Lower L/H trunion replacement

Post by **davidwarren** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 10:11 pm

Hi, I own a 1968 two door moggie and I have a question about the front suspension. Does anyone know an easy way to remove the bottom trunion? Or do you have to do as the book says and remove the hub and back plate.
As you probably all already know its impossible to unscrew the bottom trunion because of the back plate.
Please help.
David.

Post by **rayofleamington** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 10:15 pm

If you want to remove the trunnion from the upright, then you will have to remove the backplate - however it's just 4 nuts/bolts, so shouldn't be too hard. To get to the bolt heads, remove the hub (undo the big nut in the midle and pull it off - but make sure it all goes back together correctly)

Also - don't forget to remove the pivot pin from the trunnion! This will stop it from unscrewing!

Post by **davidwarren** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 10:28 pm

It says in the manual about using a puller to remove the hub, or can it be pulled off by hand?

Post by **rayofleamington** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 11:35 pm

I've done more than my fair share of front hubs - they all came off by hand (after removing the nut).
It's very common to find worn trunnions on a Minor if it's not been serviced well - I seem to have a nack of buying them when they are in a sorry state ;-)
If the thread on the upright is worn, then it's best to replace the complete set rather than just the trunnion.

Rear hubs come off using a big screwdriver, levered against the brake cylinder - fortunately I've only had to do a few of those (leaky hub seals...)

Post by **bmcecosse** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 7:49 am

Front hub comes off easily - remember it's left hand thread for the nut on the left of the car. Backplate - as above - 4 bolts and don't even have to disconnect the flexi hose. However by far the biggest part of this job is getting the trunnion out from between the lower suspension arm halves. Disconnect the tie-bar, undo the nuts and bolts holding the arms together and then just remove the front half of the arm. The trunnion will then come away from the bottom arm (take the load of the suspension on that arm first with a jack) and can then be unscrewed - that's if it doesn't just fall off by itself. Usually - the wear is such that the complete upright and both top and bottom trunnions need renewing. But you may be lucky and find you can get away with just a new lower trunnion - in which case nip out and buy a Lottery Ticket right away - it's your Lucky Day. When you screw it on (I think LH thread on that side) - if there is any 'play' in the threads as you near the top (and remember it must be left just shy of the very top so it can swivel!) then for safety you should replace everything. Moly grease is good for these parts.

Post by **davidwarren** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 2:59 pm

Thanks for the advise, soon as the bits drop throught the letter box I'll crack on with it.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 3:32 pm

It's not by any means a difficult job - just be prepared!

Post by **davidwarren** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 3:58 pm

I hope the bits get delivered in the morning, I can't wait to start it!

Post by **bmcecosse** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 8:48 pm

You can always get started in anticipation !

Post by **davidwarren** » Sat Jun 30, 2007 8:24 pm

I have finished the work on my front suspension now. What a difference, no squeking noises anymore! I've noticed the rear making noises, maybe I need to change bushes there?!

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sun Jul 01, 2007 11:18 am

Remember to grease it often - I use Moly grease. The work on the car is never ending - there will always be something else round the corner. Just try to anticipate - and do everything necessary when you have an assembly in bits so you are not doing the work all over again in a few weeks time!