Work starts now!

Post by **dunketh** » Thu May 24, 2007 2:07 pm

Just got my new leaf springs through, complete with comprehensive 'fitting kit' and got all my new door shut rubbers, front and rear screen rubbers and a few other odds and sods too. All in the space of a few days!

I can scarcely believe it myself - I've been forced to spend REAL money on the car! And, I bought all the 'premium' quality stuff just to avoid future ball-ache. (the price differences were menial, in some cases a quid!)

Anyway, wish me luck. I've never replaced leaf springs before - but like everything else on the Minor it'll be self-taught (made up?) as I go along. After alll, its only a large scale mecano toy with an engine.

Sorry for the pointless posting, I'm just exctied. Be nice to have a car that handles like a car as opposed to a large jelly.

For reference, the suppliers were Bull Motif who so far appear as good as ESM when it comes to ordering and delivery. Top notch.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Thu May 24, 2007 3:49 pm

Two Cs in Meccano!! Soak the leaf spring nuts and bolts in proper penetrating oil well before you start - and it goes without saying - prop the car very securely and only change one at a time !

Post by **gairlochrosie** » Thu May 24, 2007 4:19 pm

and don't forget your chisel and grinder , if they have been on there for a long time without any maintenance

Post by **dunketh** » Thu May 24, 2007 4:51 pm

I'm actually tempted to just grind through the U clamps and not even bother trying to undo the nuts... whatevers quicker!

Thats the joy of having new parts to replace everthing.

Be interesting to see how it handles with the new springs, refilled dampers and jacked up torsion bars baring in mind I've only ever driven this Minor and its always been pretty soggy and sad.

Post by **gairlochrosie** » Thu May 24, 2007 5:09 pm

Oh you are going to enjoy it even more...makes one hell of a difference....Enjoy!

Post by **Packedup** » Thu May 24, 2007 6:24 pm

dunketh wrote: Thats the joy of having new parts to replace everthing.

You did get new bits for the rear spring front mounts, didn't you..? Ended up binning the back axle and springs on a scrap Minor (though it wasn't my choice to scrap that Minor, it really was rather rotten) because there was no way on earth the front mounts were coming off without a lot of butchery.

I intend to be doing not a lot Saturday and Sunday, but if you want another pair of hands (skilled in the arts of spanner losing and beer holding) let me know. Though the only rears I've fitted were on the pickup, which invloves less fiddly bits...

Post by **bmcecosse** » Thu May 24, 2007 7:30 pm

Make sure you fit new bump stops while the U bolts are off the axle.

Post by **sii803** » Fri May 25, 2007 4:40 am

The most difficult thing with this Job I have found is stopping the little bolts that retain the plate which retains the front pin that holds the leaf pring from spinning around and around.

I have used a flat head screw driver wedged between the flat and the body, but if its realy stuck, you will have to try to get a spanner on it (it is possible though difficult to see what one is doing).

Then again you could cut it off, but space may make it difficult not to damage other things, and you are so clsoe to the fuel tank.

If you are lucky they may just come off.

Post by **Peetee** » Fri May 25, 2007 8:04 am

I'm actually tempted to just grind through the U clamps

Go for it. They can be trouble to remove anyway as the double nuts are a pain with years of rust. The replacements have a single nylock.

Post by **dunketh** » Fri May 25, 2007 8:45 am

I've been through the bag of bits I got with the springs and everything seems to be there.
I've not had a proper look underneath yet but I know the U clamps are currently held by large metal blobs which may or may not have been nuts at one time in their life.

I intend to be doing not a lot Saturday and Sunday, but if you want another pair of hands (skilled in the arts of spanner losing and beer holding) let me know.

I'll give you an email. Trouble is it wont be til next wekend now. The long weekend is already spoken for (finaly) finishing my new loft room.

Make sure you fit new bump stops while the U bolts are off the axle.

Balls! I havent got any of them... best get the visa card out again...

Post by **8009STEVE** » Fri May 25, 2007 10:53 am

Balls! I havent got any of them

Opps

Post by **Stig** » Fri May 25, 2007 11:44 am

dunketh wrote:
Make sure you fit new bump stops while the U bolts are off the axle.
Balls! I havent got any of them... best get the visa card out again...

When I replaced the springs on mine some years ago I didn't realise it was supposed to have bump stops so it's still not got any. It has got some semi-circular worn bits on the bottom of the chassis by the rear spring hangers though.

Post by **dunketh** » Fri May 25, 2007 12:40 pm

Ordered some up now.

They're not cheap.

But then I guess they should last a good many years in which case a fiver each doesnt sound too bad.

Post by **Myko2** » Wed May 30, 2007 2:34 am

Stupid question here: Does it matter which way the springs go...er..that is front to back? Are the center bolts exactly in the middle of the arc?

Post by **plastic_orange** » Wed May 30, 2007 8:46 am

You should have it facing with the 2 small spring clips forward of the the axle, and one to the back.
However, if you have fitted them the other way round it probably wouldn't matter as the centre bolt is in the middle.

Pete