Morris Minor Owners Club

Hi All,

I have my MM front suspension in bits to clean it up and replace worn bushes etc. The botton trunnions on both sides are on VV tight and before I go and do something silly I just wondered how to get them off. I think one is a right hand thread and the other is a left hand thread but I was using a vice, some large levers, release oil and heat and the trunnions barely moved.

Am I missing something or do I just need bigger muscles?

Lastly the bushes in the bottom trunnion are a metal type rather than rubber or poly bush. Should they be able to be drifted out?

Thanks, Jeff

The trunnions must be seized Jeff. Apply release oil and work them back and forth - they will come free eventually, and yes the left side is left hand thread. The bushes in the bottom can I suppose be renewed - if you can find replacements. I simply had slightly oversize pins made at work (back in the bad days when I had to work - aghhh!) - and ran a reamer through the old bushes! In fact - most of the wear seems to happen on the pins - maybe all you need is two new pins ? Otherwise - may be better to just buy two new bottom trunnions complete - and keep them well greased !!

just in case you didn't realise - the trunnions won't come off when the pivot pin is in place!

I assume that by MM you were refering to Series MM.
If you find that your swivel pin threads are worn then visit the Series MM website, click on Technical Info and scroll down to Swivel Pin Modification. This will explain how to modify your front suspension so that you can use M 1000 swivel pins and still keep your Series MM brakes and wheels.

Well - the trunnions can still 'fall' off quite successfully with the pivot pins in place - so the interference must be slight. But it is a good point although should be fairly obvious - the trunnion will turn so far and then bind on the pivot pin.

well some things that are obvious if you have done a few times etc, may not be obvious for the first time

we must not assume that things are obvious must we

Hi All, Thanks for the advice.

Sorry to be misleading by MM I meant Morris Minor and its a 1968. I have the suspension leg off the car and taken the small swivel pin out of the trunnion. Is there something else I am missing as I can't see what would stop the trunnion turning. I haven't been at it for a few days - due to work - but heat and plus gas was helping so I just assumed it was seized on.

Jeff

Yes - well and truly seized. It will just be old hard grease - so continue with the heat and plus-gas every 4 hours until relief is obtained!

If it is that stiff you might be safer chucking it in the corner of the garage and fitting a new unit. It is embarassing when your suspension collapses on the road. I know ,I've done it and all the MMOC committee were there to witness the event.

There are no new ones for another few weeks, sadly