Since I picked my C up from long term storage, the brake pedal has been very firm.   On my way home from Bosham, one of my rear brakes got very hot causing a distinct burning smell.   So I decided to refurb my rear brakes.

With the shoes off I looked at the newly ordered springs from MGOC which were very different – the clearance seems to be present with these new spring (across the back plate and protruding hub part)

So my problem became clear with the shoes removed and the cylinder exposed.   The following photos show how the parts attach to the back plate and the condition of them on removal.

So above is my problem.   The cylinder is completely stuck.   It is actually a testament to how much the front brakes do.   I wonder if this was caused by the use of wrong brake fluid whilst I was away.

Back plate in caustic soda for 2 days to remove the paint and then in a rust removal solution, made by the same people who make Electrox paint

A final coat of black enamel type paint over the Electrox paint (which is superb to be honest).  The rest was trying out the parts before assembly and then assembling them on the driveshaft.   Looks much better than at the start.