Triumph MAYFLOWER 1951, Instruction Book

Page: 54 / 86

53
RUNNING ADJUSTMENTS— Brakes
The pedal operates the brakes on all four wheels hydraulically, whilst the handbrake
control operates the brakes on the rear wheels, by means of cable and rods.
It must be remembered that the presence of oil, grease or similar foreign matter on a brake
shoe will seriously affect the coefficient of friction and in consequence the retarding effect
of that particular brake, in spite of the fact that it is being applied with the same force as
the others. In such cases, the brake drum should be thoroughly cleaned with fuel and the
brake shoes replaced by new replacement shoes. Cleaning the brake shoe is not
satisfactory.
See page 27 for checking level of fluid in reservoir. If it is found to be particularly low it is
an indication that a leak has developed somewhere in the system and it should be traced
and rectified without delay.
Do not reline the shoes, but fit genuine Lockheed replacement shoes. These shoes have the
right type of lining machined to the correct radii.
Should the shoes be removed, care must be exercised to ensure that the pull-off springs are
located behind the shoes and hooked through the correct holes as shown in Figs. 32 and
33.
Adjustment of Brake Shoes
After a considerable mileage it may be found necessary to adjust the brakes. This is
evident when the brake pedal has to be depressed to within 1" of the floor before the
brakes operate. There are TWO adjusters to each front wheel and ONE to each rear
wheel (see Figs. 32 and 33).
The following procedure should be followed to correctly adjust the brakes.
1. Apply the brakes hard with the car stationary, to position the shoes in the
drum.
2. Jack up the car and remove the nave plates and the road wheel.
3. Rotate brake drum until hole provided coincides with screwdriver slot in
micram adjuster.
4. Insert a screwdriver and turn the adjuster clockwise until the shoe contacts the
brake drum, then turn the adjuster back one notch. There is a consistent drag