Morris Minor Owners Club

I have nearly finished my MM and am now confused about the spacer (shown in the manual) which is fitted between the eyebolt and the chassis leg, should it be there or not, as it will obviously alter the camber angle of the wheel. Originally on mine none were fitted although the car was fitted with the rubber bushed top links.
Also isit a legal requirement to have a reversing light fitted? I know that if one is fitted you must have a indicator to let you know it's on.

alanworland wrote:Also isit a legal requirement to have a reversing light fitted?

No.

You don't need a reversing light in UK & there is no requirement for an indicator (to let you know it's on) if you fit one.

Rog

Ah good I'm glad I don't need a light as they always look a bit of an afterthought!

HarryMango wrote:You don't need a reversing light in UK & there is no requirement for an indicator (to let you know it's on) if you fit one.

Rog

I believe you, since you are a tower of knowledge, but is that a real written down 'it's the law' fact? I'm intrigued, and have just had an urban myth I've believed to be true for many years shattered
LATER Or are we talking about switches operated by the gear lever?

I didn't want to start an argument! I thought if, a reversing light was manually operated a visual indication was required to be seen by the driver to reduce the chance of it being left on and an indicator light wasn't required if the reversing light was operated by the gearbox.
No thoughts on the spacer then?

alanworland wrote:I thought if, a reversing light was manually operated a visual indication was required to be seen by the driver to reduce the chance of it being left on and an indicator light wasn't required if the reversing light was operated by the gearbox.

That's what I'd always heard too.

Is this actually on a Series MM, or shall I move this somewhere where it is more visible?

alanworland wrote:I didn't want to start an argument! I thought if, a reversing light was manually operated a visual indication was required to be seen by the driver to reduce the chance of it being left on and an indicator light wasn't required if the reversing light was operated by the gearbox.
No thoughts on the spacer then?

Don't worry, no argument here I meant it, Roger knows his stuff, but like the other posters I thought that there had to be a light unless G lever operated

alanworland wrote:I have nearly finished my MM and am now confused about the spacer (shown in the manual) which is fitted between the eyebolt and the chassis leg, should it be there or not, as it will obviously alter the camber angle of the wheel. Originally on mine none were fitted although the car was fitted with the rubber bushed top links.

I've always fitted the spacer.
Often, the camber will still be out & a shim or 2 is needed to get it back to spec.

Eyebolt spacer. If its not meant to have one you will not be able to line up the eyebolt and the bracing strut to drop the nut & bolt through the hole.

Reversing light. Not a legal requirement, nor are rear fog lights or flashing indicators. My traveller has a 1275 Midget gearbox with reversing light switch. No problem, all legal.
My MM has a switched reversing light with a warning light built into the pull switch. The feed to the reversing light is from the sidelight teminal on the light switch so it won't get accidently left on.

On the subject of trafficators, you must be able to see them when they are on, ie in the wing mirrors, you must have a self cancelling switch or a timer switch, or you must have a warning light.

Depending on the age of the car, a lot of things are legal!!

Hi Folks

Well - what have I said, I was assuming all reversing lights to be gearbox operated & the thought of a manual one hadn't entered my head so I'm not sure about the warning light (he said, quickly backtracking)

Pobody's nerfect

Rog

Aha My faith is shattered...

Sorry to let you down matey - Was feeling weary as I'd had a long day - got up at 0330 - well I've got to keep these builders supplied with their goodies (oh no, I've probably got you chuntering now)

Rog

Eyebolt spacer. If its not meant to have one you will not be able to line up the eyebolt and the bracing strut to drop the nut & bolt through the hole.
I have fitted a spacer and it all looks ok except that the original 9/16 bsf nut is now too short for whats left of the thread and as I understand it I have to change it for a castelated nut and drill through the eyebolt thread for a splitpin.

An extra lock nut will suffice. Easier than drilling the bolt.

mike.perry wrote:An extra lock nut will suffice. Easier than drilling the bolt.

It sounds like there's not enough thread left for the standard nut, let alone a lock nut.

I'm curious as to how thick this spacer is though. The "standard" one fitted to the rubber top bushed Minors is only around 1/8" thick. With this fitted, you should have plenty of thread left for a spring washer & nut on the other side of the chassis rail.

My spacer appears to be about 5/16 thick although I can't think why it's this thick, and as a result of this the full nut with shakeproof washer on the inside of the chassis rail have run out of thread! I haven't got a major problem with it but I don't think it is right and I know Mr. MOT wouldn't like it. I have ordered myself a couple of castellated nuts from a local supplier in the hope I will be able to put a splitpin through.

I'd be getting hold of an original 1/8" spacer & fitting that to your eyebolt. At least you'll keep the MOT man happy.

After it's on the road (or before if you can), get a wheel alignment done & see what the camber figures are. If they are out on that side, then you might need to fit a spacer. Chances are, both sides will need a spacer or two to get the figures right.

If it does need the thick spacer, then something is bent.