Re-assembling the front suspension - setting the height

[scottymalotty]

Hi,

I am wondering how to set the position of the front torsion bar arm having lost the original marks I made when I stripped it.

I had previously stripped the front suspension to replace all the bushes, bolts etc but decided to re-strip it to fit some new poly bushes and re-set the new vernier plate which had buckled out of position. In my hurry I did not re-mark the position of the front torsion arm on the splines. Hence the question.

Is there a setting like the height of the top suspension arm from the top rubber or something that I can use to set the position of the arm on the splines?

Many thanks for any help.

Kind regards,

Scott[frame][/frame]

[Chipper]

I think the standard setting will be approx. 3" or so between the bottom of the lower trunnion with the kingpin fully dropped onto the lower bumpstop and the tip of the lower wishbone arm.

I.e., you would need to use a jack to raise the lower arm by around 3" to enable you to fit the lower trunnion eyebolt back in.

I know that if the car is lowered by a couple of splines, you don't need to use a jack at all to be able to fit the eyebolt in, but with it that low, you don't get much in the way of suspension!

[scottymalotty]

Thanks Maurice....I will give that a try. I was forgetting about jacking up the lower arm to allow it to fit to the lower trunion.

Many thanks.

[mike.perry]

Re assemble the arm using only the essential bits ie just the nuts at either end of the front suspension arm, no tie bar, split pins etc. Check the height, mark the torsion bar and then you have only the minimum stripping down to adjust the torsion bar.
One spline = 1.5 ins at the wheel

[scottymalotty]

Thanks Mike...will try that tonight. I will be a Morris Minor suspension expert after this

Kind Regards,

Scott

[scottymalotty]

Hi,

Many thanks for the suggestions but I am still a bit confused. I adjusted using the 3" recommendation by Chipper but now both sides differ in height between the top of the wheel and the wing and I'm confused which one is correct now (or are both wrong?)

I will attach a couple of photos to show what I mean and maybe someone can advise.

Confused Edinburgh.[frame][/frame]

[scottymalotty]

Drivers side - too low?[frame][/frame]

[volrod544]

I had a torsion bar that was removed in one piece.I took a pic today and it may be a starting point for you-[frame][/frame]
when the arm is laying on the ground,the centre height to the middle of the bolt hole (shown where steel rule is) is 109mm.
Pete

[philthehill]

Whilst the wing clearance method may be alright for a quick setting there is only one qualified way of measuring the suspension height and that set out in the BMC Wksp Manual Section K.
See attached:-
For fine setting of the suspension you may have to use the rear adjuster plates.
The wing may have been replaced and the heights either side may not be the same so you should not take wing height as a datum height. Better to do the job properly and use the correct measurements.
[frame][/frame]

[Chipper]

Ride height looks about right to me, and as long as it more or less matches the rear, probably is.

Have you allowed it to settle? You may well need to bounce it up and down a bit to obtain this.

Check that your front wings measure the same height from the top of the arch to the top of the wing - it's not unknown for them to be quite different!

[mike.perry]

As a rough guide you should be just about able to fit your hand sideways between the top of the tyre and the wheel arch

[scottymalotty]

Thanks everyone. I will study the responses and hopefully get this sorted out. Will let you know.

[Chipper]

[frame][/frame]

Wonder what they mean by "loaded with full equipment"?

That could mean anything, ranging from bags of spuds and cement, to 4-man tent, bicycles, tools, etc, etc...

[philthehill]

It means three average weight persons (84,0kg or 185lb (data taken 2009); source Wikapedia) a full tank of petrol (or equivalent weight in the boot), spare wheel. jack and wheel brace.
But of course people in 1959 or thereabouts were smaller in height and the majority weighed less so if you extrapolate the average was about 170lb in 1959. So you have a choice either use 3 x 185lb or 3 x 170lb. The choice is yours

[Rasputin]

I was considerably smaller in 1959,I was 12 and I weighed considerably less

[philthehill]

[IslipMinor]

As a rough guide you should be just about able to fit your hand sideways between the top of the tyre and the wheel arch

Mmmm?????? One finger maybe!

[scottymalotty]

I had a torsion bar that was removed in one piece.I took a pic today and it may be a starting point for you-[frame][/frame]
when the arm is laying on the ground,the centre height to the middle of the bolt hole (shown where steel rule is) is 109mm.
Pete

Ok after reviewing all the excellent suggestions I eventually went with Pete's pragmatic one and removed the torsion bar completely, laid it on the floor, and adjusted the front arm until the rear arm scew hole centre was approx 109mm from the ground. I then carefully marked the front arm and bar with chalk and refitted the torsion bar to the car. Looking at the attached picture it looks much better.

I will now do the same on the other side. Thanks Pete great advice.[frame][/frame]

[bmcecosse]

Let the suspension settle down for a good few miles - then make final adjustments. I agree - roughly 3 fingers between tyre and wing flange at the front is good. It's not critical - the suspension WILL settle - and as long as both sides are the same..... Don't forget to re-track the wheels when finished.

[volrod544]

glad to have helped.
Pete