Morris Minor Owners Club

The rear suspension on my 63- 4 door has always been 'bumpy' but I have noticed it has 7 leaf springs fitted instead of 5. I don't know why this has been done, but am sure they are wrong. I suspect they are making the ride worse.

Are new springs the best bet for a smoother ride, or would the second hand ones I've got be just as good? They appear to be ok, and were taken off a car of similar age?

Also does the upgraded rear telescopic shock absorbers result in an improved ride? Any experiences?

Many thanks

John

Your saloon should have 5 leaf springs for a smooth ride. I changed mine to 7 leaf traveller springs for a harder ride.

New springs would be better from a fatigue point of view, but if you have some 5 leaf ones in pretty good nick, then fit those.

The telescopic dampers offer a HUGE improvement, but if you are not that bothered about the rear axle bouncing over pot-holes, then keep them standard. They don't really alter the slow undulating movements so much as the sharp ones (that cause the bouncing!).

I changed my original 7 leaf springs(1957 car) to 5 leaf as
I didn't like the hard ride. I have also fitted rear telescopics
and greatly prefer my present set up to the original,and I
have no trouble with axle tramp. Your car has the wrong springs
because,presumably,a previous owner was more interested in
performance then comfort.