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MG MGA - Frozen rear wheels

The rear wheels are frozen and won't rotate. The car was parked in 1991 with the handbrake off. Suggestions welcome as how to diagnose and free up welcome. Very familiar with T-series but novice with As. Thanks, George
George Butz

Have you tried driving it away ?
Art Pearse

Just looked at your previous post. Not driveable?
Shoes are rusted to the drums. Try heat on the drums and whacking them laterally to the off direction.
Bottom line you could slice the drums in two with an angle grinder and buy new or S/H ones.
Or cut the heads off the backing plate retaining bolts and try taking the assembly off and dealing with it on the bench.
Art Pearse

If you can get the engine running, you may be able to rock it back and forth with power. Make sure you have front and rear room if the brakes don't work. Otherwise, jack it up and try to pull the drums.
Mike Parker

George,

Had the same problem on the right rear wheel of the coupe. Finally got it loose after a couple of hours of beating it with a hammer, prying with screwdrivers and spraying Krol in around the sides.

The heat suggestion might work best since you're going to end up replacing the shoes anyway.

And see these:

http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/brakes/bt105.htm
http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/brakes/bt105a.htm

Car looks great - you need to get the wife out cleaning it now

Gene Gillam

Is that rust along the fender piping?
Art Pearse

Art, Of course, among other places. Got the drums off. Big hammers, penetrating oil, prying. Once I could rotate enough to loosen the adjusters no problem. Thanks to all for advice. Gene, Daughter saw it last nite and just about flipped- she wants it for graduation, finished of course. Not that there would be much chance of that, but if anyshe will be doing the cleaning! George
George Butz

George...you can do it!

Uh, when's graduation anyway?
Gene Gillam

May 2016
George Butz

This thread was discussed on 09/06/2013

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