Releasing torsion bar

[biomed32uk]

So one of my winter layup jobs is totally strip and over haul the front suspension.

I am happy with how it all comes apart, and how to release the torsion bars etc. The only bit I can't remember was going back to my days of Marinas was how I used to hold the rear part of the lower arm. I am sure I used to have a fixture for the top of the jack that had a notch cut into it that the lower arm used to drop into where it curves out to meet the lower trunnion pin.

I am certain it wasnt just wedge the jack under it and be careful while letting it off.

Does anyone have any natty jigs for this so nothing slips off under load ?.

[moggalot]

I have such a jig, fashioned from some old bits of scrap metal. It holds the top and bottom arms steady, taking the tension while you remove the bottom pin safely and then gradually unwind it - safely releasing the spring. (I did try to upload a photo but it didn't work?)

[BLOWNMM]

I have welded a nut onto my trolley jack and made a fitting to screw into the trolley jack nut which is shaped to fit the outer end of the suspension arm. It is shaped so it is not possible to slip off. I also have another piece which screws into the drain plug on my MM gearbox and into the jack to provide an adjustable g'box support when removing the motor.
Bob

[biomed32uk]

Thanks guys, seems my memory is not far off the mark there. I am sure mine was very similar to that, sure it had a short piece of tube that went over the jack cup, a plate over the end with something very similar to yours on top.

Have to go and see what metal I have in the workshop and get somthing made up, unless I can find it, and thats unlikely now.

I just use a small ratchet strap around the gearbox, looped through under the battery tray, works quite well for some tweaking getting the engine in and out. Quite a nice idea though a bit more elegant. The ratchet strap works for me as it can be tweaked while wrestling with the engine all without leaving the engine bay.

[biomed32uk]

Made something up very similar to that to fit into the trolley jack. Piece of 40mm bar turned down to fit the trolley jack, the cup comes out from mine after removal of a hairpin clip. Leaves a nice way of attaching something else. Turned the other end down to fit the rear arm by the trunnion, milled a slot in it and job done.

I found that by putting the trolley jack in line with the car, and the inner wheels of the jack on a piece of floor board it puts the jack fairly square to the arm so less risk of anything letting go or being launched. Its' so long since I have done anything with lower trunnions and Morris suspension, the Marina used to eat them so I was quite good at them 30yrs ago.

From the lower hanging point of the arm with the leg in there's not that far to let it down to release the tension once the legs out, still wouldn't want my fingers anywhere near it should it suddenly go.

Both sides safely removed, now the clean up begins.