a previously drum-braked model, or going from current standard disc set-ups to one of the 4-pot varieties. The question then is 'what bore size rear wheel-cylinders do I need?' Unfortunately this isn't straightforward. Actually, that's not strictly true - more on this later. The pressure developed in the lines determines brake effectiveness - aside from disc size, pad type, co-efficient of friction, etc. that is. Understanding this may assist in choosing which way you should go for your particular set-up.

The basic facts you need to remember when dealing with brake pressures is how they are affected by the components you use.

Brakes - Split brake systems and adjustable bias valves

You can only use the MS72 adjustable brake regulator/bias valve with a front/rear split system. Definitely NOT the diagonal split type (for identification see 'Brakes - Rear brake bias adjustment'). These should have been 'X-ed' at birth. Makes the car handle very interestingly when the system only operates the diagonally opposed brakes. Scary stuff. Almost as much fun as when the rears only work on a front/rear split set-up - particularly as the PDWA is built into the master cylinder, and it still has to go through the FAM7821 pressure regulator valve! Damn near no braking on the rear. Either way - split system brakes are grossly inefficient when only using half the system as they are designed to do when a failure in the other half occurs. Quite frightening. To install the MS72 into a front/rear split system, it needs fitting into the rear feed line. Determining which this is can prove difficult if the system has already been tampered with or new replacement components fitted. Nam

Fitting instructions for Remote Vacuum Servo Units Types 6 and 7

General fitting instructions

To ensure correct installation of the AP Braking remote vacuum servo unit, thoroughly read and adhere to the fitting instructions prior to carrying out any work on the vehicle. Introduction The vacuum servo unit is incorporated into the hydraulic braking system, remote from the master cylinder, as an intermediate stage operating between the master cylinder and the brake assemblies. The two main parts of the servo unit consist of the vacuum servo mechanism and the hydraulic slave cylinder assembly.

These component parts are bolted together so that the slave cylinder piston is in line with, and is operated by, the servo push rod. A plastic no-return valve is fitted into the vacuum shell and an integral air cleaner is incorporated to prevent foreign matter entering the air control valve chamber. The servo unit is designed to give no assistance with very light brake application. In the absence of servo assistance due to loss of vacuum, an unres...

Broken Engine Steady?

Every Mini owner at some point will have an issue with a broken bolt or a stripped thread, due to the fine thread on the majority of bolts fitted to these cars. Whilst most are an easy repair, such as bumper bolts, others can be a lot more difficult to repair.

An ideal example of this is the bolt for the ....

Mini Production dates

We have tried to get together as complete list as possible to show all the models made from 1985 onwards, hopefully this will help identify those cars that have been modified over the years. If you have any information that you know is correct or anything that you think is not right please let us know.

A Star is Born

Team Bailey with Mini Spares has had a very busy winter as you may know from some of the previous blogs I have written, and the run up to the first race at Castle Combe was to be no exception.

Besides all the car building I have taken on a new unit at the Snetterton race track in Norfolk to start the Snetterton Speed Shop as well as this being the new home for Team Bailey racing. Since October last year I have built up 2 new cars for myself a Mighty car 2 and a Super car 4 as well as my 2 team mates new cars a Mighty for Justin Cooper and a Super for Chris Slade.

Historical Article - Nov 1992 - Little Red Booster 2

A strange choice, you might think, for inclusion in Mini Tech News but, surprisingly the GTM has more Mini parts on it than the Elf! (because the Elf is nearly all space frame).

Historical Article - Nov 1992 - Little Red Booster 2

A strange choice, you might think, for inclusion in Mini Tech News but, surprisingly the GTM has more Mini parts on it than the Elf! (because the Elf is nearly all space frame).

Historical Article - Nov 1992 - Plaquette De Freins - Brake Pads

Minitech Magazine Header 1992

“PLAQUETTES DE FREINS” (BRAKE PADS)


One commonly asked question is in reference to brake pad types best to use, expected lift and characteristics etc.  Especially in reference to race applications, so I shall try and outline the pad types we keep and their “essentials”.
With all things there is always a compromising area, and brake pads are no exception.  Main usage or priority should be the deciding factor, the shortcomings at either end of the spectrum should be tolerated and given due consideration. 
A major part of braking done on road cars is around town, or short distance, multi stops.  The next is braking from cruising speeds, be it when encountering traffic build up, or slowing on off ramps.  The brakes are rarely used in severe and continuo...

Historical Article - Nov 1992 - Plaquette De Freins - Brake Pads

Minitech Magazine Header 1992

“PLAQUETTES DE FREINS” (BRAKE PADS)


One commonly asked question is in reference to brake pad types best to use, expected lift and characteristics etc.  Especially in reference to race applications, so I shall try and outline the pad types we keep and their “essentials”.
With all things there is always a compromising area, and brake pads are no exception.  Main usage or priority should be the deciding factor, the shortcomings at either end of the spectrum should be tolerated and given due consideration. 
A major part of braking done on road cars is around town, or short distance, multi stops.  The next is braking from cruising speeds, be it when encountering traffic build up, or slowing on off ramps.  The brakes are rarely used in severe and continuo...

Historical Article-August 1994-8-Port Power

8-Port Power The Arden 8-port cylinder head was designed over 25 years ago, yet it remains one of the most powerful and effective heads available for the Mini A-Series engine today. Designed with racing in mind, the alloy Arden 8-port head was conceived by Jim Whitehouse in 1966/67 to take full advantage of a change in Group 2 regulations, which allowed more freedom in cylinder head design.

Historical Article-August 1994-8-Port Power

8-Port Power The Arden 8-port cylinder head was designed over 25 years ago, yet it remains one of the most powerful and effective heads available for the Mini A-Series engine today. Designed with racing in mind, the alloy Arden 8-port head was conceived by Jim Whitehouse in 1966/67 to take full advantage of a change in Group 2 regulations, which allowed more freedom in cylinder head design.

Historical Article-August 1994-Steady Eddy

Steady Eddy My first visit to Mini Spares must have been over 12 years ago and while buying the usual go faster bits, I enquired about a Saturday job. A very lean and handsome Keith Calver could only offer me full time employment. I declined and subsequently have spent a small fortune over the years and drunk far too many pints of beer with K.C.

Historical Article-August 1994-Steady Eddy

Steady Eddy My first visit to Mini Spares must have been over 12 years ago and while buying the usual go faster bits, I enquired about a Saturday job. A very lean and handsome Keith Calver could only offer me full time employment. I declined and subsequently have spent a small fortune over the years and drunk far too many pints of beer with K.C.

Historical Article-February 1995-Nervous Breakdown

Nervous Breakdown Sometime ago in an issue long, long ago in a Calver's Clinic, I did a short piece on vented or grooved discs, with a promise to look at brakes a little closer at a later date.

Historical Article-February 1995-Nervous Breakdown

Nervous Breakdown Sometime ago in an issue long, long ago in a Calver's Clinic, I did a short piece on vented or grooved discs, with a promise to look at brakes a little closer at a later date.
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