Broken Torsion Bar

Post by **plastic_orange** » Sun Apr 05, 2009 10:08 am

In my 37 years with Minors I've never suffered a broken torsion bar until now. I noticed a nut lying on the ground behind 'Bessie' and at first glance it looked like a bumper nut that had sheared off. I checked all fixings and they were intact. I then thought - torsion bar, and upon checking discovered that the nut and thread had sheared off the O/S torsion bar rear mounting.
Fortunately I have a replacement, but considering the car has just done 42500 miles, I find it a bit odd. My only thought is that when the car was restored and a new centre crossmember installed in 2001, the nut was overtightened on the bar.
Sods law this, as the car is provisionally sold, and will be collected next Saturday - how would I have felt if it had happened to the new owner.
If the nut hadn't been lying in my drive behind the car, I may not have noticed it until it started to rattle.

Pete

Post by **aupickup** » Sun Apr 05, 2009 10:38 am

must admit i have not heard of that before either

just lucky you found it in time

Post by **plastic_orange** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 4:57 pm

Fixed it today without too much bother. I had to replace the inner fulcrum pin due to the threads being butchered by the 'restoring garage'

I also replaced the bushes at the same time.
Some pics:

Broken parts:

Butchered Pin:

Post by **rayofleamington** » Tue Apr 07, 2009 9:25 am

due to the threads being butchered by the 'restoring garage'

the 2 things may have the same cause..

Post by **plastic_orange** » Tue Apr 07, 2009 10:05 am

My thoughts exactly

Pete

Post by **DAVIDMCCULLOUGH** » Tue Apr 07, 2009 10:17 am

I had one were the thread was stripped and it kept coming out of the locating bit on the crossmember, I had to change that one.

I remember reading somewere that BMC only ever had 6 complaints about torsion bars in the whole of the minors production. Not a bad record!

Post by **plastic_orange** » Tue Apr 07, 2009 12:24 pm

7 now - where do I send my complaint? Will the club assist me with a claim?

Pete

Post by **MGFmad** » Tue Apr 07, 2009 9:02 pm

plastic_orange wrote:7 now - where do I send my complaint? Will the club assist me with a claim?

Pete

Claims should be addressed to

Mr A Issigonis
c/o MG Rover
Longbridge