Wheel alignment

Front hub lubrication, all models
Every 10,000 miles (1 6.000 km)
Check front hubs for leakage. This may be seen at disc shield or inside wheel rim.
If there are signs of leakage at the above points, the necessary rectification should be carried out by your local Rover Distributor or Dealer.

Rear hub lubrication, all models
Every 10,000 miles (16.000 km)
Check rear hubs for leakage at flange adjacent to drive shaft and rim of wheel flange.
If there are signs of leakage at the above points, the necessary rectification should be carried out by your local Rover Distributor or Dealer.
The brass plug on the hub fitted to early models only must not be used for lubrication purposes.


Front hub lubrication
A-Check for leakage at these points

Rear hub lubrication
A-Check far leakage
at these points

Wheel alignment, all models-Every 20,000 miles (32.000 km)
Special equipment is required to check wheel alignment and this work should be carried out by your local Rover Distributor or Dealer.
For those owners who have suitable equipment, the alignment should be 0.0625 in. (1,5 mm) toe-in plus or minus 0.0625 in. (1,5 mm).

Early models: To adjust, slacken the locknuts of the steering track rod adjuster at rear of engine and turn to obtain the correct alignment.
Late models: To adjust, slacken the locknuts at each end of steering track rod at rear of engine and turn rod to obtain the correct alignment.
All models: Tighten locknuts and re-check. Ensure that the track rod ball joints are correctly aligned; that is, the top of the ball joint should be horizontal in the fore and aft direction.
It should be noted that the camber of the front wheels on this car 0 degrees, with a tolerance of plus or minus 1 degree. That is, the bottom of the wheels can splay out slightly.


Adjuster for front wheel alignment
Late models illustrated
A-Steering track rod
B- Lock nut
C-Ball joint

Brake fluid reservoir
Late type illustrated
A-Cap
B-Float unit
C-Filter tube
D-Reservoir

Brake fluid reservoir, all models
Every month and at every maintenance inspection

The reservoir cap incorporates a float and level switch which operates the amber brake warning light, should the level in the reservoir fall below the safe limit.

Check fluid level in brake reservoir. If necessary replenish as follows:
(a) Plastic reservoir, to rib on reservoir.
(b) Metal reservoir, to top of the four vertical ribs on the inside of the filter.

Use Castrol Girling Brake and Clutch Fluid Crimson, Specification SAE 70 R3.
If significant topping up is required check master cylinder, brake disc cylinders and brake pipes for leakage; any leakage must be rectified immediately.
When removing reservoir cap do not disconnect the wires; care should be taken when withdrawing the float unit to ensure that the brake fluid does not drip on to the car.

Check operation of reservoir level safety switch as follows:
Ignition 'on', handbrake 'off': unscrew and lift filler cap 1 in. (25 mm), warning light should be illuminated.
If warning light is not illuminated, the operation of the float unit and the wiring connections must be investigated.

Front and rear brake pads, all models-Every 5,000 miles (8.000 km)
Hydraulic disc brakes are fitted at the front and rear, and the correct brake adjustment is automatically maintained; no provision is therefore made for adjustment.
Dunlop-type brakes with separate handbrake pads at rear. Items 1 and 2.
1. Check the thickness of the foot brake pads and renew if the minimum thickness is less than 0.25 in. (6 mm), also check for oil contamination on brake pads and discs.
2. The handbrake has an automatic adjuster; if handbrake lever movement is excessive, check handbrake pad thickness, minimum 0.125 in. (3 mm), also check for oil contamination on brake pads and discs.

Girling-type brakes with combined foot and handbrake pads. Item 3.
3. Check the thickness of the brake pads and renew if the minimum thickness is less than front 0.125 in. (3 mm), rear 0.0625 In. (1,5 mm), also check for oil contamination on brake pads and discs. When new, the brake pads on the rear caliper are tapered, however as wear takes place the frictional faces become parallel with the backing plates.
The above operations should be carried out from underneath the car.
If replacement or rectification is necessary this should be carried out by your local Rover Distributor or Dealer.


Checking foot brake pads, Dunlop-type brakes
A-Foot brake pad, minimum
thickness 0.25in. (6 mm).
B-Handbrake pad. minimum
thickness 0.125 in. (3 mm).

Checking footbrake pads,
Girling type brakes
A-Footbrake pad, minimum
thickness 0.0625 in. (1,5 mm)
Bleeding the brake system, all models
If the brakes feel spongy, this may be caused by air in the hydraulic system. This air must be removed by bleeding the hydraulic system at the disc cylinders: one bleed point only at the rear and one at each side at the front, Bleeding must always be carried out at all three points.
1. Attach a length of rubber tubing to the bleed nipple on the rear left-hand caliper and place the lower end of the tube in a glass jar containing brake fluid.
2. Slacken the bleed screw and pump the brake pedal slowly, pause at each end of each stroke to allow the master cylinder piston to recuperate. Continue pumping until the fluid issuing from the tube shows no signs of air bubbles when the tube is held below the surface of the fluid in the jar.
3. Hold the tube under the fluid surface and, with foot brake fully depressed, tighten the bleed screw.
4. Repeat for the front disc cylinders in turn, finishing at the one nearest the brake pedal.

The fluid in the reservoir should be replenished throughout the operation, to prevent another air lock being formed, using only new fluid: Castrol Girling Brake and Clutch Fluid Crimson, Specification SAE 70 R.3. It will be obvious that the above operation requires two people.


Brake bleed nipple,
Dunlop-type brakes
A-Bleed nipple

Brake bleed nipple,
Girling-type brakes
A-Bleed nipple

Clutch fluid reservoir, SC and TC models
Every 5,000 miles (8.000 km)
Check fluid level in clutch reservoir, top up if necessary to bottom of filler neck. Use Castrol Girling Brake and Clutch Fluid Crimson, Specification SAE 70 R.3.
If significant topping up is required, check for leaks at master cylinder, slave cylinder and connecting pipe.

Bleeding the clutch system, SC and TC models
If the level of the fluid in the clutch reservoir is allowed to fall to low or if the pipe has been disconnected, the clutch will not operate correctly due to air having been absorbed into the system.
This air must be removed by bleeding the hydraulic system at the slave cylinder as follows:
1. Attach a length of rubber tubing to the bleed nipple on the slave cylinder and place the lower end of the tube in a glass jar.
2. Slacken the nipple and pump the clutch pedal, pausing at each end of each stroke, until the fluid issuing from the tube shows no signs of air bubbles when the tube is held below the surface of the fluid in the jar.
3. Hold the tube under the fluid surface, and, with the pedal fully depressed, tighten the bleed screw.
The fluid in the reservoir should be replenished throughout the operation to prevent another airlock being formed, using only new fluid: Castrol Girling Brake and Clutch Fluid Crimson, Specification SAE 70 R.3. It will be obvious that the above operation requires two people.


Clutch master cylinder
and fluid reservoir
A-Cap
B-Reservoir

Clutch master cylinder
and fluid reservoir
A-Cap
B-Reservoir