Traveller 7 Leaf Springs

[jaguar68]

Hi Chaps,

What advantage is there fitting the 7 leaf springs from a Traveller to a standard 1098 saloon?

Regards

John

[chesney]

Simple, stiffer rear end! 'Better' roadholding. Some say it is too harsh though.

[jaguar68]

I experienced what I guess may have been axle tramp this afternoon when gently(ish) pulling out at road works. Interesting to say the least!!!

[simmitc]

You can still get axle tramp in a Traveller with 7-leaf springs! The stiffer springs will allow you to carry a heavier load, but to cure the tramp you need to overhaul the suspension - bushes, pads, dampers, etc; and even consider additional control such as rods. However, good springs with good bushes etc will cure most problems.

[mike.perry]

I fitted Traveller 7 leaf springs to my Series MM by mistake, not realising that the leaves were thicker than Series MM 7 leaf springs. The result was that it jacked the back end up far to high and it did its best to overtake the front end on every roundabout.
As Series MM 7 leaf springs were not available I fitted standard 5 leaf springs which greatly improved the handling

[jaguar68]

I might fit the 7 leaf springs at some time, as I've discovered that the bump stop plate on the drivers side is bent (and the bumpstop has moved round on the axle too). I rarely have passengers in the car either. Being no shrinking violet at 15 1/2 stone doesn't help either

[bmcecosse]

The Trav springs will pretty much eliminate tramp. If it ends up too high - you can either remove 1 leaf or fit lowering blocks. You MUST have good bump stops - I cut about 1.5" off them to give some decent suspesnion travel. And of course - SAE 40 in the dampers......

[philthehill]

If it is too high on the back end you can do as I did and remove the bottom leaf of the seven leaf spring and have the remaining spring leaves professionaly reset to lower the car by 2 inches whilst making sure that the same load bearing/ride is retained. Much better than fitting lowering blocks as fitting the blocks increases the turning moment of the axle (more leverage) against the leaf spring which increases the tendency to tramp. So by fitting lowering blocks you could be back to square one or even worse if you have worn/soft leaf springs! If you do fit lowering blocks it is best to fit anti-tramp bars at the same time. And as BMC says take 1 1/2 " off the bump stop.

[bmcecosse]

I agree - I've never had to use lowering blocks - but some seem determined to do so, which is why I mentioned them.

[IslipMinor]

Traveller 7-leaf springs are not the same as 803/948 saloon 7-leaf springs, the Traveller leaf thickness is thicker on all the leaves. Not sure how they would sit in a saloon/convertible?

An alternative to lowering blocks - our 1958 Minor has 7-leaf springs as standard and 40+ years ago I took them apart, turned the bottom smallest leaf upside down, put it as the top leaf and reassembled the springs like that. With 6 leaves working in one direction and one leaf in the opposite, the result is it lowers the car by around 2" and slightly softens the rear spring, which is no bad thing on a car with quite a light rear-end.

Yes, of course shortened the bump stops, plus poly bushes everywhere and a poly bushed set of anti-tramp bars, which are required with virtually any engine size when turning right smartly from a junction.

As a cautionary note, be a little careful what you wish for. Other than the addition of a Marina/Ital rear anti-roll bar grafted on to the rear axle, that was the exactly the starting point after fitting the 1380 engine. Result, no tramp (tick) but the reduced axle articulation from the anti-tramp bars and anti-roll bar allowed lots of wheelspin from the RH wheel, if being even a little enthusiastic turning right, especially in the damp/wet. So no problem, just fit a limited slip diff, that will cure it won't it? Yes, no more wheelspin, if fact no more drive, as one of the 'toughened' halfshafts immediately (200m from home on the first drive) broke as more torque was transferred through it! So, just fit Peter May's EN24 halfshafts, problem solved. Care to look up the cost of an LSD and EN40 halfshafts? Maybe don't start out too far down that road in the first place?

Hate to be a killjoy, but maybe just live with a slightly more gentle take-off approach?

[Bazzalucas]

I fitted Trav springs to my '58 saloon (1275, 3.7 diff), and it eliminated axle tramp except in the least judicious circumstances. I have a feeling that the next time I am careless in my take-offs, I'll snap an axle.

[philthehill]

The higher diff ratio (lower number) means that you have less transmission mechanical leverage on the springs and with the 7 leaf springs the means of overcoming axle tramp is easier to obtain. Lower diff ratios (higher number) increases the transmission mechanical leverage on the springs and increases the possibilty of axle tramp. Unless you have loads of excess power I think it very unlikley that you will snap a half shaft when starting off in a rapid manner. If you want a quick start feed the clutch in i.e. do not let the clutch out fully in one operation but use the clutch to assist the start i.e slip it a bit if you feel the tyres loosing grip or the axle tramping. Controlling the feed of power to the tyres is what it is all about.

[Bazzalucas]

Thanks, Phil, that's very informative and reassuring- sincerely. Even so, I'll keep my spare set of axle shafts where I can find 'em!

[philthehill]

I do not know what I have been doing wrong as the previous set of standard halfshafts fitted to my tuned Minor stood up to heavy abuse and I never ever had a broken halfshaft. Though since I fitted hardened halfshafts I have had a diff blow apart! So you might like to keep a spare diff in the boot or to hand as well as the halfshafts.

[Bazzalucas]

Hmmm...if I move the spare distributor, fuel pump, dynamo, fan belts, radiator hoses, and toolbox, I should just have enough room...

[bmcecosse]

What - no spare coil or cylinder head??? There's PLENTY of room in there..........

[Bazzalucas]

Silly Roy! It's NEVER the coil!

[bmcecosse]

ONLY as long as you have a spare with you..............