saloon rear telescopic dampers suggestions please

[morrisman1]

Hi, Im at the stage where i need to think seriously how i will put the rear shocks on my saloon. Im making custom base plates so the pin can come out forwards, backwards or to the centre of the car to suit what works best with the shocks.

Anyone have suggestions or pictures on how i should mount the top? im not keen on making towers if i can avoid that.

shock length availability might mean i have to angle them in at the top rather than vertical.

cheers,
Cameron

[puchmaxikid]

hi, this is just a kit from esm i put on mine http://morrisminorspares.co.uk/shop/pro ... f45d00ee38 i would think it could be quite easy to make up your own barcket heres a pic of mine<br><br> sorry for the poor pic.

Hope this helps Loz

[bmcecosse]

Try to keep them as vertical as possible! Some kits just use the origional top mount on the 'chassis' rail - shown 'empty' in the pic above. Is that (in the pic above) not the top mount bracket that has been prone to cracking ?

[puchmaxikid]

so far done around 700 miles on them they seem okay, but i may have a look at re-positioning mine tbh.

Loz

[rayofleamington]

sorry for the poor pic.

nothing wrong with that pic to explain what you mean!

[puchmaxikid]

ohh just because you cant see the complete bracket.

[bmcecosse]

Can see enough......... Why did you not use the outer hole - which would keep the damper slightly more vertical ? (Although it's not 'terrible' as it is!)

[jonathon]

The dampers used in these kits are Mini ones and if mounted on the original chassis leg spur and axle mount as shown they will bottom out.

[bmcecosse]

Oh dear -Mini (front) dampers are powerful enough for a Minor ?? And I am suprised anyway - because Mini front suspension movement is very restricted - so I'm amazed these dampers have enough travel? I imagine on full droop - the axle is hanging on the damper - perhaps that's what cracks the bracket ?
In that pic - if that's a Mini front damper - it certainly looks to be at full stretch.

[puchmaxikid]

hmmm good point, but thats an old pic. because its abit tight up there now with the exhaust and escort rear end and rear anti roll bar. but tomorrow i will have a look see!

[linearaudio]

Been contemplating this myself- can't see very much clearance for other than a very dumpy damper using that method, and likely grief clouting the exhaust if pitched at an angle, so when the weather improves I'm going the turret route- not so difficult if you like a bit of sheet metal fabrication, and still doesn't interfere with the load space. I'm basing my idea on a pair of Ford Escort estate dampers off EBay- loads of travel and a nice heavy feel-will go well with my composite springs.....

[jonathon]

Well, this issue has been of concern to many since the 80's when this kit was launched.

[bmcecosse]

The rear floor is very thin - so not a lot of strength to support the 'turret' - certainly on a Trav. The saloon has a handy diaphragm in the rear seat back panel!

[jonathon]

Believe me , the splitting of the floor is just as evident in saloons as well as travellers. Remember this is a 'cheap' bolt on kit. In my view you cannot simply bolt a suspension damper or spring to the floor of a car an not expect issues. This exercise requires a degree of knowledge as to how the shell copes with stresses and where modifications'strengthening' is required to effect a solid safe solution.

[linearaudio]

The rear floor is very thin - so not a lot of strength to support the 'turret' - certainly on a Trav. The saloon has a handy diaphragm in the rear seat back panel!

Agreed- thats why I'm taking my time! I intend to tie it all together with some suitable stuff incorporated into a framework to mount the tow hitch and generally reinforce the whole plot! Details are a little loose until I start crawling underneath with some box section!

[morrisman1]

ok, im just thinking of that esm kit, if it goes between chassis rails then surely its going to be pretty tough, when i build by kit (which has a similar design in my head) then ill weld the crossmember to the chassis rail at each end and possibly to the floor at various points across it.

While its still daylight ill pop out and take some photos and think about what im going to do.

an IRS setup would be ultimate but completely out of my budget.

[morrisman1]

as long as i put reasonably long pins on the bottom mounts then it looks like it will be fine.

with the long pins it will bring the shock absorber position backwards to a point where i can easily fit the steel across the car. My shock absorbers definetely will need to be angled due to the ride height of the car being lowish - i might need to look into that as there aint much room for bump stops. im not sure whether the springs are morry or datsun as i didnt do the rear axle conversion on that car but they look like morry springs.

[jonathon]

If you angle the dampers to the degree you require then I'd save my time and money and stay with the original set up. The angle of lean will severely limit the amount of damping.
This kit is based on the Marina/Ital set up neither of which were regarded as having decent suspension at the rear.

[bmcecosse]

You MUST maintain decent suspension travel at the rear - I suggest Mini front dampers don't have nearly enough travel! If the damper mount on the spring pan is too far away from the spring mount centre - it will have considerable twist action on the bracket.

[linearaudio]

You MUST maintain decent suspension travel at the rear - I suggest Mini front dampers don't have nearly enough travel! If the damper mount on the spring pan is too far away from the spring mount centre - it will have considerable twist action on the bracket.

What is this talk of decent suspension travel? 2" maximum seems to be the oft quoted figure until the bumpstop/ spring assisters come into play!