Morris Minor Owners Club

I've got the back axle and springs off the car whilst I replace the spring hangers and rear chassis legs (final welding this weekend). I've got a question about the leaf springs. The car had sat immobile since 1995 until I rescued it 6 months ago. Should I assume the leaf springs will need replaced or could I restore them? They don't appear to have sagged at all.
thanks
Alastair

Make sure you mark the springs from the side they came.

If the springs still have a decent 'Bow' shape to them, they should be OK.
Worth checking for lose or broken leaves by taking the entire spring to bits, but the centre bolt will probably be cold welded to the springs. A good blast with a blowlamp usually gets the bolt out, but you will most likely need a new one.

The springs only tend to surface rust. I just clean them off, paint with Hammerite #1 Rust Beater, then Chassis Black or Smoothrite Black.

Tip: If you go onto a suppliers website, a few have photographs of the new springs. You can compare the 'Bow' shape between old and new.

Its a deceivingly expensive job to replace the rear leaves.
Fair enough the springs are only £20 each but when you add in the rubber pads, bolts, pins, metal plates, bushes etc..etc.. you soon end up paying loads!
If you can get away without replacing them - go for it!

If not, 'Bull Motif' do a 'spring fitting kit' which includes all you need. Saves the bother of forgetting anything!

It doesn't matter which side they came off/go back on - don't worry about it. They will likely be fine unless you can see any cracks - and also look for how much wear there is where each leaf rubs on the next one (if more than just a slight touch - go for new) - also look to see how much the rear bump stops have been hammering on the chassis. If in any doubt - it's not a fortune to buy new ones.

Hello BMCE,

I agree that it doesn't matter which side, for rear springs, a different matter for fronts, so perhaps it's not a bad habit to get into fitting things back from where they came.

Alec

Oh - it's very important for the front torsion bars! Doesn't matter a hoot for the rear springs - in fact possibly a good idea to swap because the cars are often run with only the driver on board and so off side spring can settle a bit more than nearside - swap will even it out!

Thanks for all the advice people
Alastair