Front bumper support bracket?

Post by **Mogster** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 10:59 am

Hi all, should be collecting my Morris in the next couple of weeks. Generally seems pretty sound but this rather, 'unique' front bumper arrangement will want urgent attention!
Is the rounded bar (that I assume is a bumper bracket) replaceable or should I have a section welded in to extened it to how I suppose it was meant to be originally?

Sorry if the picture isn't very clear, it's also the only one I have, and I also hope my rather rubbish technical description makes sense!
Thanks and regards,

*Edit: picture doesn't show the bracket in question. Basically it's the o/s front bumper bracket, a sort of round bar that comes from under the car and assumably bumper attaches to. On this car the bar looks to have snapped off as doesn't seem long enough.

Post by **alex_holden** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 11:07 am

I think this is the part you're referring to. It welds to the front of the inner arch and the engine bay floor.

Post by **Mogster** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 11:33 am

That looks like the thing Alex, many thanks. Once I've collected the car I'll weigh the old one up and also the bumper as not sure if the 'missing' section is still attached to bumper or has just jumped ship completely.
Many thanks for that, much appreciated.

Post by **aupickup** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 11:41 am

so did it rot off then, if so may be other welding bits to do in that area

Post by **Mogster** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 1:16 pm

I don't know yet au, haven't picked the car up yet! I *think* it's solid where it's fixed to the bottom of the car but either rotten or snapped halfway along the actual support bar itself. I suppose it's possible someone stood on, or dropped something on, the front bumper and found a weak point?
The car had had a full underside welding job six years ago apparantly and hadn't been used on the road since. It still looks pretty solid though a thorough examination will be done when I get it back home.
Actually that leads me to a question I need to ask but forgot!:
Is there a towing eye or point on the front or rear of the car? Assuming it's reasonably solid underneath I didn't want to just connect the winch wire any old where before checking first in case I rip something off the bodywork!
Thanks and regards,

Post by **alex_holden** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 1:25 pm

No, they don't have a decent towing point. I would recommend putting the cable around one of the front bottom suspension arms. By that I mean the big thick arm that goes between the chassis leg and the upright, not the thin rod that comes forward from it.

Post by **Mogster** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 1:30 pm

Thanks Alex, think I'll use two of the wheel straps or ratchet straps, one either side, then have the winch wire in the centre of them to get an even pull if that's the case, thanks once again.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 2:30 pm

Yes - but as Alex says - don't put them round the thin tie-rods - go right back to the thick horizontal lower suspension arms. And keep them away from the brake pipes!

Post by **Mogster** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 3:23 pm

Will do, cheers. The car is only about 1/4 mile from my house (plus downhill on the way back!) and the brakes are free and working, but I believe even just pushing it back contravenes road traffic laws and it'd be typical of my luck to get caught! It's a sixteen mile round trip to get the truck but worth it I think!
I'll make sure I strap to the right places, I'd be gutted to wreck it before I'd even got it home, thanks once again for the advice.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 3:31 pm

If you have to do a suspended tow - it will likely do even more damage to that bumper - in fact that may be what damaged it in the first place. Would be an idea to remove the bumper completely before lifting the car.

Post by **Mogster** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 8:27 am

Thanks. Won't be a suspended tow as my truck is a beavertail so only potential issue is winching it on up the ramps safely.