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What you will need
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- Austin/Morris Mini brake limiting valve.
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Metal or plastic machine knob with either 10mm or
3/8" thread.
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Matching
jam nut.
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Small washer.
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3/8" UNF bleed screw.
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The main component of the bias valve is the
cast brass pressure-limiting valve from a 1961-1976 Austin/Morris/Leyland
Mini. Due to the Mini's popularity, these items are still available new. An
even cheaper solution is to pull one off an old Mini at the local wrecker's
yard. You'll find it bolted to the front section of the rear sub-frame.
The original purpose of this gadget is to limit the pressure in the rear
brake lines to prevent the Mini's rear wheels from locking up under heavy
braking.
There are three line orifices in the valve body; the front one is the inlet
from the master cylinder, and the two side ones are the outlets to the rear
brake drums.
Note: The flare on the inlet line is a single
(convex) flare, while the outlets are double (concave) flares.
Upon closer inspection, you'll notice a small vent in the end, opposite the
inlet. This hole needs to be drilled out, and tapped to suit the thread of
the machine knob you have.
Carefully dismantle the valve, noting the sequence of the parts as they come
out. If you've got a second hand valve, clean it thoroughly before
proceeding.
Remove all traces of swarf and oil with an airline and degreaser. If it's a
second hand valve, you would be advised to replace the seals. Lubricate the
internals with the same type of brake fluid you'll be using in the rest of
the system, then drop the small washer into the valve, followed by the
spring and plunger. Screw on the end cap, and tighten it. Insert the
bleed
screw into one of the side orifices. Screw the
machine knob into the newly tapped hole in the end, with or without the jam
nut, depending on whether you want to adjust the brake bias on the fly, or
have the bias fixed.
That's the conversion finished!
Mount the bias valve in a handy location, or, so the knob protrudes through
the dash panel. Connect the inlet line to the valve using a single flare,
and connect the outlet line to the free orifice in the side, using a double
flare. Screw the bleed nipple into the remaining orifice
in the side of the body. Bleed the brakes as normal,
not forgetting the new bias valve too. |

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