Something not right with front suspension.

[ferrit]

Hello, I’m’ new to the club and Morris Minors. I’ve never had close contact with one till I bought a traveller a couple of months ago and am on a steep learning curve.

I noticed that the bump stop was missing on the left hand side and when I went to put one on I then noticed that the top trunnion is leaning to the rear. I have replaced all bushes and the top trunnion and it’s made no difference, every thing seems quite solid with no play. Is my king pin bent or is it likely to be something else out of place?[frame][/frame][frame][/frame]

She drives all right and isn’t wearing the tyres noticeably.

Thanks

[minor65]

I presume you have jack the car up by the chassis legs. So when you fit the wheel and lower car / remove jack, once the weight is back on it, does it line up OK then?

[moggalot]

Check that the shock absorber radius arm is not bent. This can happen if someone has used heat to break the taper joint and beaten it with a club hammer.

[ferrit]

Thanks for the replies,
Yes it is up on the chassie leg and when I have it back on the ground it is just the same.

By the shock absorber radius arm do you mean the link from the king pin to the shocker. It seems straight enough.

[martin418]

is it the same both sides ?

[philthehill]

I have checked my uprights and they do lean backwards.
I put a straight edge against the large dia front face of the top link pin (Pt No: AAA3653(MOSS)) and carried it through to the body and it is aligned with the front edge of the round hole immediately behind the upright and to the rear of the damper arm.
If it aligns as above there is nothing wrong with your suspension and there isn't anything wrong with my suspension!
Note that the drawing from the bmc wksp manual shows the top trunnion mis-aligned exactly as shown in your photo.[frame][/frame]

[katy]

BMC manual # AKD530 lists king pin inclination of 8 1/2 º ( page: General data 5)

If both sides are the same, a little variation shouldn't hurt.

[philthehill]

7 1/2 degrees on models with rubber top link bushes!
8 1/2 degrees is for models fitted with screw type top trunnions.
Information from the same source as set out by Katy.
And to check that inclination you would have to set the car up on a level floor and ensure that the floor to chassis dimensions are as specified in the attached BMC drawing.
Once the car is set up - put an adjustable protractor (from a combination gauge) vertically against the undrilled steering arm boss, adjust the protractor till the bubble holder is horizontal and the bubble is set mid position. Read off from the degree scale and see what it says. It should read 3 degrees.
I will post a photo of the protractor fixed against the boss (already taken) used to check king pin inclination (fore and aft) in due course.
[frame][/frame]

[ferrit]

Many Thanks all.

Its not the same both sides or id feel a lot happier.

That diagram is most reassuring but now wondering if right side might be not right. Ill check with a straight edge and and protractor next time I get a dry day.

The bmc wksp manual sounds a useful book.[frame][/frame]

[philthehill]

Would not be without the several I have but it does catch me out some times, I had to look twice with some prompting to find cam shaft end float

[philthehill]

Checking the king pin inclination (fore and aft) using an adjustable protractor.
The two sides of the boss are parallel and the sides of the boss are parallel to the centre line of the king pin.[frame][/frame]
Unfortunately the read off scale is on the other side of the protractor but when viewed will still give the king pin inclination (degrees) reading.

[philthehill]

You can clamp the protractor onto the boss for a hands free operation.[frame][/frame]

[ferrit]

Very helpful photos, thanks. And I must say that is a very clean vehicle.

[philthehill]

ferrit
Thank you.
When it is used it is only used on nice clean smooth race tracks. It is not used on dirty roads.
Phil
PS
I used to live in west Cumbria and a lovely place it was too.
Was sorry to leave but employment needs must.

[MarkyB]

Checking the king pin inclination using an adjustable protractor.

You can also get a smart phone application to do the same thing.

The bmc wksp manual sounds a useful book.

You can download it as a PDF for nothing, just do a Google search.

As it's driving OK I wouldn't lose sleep about it.
To try and track down the reason compare every element on both sides with particular attention to the mounting points and the tie bars and bushes.

[bmcecosse]

Any evidence of past accident damage ?

[kennatt]

has it had a new front chassis section welded in by any chance,it could be that its the lower eye bolt that is slightly forwards

[bmcecosse]

Which would surely give real problems connecting the tie-rod ?

[Theo_NL]

The bmc wksp manual sounds a useful book.

You can download it as a PDF for nothing, just do a Google search.

I tried to find it, but failed. Can someone post a link?

Thanks

[bmcecosse]

We are not allowed to do so - just Google for 'Morris Minor Workshop Manual' it's there....