Got the passenger hub off and decided to - for some reason to check the wheel cylinders - frozen solid One had a lot of grit in it the the other has a rusty ridge - one of the pipe connector screws broke off trying to unscrew it - so I gues it's new wheel cylinders - should I go genuine or OEM = $6 per cylinder difference so not a big deal. Would there be a marked difference in quality? (twin leading shoes - 15/16" bore)

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David L


My greatest fear in life is that when I die my wife will sell my Mini and tools for the price I told her I paid for them!

I would have expected new wheel cylinders in a big thorough rebuild anyway.

You could always get yours rebuilt with stainless sleeves. But I would go with the best quality replacements.

Don't forget to do all the rubber hoses too.

Has new rubber hoses - I remember re furbing the rear cylinders - don't think I did the fonts when I looked at them when I first got the car - it had new back plates, springs and cylinders looked new at the time - I just added new pads , machined the drums. But I guess sitting for 9 years doesn't help.

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David L


My greatest fear in life is that when I die my wife will sell my Mini and tools for the price I told her I paid for them!

Doc gave some good advice a while back, try packing the outer rubber boots with a little rubber grease when the cylinders are new. It's the corrosion which forms here when the breaks are unused that seizes or or causes leaks with the cylinders when the the brakes pistons try to operate over the exposed surface.

I'm not sure how long the rubber grease will remain in place and continue to protect the exposed surfaces, but its better than a poke in the eye I say and I've been doing this since. In the past my minis have had to sit for long periods while I'm away with work, and it seems to have worked really well.

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

as I'm putting a 998 engine in to Marcia now I'm also going drums on the front also. I have to rebuild from scratch as I gave my old parts away as I didn't think I'd needed them again
I aquired a pair of 1" wheel clinders so the other side will get the same every thing will be new from thier also. Ill do a how to
Check the adjusters while your at it David

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Stop Licking the Dog...I Don't Care Who Started It