Morris Minor Owners Club

one of the leaf springs after stripping and during de rusting<br><br>

the U bolts are pitted but usable, but I need a far more robust wire rotary brush.<br><br>

This one has worn right down after just one leaf spring, I'll try a steel one next, hopefully they won't take off too much metal.<br><br>

I use a 'knotted' steel wire wheel, usually a disc rather than a cup (though I have both). They shouldn't remove good steel but when you get rid of all the rust from a badly pitted body panel you will often be dismayed to find that it is full of hundreds of tiny holes that weren't visible before.

Try a flap wheel, I'm amazed by what a nice finish you can get even with a really course one.
I mean the disc shaped ones with overlaying flaps designed for use in a grinder.
Never tried the ones that go in an electric drill so no comment about them.

Alex and Mark, you are a fountain of knowledge. here's the knotted wheel I got from Halfords, a two thirds the price of the cup that wore away, and yes you do get a great finish even though it looks course.<br><br>

The next thing I would do is to use a rust killer on it (something like Jenolite), then paint it with zinc primer followed by chassis black.

Day off from car restoration today, Harry's Birthday treat to Bovington Tank Museum with two school chums. Here (pretending, phew) to be run over by a giant experimental vehicle from 1959 called a Rhino. (most powerful land vehicle on earth for it's time.) If you think this truck looks big, imagine what the wheel jack looks like!<br><br>

Back to the pickup this morning, here is a comparison shot of three U bolts L to R the original bolt, the phospher bronze brushed one and the far superior steel knotted brushed one, with far deeper de-rusting<br><br>

excellent mate

would it be possible may be to pop over some time and have a look at the pick up

Yes of course you can.

on second thoughts not today,just dropped a leaf spring on my thumb.
nasty blood blister under my thumb nail. speak to you later, owwch.

Yow!

Now that was an avoidable accident, too many components in the workshop. I tried to move the axle and knocked over a leaf spring, awaiting stripping, onto my thumb holding the axle.
Ive got to re think my workshop strategy here. Only one heavy item in the workshop at once, never stand a leaf spring against a bench.<br><br>

They don't get in the wat as much as front suspension uprights/brakes, and aren't quite so keen to fall over Again, ow...

Thanks Andrew, my wife always comes up with the right medicine, but this time she excelled herself.

I am in need of new shock absorbers, are the shocks the same for the pickup as the other cars, saloon, trav ect, and I know the 1000 series shared commonality of parts with other british car types of the same era, so I shouldn't just search for morris minor dampers should I ? can anyone help. <br><br>

rear shocks are the same for vans and pick ups but not saloon or travellers

morris minor shops stock them

i doubt you will find any on ebay, tho i beleive some volvo ones fit

keep the special washers tho

The cars have a different rear damper to the LCV. You can buy new ones:

http://morrisminorspares.co.uk/shop/pro ... cts_id=697

Marky that's what I use, they are less violent and yes give you a good keyed finish.