Morris Minor Owners Club

Entirely your choice. I was only relating my past experience with brake linings and disc pads.

Had you mentioned consideration had already been given to this aspect, I would not have felt it necessary to make my posting.

Only trying to help/set the records straight - many don’t have a clue of the ramifications of fitting non-original parts to vehicles.

Another question might be whether the drums are in good condition (within specification) - like whether they might have been skimmed to a greater diameter by the previous owner.

Thank you for taking the trouble to post your thoughts/suggestions based on your own experience - despite the impression I may have inadvertently given in my response, I do appreciate your input and I was certainly unaware that there may have been a change in the composition of braking materials as a direct consequence of the generalised introduction of servos as you suggest.

Two points
1. I had Riley 1.5 brakes fitted to my Minor at one time and never had any problems as regards stopping or requiring a heavier pedal. My Minor was not fitted with a servo.

2. When you are asking about re-lining do you ask about both processes i.e. riveting & bonding?

Yes Phil, it was as a direct result of your very positive comments about Riley 1.5 brakes and, indeed, your link to a set for sale on eBay that persuaded me to go down that route. As far as asking about the pros and cons of rivetting or bonding is concerned I'm afraid my enquiries didn't get that far as the firms I approached didn't bother to respond (I merely asked if they were able to re-line brake shoes with Mintex linings).

What are the specifics of the wheel and master cylinders?

It really shouldn't be necessary to fit a servo to the brakes on a Morris Minor. I have fitted the brakes from a Wolseley 1500 to two of my Minors over the years and found that they made a big improvement so I'm surprised if you haven't. Maybe, as you say, you have poor performing linings. Have you tried "Past parts" in Bury St Edmunds or "Powertrack" in Slough? Both of these companies have help me with brake parts in the past. I have also sometimes seen new/old stock brake shoes on ebay and similar which can be a good buy.

ManyMinors
Thanks for the recommendations for Past Parts and Powertrack.
The pastparts web sites seem to be down for whatever reason.
https://www.pastparts.co.uk/

https://www.powertrackbrakes.co.uk/

Oh well. Maybe they are overseen by the same organisation as this forum (No disrespect at all to Mike and Simon). As far as I know the company still exists. I must admit that I often find it is better to simply telephone a business. Many small businesses (especially in the classic car world) aren't very up to date with technology and you get a better/faster response that way sometimes. There must be somebody who can reline brake shoes to a decent standard mustn't there?

Thanks for your suggestions ManyMinors; I've emailed Powertrack as a first step to see if they offer a re-lining service. Depending on their response, I'll then check out Past Parts.

Try Saftek in Telford for relinIng , they specialise in vintage cars etc.

Thanks for the tip - I'll contact them now.

Are the backing plates on the correct sides such that both shoes are leading? How are the brakes in reverse?

Now there's a possibility I hadn't considered! Here's a photo of one of them before fitting (and before clean-up, re-painting and fitting the new shoes, I might add) - I suppose it's possible that I could have fitted them on the wrong sides of the car thus ending up with trailing shoes rather than leading shoes. I'll certainly whip a wheel off and have a look. It's certainly food for thought. Thank you.

The brake back plate assy shown in the above photo should be fitted to the N/S - when the wheel is rotating and the brake applied the rotation of the brake drum assists in applying pressure to the shoe/linings.
If the back plate assy shown in the above photo was fitted to the O/S - when the wheel is rotating and the brake applied the rotation of the brake drum assists is reducing pressure to the shoe/linings.
It is important that the brake are fitted to the correct side of the vehicle.

Well, I've had a drum off to check and they're on the correct sides; I was pretty sure I'd borne that in mind when fitting them but jaekl's suggestion certainly prompted me to make absolutely certain. So, we seem to be back to the quality of the shoes and my quest to source some Mintex ones. Although Powertrack did confirm that they offer a re-lining service, when I asked if they supply Mintex they appeared to lose interest and haven't replied. Anyone know of a re-lining outfit that definitely do offer Mintex?

PS - It seems that I owe Powertrack an apology as they've now replied, saying that there are poor quality, Chinese made shoes on the market at present (probably including the ones I've fitted!) but they offer Ferodo bonded linings which, they say are made in Britain and of the correct grade. Any experience of these? As good as Mintex? One problem will be the cost - £105!

Ferodo brakes especially those made in Britain are good.
Unfortunately good costs money

I suppose any good quality "one off" is going to be moderately expensive.

Yes, of course you're right Phil - bullet-biting time I think.