Troubleshooting with Steve Rothwell

FORD ANGLIA BINDING BRAKE PROBLEM

Q I have a 1962 Ford Anglia (105E) which is suffering from an intermittent problem with a binding front brake. I have ensuredthat the brakes are adjusted correctly and the wheel cylinders have been replaced, but on occasions I can feel a slight pull on the brakes, and when I check, the nearside wheel is hot compared to the offside. This I believe is due to the sticking brakes, yet when I strip off the front brake drums, the wheel cylinders are all free and move smoothly. Have you any clue as to what the problem may be?

Dean Palmer

A As the wheel cylinders are new and you have double checked that this is not the cause of the problem, and as you mention that this problem does only affect the one wheel, then I would suggest that the most likely culprit is going to be the brake hose. It is quite common for the brake hose to perish internally, and this then allows a section of the hose’s interior lining to tear away and act like a small one-way valve within the hose. After braking, the pressure applied to the wheel cylinders is then not instantly released, but instead is trapped by the internal failure of the brake hose. By the time you get to check out the brakes, the pressure has once again been released and so the problem is not easily detectable.

I would recommend the brake hoses should be replaced as a matter of course, to ensure that this is not the cause of your problem.

HILLMAN SUPER MINX STARTER TROUBLE

I have a reoccurring problem with the starter on my 1962 Super Minx. The problem will begin with the starter either hanging in