Marina Back Axle

Post by **Jefftav** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 8:29 am

Hi guys,
My Morris has a Marina back axle and I wondered if the U bolts securing the springs to the axle are the same a Morris Minor. Also there are no bump stops on the axle - I have telescopic dampers fitted so are bumps stops a requirement for an MOT?

Come to think of it I think the bumpstops are missing off the front and telescopic are fitted so again are bump stops an MOT requirement?

Thanks, Jeff

Post by **8009STEVE** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 8:41 am

Bump stops are not an MOT requirement, but if they are fitted, then there must be a pair, not a single.

Post by **GAS** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 6:15 pm

The marina axle is thicker,but the moggy U bolts will fit.

Post by **Jefftav** » Tue Jul 22, 2008 8:07 am

OK thanks both for your help. Jeff

Post by **bmcecosse** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 11:28 pm

But I strongly recommend you have bump stops Jeff - without them the front inner wings will soon shatter, and at the rear the axle will hit the chassis - that's IF the tele dampers allow that much movement? If they dont - then their mountings will take a huge beating that they were never designed for. Fit bump stops front and rear - and re-bound stops at the front too!

Post by **Stig** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 10:24 am

The axle won't hit the chassis, what happens is the rear shackle gets pushed so far back that the end of the spring hits the box section. Not a disaster but not recommended.

I speak as someone who had no bump stops and had the top leaf of the spring break.

As for the front inner wings shattering, well that rather depends on the front springs and dampers. Though I'd agree that bump stops should be fitted I've managed without for 15+ years so take such horror stories with a pinch of salt.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 1:04 pm

Well - if the roads are at all rough - it will bounce and bang the kingpin into the inner wings - and they do 'shatter' quite easily! When i got my traveller it was the first job I had to sort out - welding up the inner wing cracks and splits - and fitting bump stops. Oh and the lower arms also crash into the engine bay tie-plates - cracking them too.

Post by **Dean** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 3:43 pm

The car was designed with bump stops, so I'd suggest fitting them. If there was no need for them, they wouldn't have been fitted in the first place.

Post by **Jefftav** » Sat Jul 26, 2008 9:23 am

OK, I will place a wanted ad for rear axle bumps stops & U Bolts. Will the Minor bumps stops be suitable?

Thanks for all you advice, Jeff

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sat Jul 26, 2008 8:13 pm

May as well buy new Jeff - rear bump stops need to be in top condition - although I have cut a good inch off mine to get some much needed suspension travel!

Post by **jonathon** » Sat Jul 26, 2008 8:26 pm

Take some of those spares out of the boot BM , that'll do it

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sat Jul 26, 2008 10:54 pm

Well it's a Trav - so no boot. But if I leave the spares behind - the car will break down !