Sunbeam ALPINE I SERIES: APLINE II SERIES, Workshop Manual

Page: 261 / 413

8th
re-issue
Pagel
WSM.124
Section K (Brakes)
BRAKES-ALPINE
GENERAL
Girling type disc brakes are fitted to the front
wheels and Girling drum brakes to the rear
wheels. All four brakes are hydraulically operated
pressure being generated In the master cylinder by
application of the brake foot pedal. The handbrake
operates the rear brakes by an independent
mechanical linkage.
MAINTENANCE
The brake linings should be examined for wear at
regular Intervals. The front brake friction pads
must be renewed when the friction material has
worn down to a minimum of
n
In. (1 ·59 mm) In
thickness. (See under "Brake Pads-to remove
and refit").
Brake adjustments
The front brakes are self adjusting; the rear brakes
should be adjusted as follows:-
Chock up one of the front wheels to prevent
the car from rolling, release the handbrake, and
jack up one rear wheel.
Turn the adjuster situated at the rear of the
backplate (arrowed In Fig. I), In a clockwise
direction until solid resistance is felt.
Slacken back the adjuster until the drum Is able
to rotate (usually two clicks). A slight drag
may be felt from the trailing shoe but this
should not be sufficient to prevent the wheel
from being turned by hand.
Spin the wheel and apply the brakes hard to
centralise the shoes in the drum and re-check
adjustment.
Repeat for other rear wheel.
Normally adjustment of the rear brakes will auto­
matically adjust the handbrake. When the hand­
brake Is correctly adjusted there Is four to six
notches of handbrake movement·before the wheels
are locked. If with the rear brakes In correct
adjustment, there Is excessive handbrake free travel,
the handbrake should be adjusted as follows:-
Chock up one of the front wheels, release the
handbrake and jack up both rear wheels.
Lock the shoes by means of the adjusters
(arrowed In Fig. I).
Take up the slack in the linkage at the compen­
sator situated beneath the rear axle, (see Fig.
I), by slackening off the locking nut, removing
the jaw pin, and screwing In the jaw as necessary.
Re-adjust brakes as previously described.
A lubricator is· provided on the handbrake cable,
on Serles I and II Models.
On the Alpine II and Ill there is provision for
relocating the master cylinder push-rod In another
position on the brake pedal. This in effect moves
the pedal pad approximately I½ In. (4cm) further
away from the driver. The inset of Fig. 2, Section
D shows a similar arrangement on the clutch pedal
Fl1,
I.
Rear brake adjuster and handbrake compensator linkaie
on Series
I to II Models.
Brake fluid level
The fluid level In the master cylinder reservoir
should be checked at regular Intervals and should
be kept within½ in. (12 mm) of the filler cap orifice
Never fill completely since the expansion of fluid
In hot we:ither may cause the brakes to build up
and the shoes to bind.
• Before removing the filler cap to top up, clean the
area around the filler cap to prevent dirt entering
the reservoir. Ensure that the air vent In the filler
cap Is not choked; blockage at this point could
cause the brakes to drag.