Manufacture of new Swivel Pins

[jonathon]

It is being done, just taking time.

[millerman]

Interesting thread but from a quick glance through it would appear that no one has had to take their Minor off the road for the lack of a swivel pin

I accept that if you are a trader lack of spares for customers doesn't help

[Judge]

How much time? As yet no one seems to know, and in the meantime how many owners and/or potential owners decide the Minor is not for them due to a potential parts shortage. In my opinion the club should at least be investigating this, and reassuring their members that a solution is being sought.

[jonathon]

Wish I knew Bill, but lets not kill 'the golden goose' even if its laying late. A solution has been sought.
I think that there are more pressing problems that a potential Minor owners might want to consider, such as poor quality panels, chrome, seals, some gearbox issues, the fact that a lot of garages no longer want to work on Minors, a high % of Minors are rot boxes just waiting for a new owner to struggle with keeping it on the road, general lack of ability by a couple of generations who know nothing about mechanics or bodywork, and have no interest in learning.
Other classics and moderns offer much better safety, ease of maintenance, are cheaper to maintain etc etc. The list is endless, and in my view the swivel pins are a minor issue (forgive the pun)

[aupickup]

yes i think i would agree with jonthon

certainly not a cheap classic, but still a bit of a cult car i feel, and they will allways appeal

but lets not put down the moggie
there are still a big percentage of very good cars, vans, pickups, travellers, convert out there

the rotten resto ones do sell amazingly enough, of course to diyers that think it will be easy to restore, and then along the way they get left, sitting in gargaes for years where the owners have simply run out of, time, money and enthusiasm

it would be a very small percentage of morris minors on the road with kingpin problems

i can see more problems like jonathon says with panels, etc

its not just a case of simply buying a new wing and putting it on, without a lot of work, for an example

but i do feel the club should be aware of these issues raised on here concerning parts

[Judge]

Wish I knew Bill, but lets not kill 'the golden goose'

Jonathon, I think you know that this is the exact opposite of what I am trying to do. All I am saying is that a club that states it's objective is " Promoting the Preservation and Use of the Postwar Morris Minor", and " providing technical support and help with the location of spare parts ", seems to be unconcerned about the problem. If I am wrong then perhaps one of the committee, who we know view this board, would like to correct me.

This website provides the perfect platform to advise and reassure the members of what the club is doing, and yet it apparent continues to refuse to do this. Why?????????

[Pyoor_Kate]

Interesting thread but from a quick glance through it would appear that no one has had to take their Minor off the road for the lack of a swivel pin

Well, she's not strictly off the road, but she's on reduced duties. She's meant to be my main car, and rather than fixing her other problems at the moment I'm sorting out the DAF because despite there only being 400 of 'em around (or somesuch number) I can actually get all the bits for 'er. I *wanted* to take my minor off the road in the Summer so I could do all the jobs then, and just wanted to do the swivel pins nowish, but given the current lack of swivel pins...

She has to be parked on the road, sometimes, so she needs to keep her MOT, so I can't afford for her to fail on her worn (but not yet completely knackered) swivel pins. So I can't use her too much.

[jonathon]

Bill , in theory what you want the club to do will have this effect.
Not sure if the MMOC has mentioned the kingpin issue in M Matters and their 'concern' or otherwise.
I think you alraedy know the answer to your last question, its the inherent problem that has faced the membership for over 20 years. Unfortunately the membership have embraced the internet but the committee either do not want to or do not have the time., or need a meeting to decide who says what.
My previous comments about the downside of Minor ownership were not designed to put off new blood but its important that the problems facing us all are not lost behind a veneer of nostalgia or the belief that all is well with our chosen classic

[aupickup]

maybe the ones in the know have there own little stash of parts

[les]

The last post has made me wonder how many of us run a 'modern' car, when/if the minor is off the run, or just used occasionally, parts not being as critical then, probably quite a few.

[aupickup]

yes i would say quite a few will run the moggie occasionally, if the local mmoc branch is anything to go by

and i am talking about all minor owners, not just on here before any one says i use mine evryday

[ssnjimb]

Hello.

Well if this lack of interest actually manufacturing key parts continues then lots of morris minors will be failed at mot time for kingpin wear.

What is the point in having owners clubs that supposedly preserve cars for future generatations does nothing "discusssion yes but no actual kingpins" to ensure that we can have parts to keep them going.

Iam only 23 i have a small amount of knowledge in repairing due to my interest in books etc that teach such skills and the fact i own another BLMC/BL Car.

As the morris minor is such a popular car and people are interested in the iconic car that has been around for 61 years.

King pins are a very serious component that cannot be swopped from another car in he range without completely replacing the whole lot to a midget or marine setup. Other key parts are available such as shock absorbers and engines etc as they are shared across the range.

Imagine a shortage of A Series Engines that would mean the demise of at least 3 similar cars to name but a few the mini etc

I hope i have explained my views they are not endorsed by the club and are only my oppinions.

James Stephenson

[aupickup]

well it is the younger ones that will suffer with there minors

although if trunnions are well greased frequently at service intervals then they will last a good few years
mine ar ethe original legs are are still all working fine

[Pyoor_Kate]

They do last a good few years, but after what's at least 120,000 miles (possibly 220,000 or more since the speedo on my minor's a bit sticky at time), at least some of them with someone who didn't worry about maintenance they're apparently pretty worn out.

I'm strange enough to run a second classic as my other car; however, from my experience with the club in Brizzy, a lot of people run their Minors as a 'second' car. And with such low mileage and a friendly garage you might well get away with it...

[jaekl]

Seeing that this is a very long post, perhaps this question has been asked before, if so please forgive me.
Rather than manufacturing a new swivel pin, has anyone investigated the possibility rebuilding the threads? No not retapping undersize as the factory arranged, but adding material and turning to original size.

[M25VAN]

I have just been in contact with ESM and they have a new delivery date for swivel pins. After the delays from the historical supplier that they used before they are going to have their own manufactured by a new supplier. Expected delivery is May/June.
It’s good news that they have managed to find a new manufacturer and that they are going direct as it should give them more control over the whole process.

[bmcecosse]

As long as the Quality Control is up to snuff! We were told the first 'new' ones (ages ago) had failed at X-ray. I wonder if the BMC originals were ever X rayed ??

[Judge]

I think that the main point is that at least the problem has been recognised, and hopefully addressed. Remember, no parts = no cars = no club

[aupickup]

i was lucky in getting a few pairs of new old stock ones then a few years back

so no worries for me on that score

[jonathon]

Heard good news yesterday from the'horses mouth'. New swivel pins will be available at the end of May.