BRAKE DRUMS FRONT for LATER Mk2 / Mk3 RELIANT ROBIN with 12 INCH WHEELS and MINI BRAKE SYSTEM

FRONT BRAKE DRUMS for LATER Mk2 / Mk3 RELIANT ROBIN with 12 INCH WHEELS and MINI BRAKE SYSTEM

From my own research it would appear that the front brake drums are the same castings as the original Mini items .

I bought 2 brand new Mini front brake drums for the princely sum of £30 for the pair with free postage .

Mini Sport sell them for just over £11 each .

Unfortunately the mini casting has 2 countersunk holes bored and the centre diameter is only 74 mm

whereas the Reliant version centre diameter is 82 mm and has no countersunk holes .

With the mini drum only being 72mm centre diameter it is too small to fit over the Reliant front hub .

MINI DRUM 74.19mm CENTRE DIAMETER

RELIANT DRUM 82.40 mm CENTRE DIAMETER

I took one of the mini brake drums to my local machine shop and had it machined out to 82 mm

However , after machining , the screw locating holes have nearly been broken through . .

MACHINED MINI BRAKE DRUM FITTED TO RELIANT HUB .

NOTE THE HOLES WHICH WOULD LET OUTSIDE ELEMENTS ONTO THE BRAKE SHOES .

I cut the threads off the mini countersunk screws and glued them into place which stopped any ingress of water .

MY PERSONAL THOUGHTS ON THE MATTER

I believe that the Reliant front drums were retailing around £60 last time I saw one advertised and believe that they are a rare find nowadays .

Since the Mini and Reliant castings are obviously the same prior to machining surely it would be a simple procedure to ask the manufacturer to

omit machining the screw holes and to enlarge the internal diameter .

Also , since the mini shops can sell the brake drums for £12 retail including VAT , they must be purchasing them for at least half that price .

Surely one of the Reliant parts dealers can get the alternative machining done and retail them for £30 ish ?