Morris Minor Owners Club

But - doesn't come with a new spring ? Hmmmmm.....

That short ones a locating plate. Instead of the pressed steel and rubber that the saloons use.

you have to take the small one off the old springs
as les says it could be classed as a locating plate, it is bolted through with all the other leafs
also it pays to take out the original bolt holding all the leafs together
unlike the saloons where this is a rubber and metal locating plate

We're on a hiding to nothing here - clearly it's another one of those things that some will refuse to believe. Whatever - it doesn't alter the awkward matter of it being the truth.

Ehh ?

Deep man!---we're talking Marianas trench here.

Mechanical service parts list, for a van/pickup, clearly shows that rear springs could have either 7 or 8 seperate leafs.
There are other places to go David that specialise in making leaf springs and may give a better quality than the repro springs from suppliers, some of which look horrible. Springs that is, not suppliers.

les wrote:Deep man!---we're talking Marianas trench here.

Had to look that one up, but point taken Les.
I never disagree with you commercial owners as I know they have many differences from the rest of the Moggies but some always know better, now where has that trench gone

Well, here are the springs at the start of the disassembly, my original question asking if I should restore and use these original leaf springs is academic really as Wibble Puppy has donated two leaf springs to my project, some of the leafs are better than the original one's on the car, mind you it stood in an open field for over 20 years, so they ain't bad considering. hate to think what I'll look like in 20 years.<br><br>

They look fine ! The ends of the leaves are not worn into the adjacent leaf - with some de-rusting and a coat of thick oil - they would certainly do a turn.

Ok, coat of thick oil, rather than a coat of hammerite black do you think?

Absolutely!

I understand why now, the leafs don't just bend as one, they slide againts one another, so if they are smooth and well oiled the suspension will be smoother, well, thats the theory.<br><br>

Indeed - although some would argue that the oil will attract dust/dirt - which will form a grinding paste and then accelerate wear! Can also argue the oil will reduce the 'self damping' effect caused by the friction as the leaves slide. But really - it's best to let springs 'spring', and dampers 'damp'! Ideally - after the oiling - the spring leaves can be wrapped in a protective cover. In the 'old days' it would have been leather! Sometimes now Denso tape is used - but any hard wearing water resistant material would do.