Reliant Braking Systems

[tbone]

There are 2 different systems used for the brakes on Reliants.
All Robin & Rialto`s built before 1994 use a Girling brake system, after 1994 they are fitted with a Lockheed system.
All Kitten`s regardless of age use a Lockheed system and this is the same system used on the later 3 wheelers.
So, unless you do the MMM disc conversion, you`ll need to identify your brake set up in order to obtain the correct parts.

( How do you know if you have a Kitten axle or a later Robin/Rialto one?  The Kitten axle only has 3 bolts to hold the backplate on, all Robin/Rialto axles have 4 bolt fitting backplates.)

[tbone]

Robin & Rialto (pre 1994)

The braking set up on these vehicles is a simple but effective Girling system.
Bolted on one side of the backplate is an adjuster, a simple cam mechanism that when turned, spreads the brake shoes outward toward the drum. On the opposite side is the wheel cylinder, this is a single acting, sliding cylinder that is held in place by horseshoe shaped spring clips which allow the cylinder to slide. One end of each brake shoe is located into a groove on the adjuster, whilst the other end of the shoe sits on the wheel cylinder. The shoe that sits onto the piston in the cylinder is known as the leading shoe.
The brake shoes are held in place by a single pin that fits from behind the backplate, this passes through a hole in the brake shoe, then a spring is fitted over the pin and is secured in place with a cup. The pair of shoes are connected together by two return springs.
When you press your brake pedal, fluid is pushed through the brake pipe and into the wheel cylinder, this forces the piston in the cylinder out, and as the shoe is sat on the piston, the shoe is also pushed outward, against the drum. At the same time, due to the resistance from the brake shoe, the cylinder slides in the opposite direction, pushing the second shoe outward against the drum and expanding the return springs that are fitted between the shoes.
When you remove your foot from the brake pedal, the two return springs contract, pulling the shoes away from the drum and reversing the procedure.
The handbrake acuating lever passes through the backplate, under the wheel cylinder and locates in a slot in the leading shoe, this lever pivots on the backplate. When the handbrake is applied, the cable, which is attached to the actuating lever, is pulled tight, in turn, the actuating lever pivots, pushing the lead shoe outward against the drum. When the handbrake lever is released, the shoe is again pulled away from the drum by the return springs.

[tbone]

All Kitten`s & Robin/Rialto`s post 1994

This is the Lockheed setup, differences will include the handbrake actuating lever and the adjuster, but the main difference is the wheel cylinder, this is a twin piston cylinder that doesn`t slide, instead it has a piston at each end to push the shoes against the drum.

[tbone]

Part numbers list for the Girling system                                     Part numbers list for the Lockheed System

Wheel Cylinder                                                                                   Wheel cylinder
AP Lockheed                         LW33049                                                                 Apec                   BCY1197
Brakeworld                            BC16                                                                      Brakeworld            BC1
Lucas/Girling                         64673049                                                                 Ferodo                FHW161                                                  
Quinton Hazel                        BWC3263                                                                Quinton Hazel        BWC3095
                                                                                                                       

Brake Shoes                                                                                      Brake Shoes
Apec                                   SHU250                                                            Apec               SHU187
Brakeworld                            BW1224                                                           Brakeworld      BW1000                                                                
EBC                                     5137                                                                EBC                5146
Ferodo                                 GS250                                                              Ferodo            FSB278
Girling                                   BS516                                                             Quinton Hazel    BS803
Mintex                                  MGR21

Adjuster                                                                                               Shoe fitting kit
Girling                                   64271022                                                          Apec             KIT738
                                                                                                                  Brakeworld     BSK10004
                                                                                                                  Ferodo          FBA89

[Simple Simon]

You sir are a star

[tbone]

Maybe when i`ve finished adding the part numbers  , must dig my notebook out next time i`m in the shed  .

[tbone]

Part numbers now added....Hope this helps some of you. 

[trev]

t bone -do you know if the conversion plates will fit the 3 stud backing plate ,with modification perhaps.

[tbone]

Hi Trev, yep they will. i`ve not actualy worked on a 3 bolt one but it looks as if 2 of the bolt holes would line up and then simply drill the third one, which appears to be drilled centrally.

[trev]

tbone,cheers mate,i,ve got a choice of 2 axles to work on now.

[Brant]

Hi Tbone

Under Part numbers for Girling Wheel cylinder you list 'AP Lockheed LW33049' yet there is no Lockheed part number in the Lockheed cylinder list.  Should 'AP Lockheed LW33049' be in the Lockheed cylinder listing?

[tbone]

Hi Brant, welcome to the forum.
No, the number listed is for the Girling system. The part numbers that i`ve given are from scribbled notes that i have made over the last few years.
No doubt someone somewere will have access to application catalogues and could supply some up to date part numbers, and as it happens its the same cylinder used on Mini`s, so someone is bound to know.
Having been out of the trade for a good few years now, i`m not even sure if the hydraulic arm of lockheed, or Delphi as i believe they are now known, is even still going.
The idea was to give people a starting point to track these items down with their local parts supplier, as in my experiance, if the vehicle is more than 5 years old, parts suppliers (i do generalise here) tend not to know what they are on about.

[Brant]

Hi Tbone

This newbee thanks you for the welcome.

So 'AP Lockheed LW33049' is indeed to the same design as the Girling unit (single piston).  Many thanks for clearing that up as I need to replace all brake parts on my Rialto axle.

Never triked before but am setting about a virago (XV1100) with a big stick so will be asking advice as I get into the build.  Be gentle with me for I am a bear of little brain.

Tried searching the forum for info on Virago exhaust systems but couldn't find suitable answers so my first new topic will be on that subject.