Morris Minor Owners Club

I am having lots of trouble with the rear springs on my traveller going prematurely soft. Just been sent another new set of differing design, but rear still appears low/ not much clearance between bump stop and chassis plate. Has anyone any ride height figures/ tolerances for rear AND front so I can investigate further. It has been said that I can buy or make longer shackles to jack the back up, but should I be needing to do this? The front doesn't appear particularly over high, but the back looks flat heading to saggy when unladen! Any pointers gratefully received. Thanks, Pete.

about 2 inches clear to the bump stop

are the springs from the same supplier
and of course they are 7 leafs

Could well be your chassis has 'opened up' over the ages - or new front mounts have been welded on slightly too far forwrad - or new rear mounts have been installed too far back. It wouldn't take much to set the vehicle low at the back. You can cut 1.5" off the bump stops - to give some working clearance - without the car looking stupidly low. Wheel base should be 86" - may be worth measuring it ?

Springs from same supplier, definitely differently stock though, different strap design, and they rattle loosely which the other two sets didn't. Just done a check on level ground, no-one in front, one 11 year old girl in back. Car lists noticeably low to the right when she sits that side (latest spring fitted that side), if she moves to the left (previous spring still fitted) it lists less to the left, giving the impression that it is now even softer than before. With her on the right ALONE in the car, there is approx 3/4" clear from bump stop to chassis. Eye bolt positions in chassis have been checked, measure 43.5" front to rear and confirmed OK by ESM and others who know about such dimensions. I would like a reference height from ground to, say bumper c/l or some such, front and rear so I can see where my car is wrong ie high at front/ low at back? Or any other thoughts??

And yes, Mr Pickup, they are & leafers, maybe another couple wouldn't go amiss though

Definitely not supposed to 'rattle'. Send it back - again.

You need to look at the suspension as a whole. Start at the front and adjust the torsion bars then work your way back. When I lifted the front it improved the back.

At the very worst has anyone tried longer rear shackles they'd be easy to make and simple to fit.

Very easy to make - flat bar with holes !

Parked next to another traveller in car park today, (as you do!), got measuring stick out. Mine is sitting about an inch lower at the back, given that people say I should have around 2" clear betwixt bump stop & chassis, and I have 1/2-3/4" that all seems to stack! I can easily make longer shackles, but why should this be needed? Front was sitting same height as "checking sample". I am concerned at the actual spring rate, as a small load seems to make the rear squat. Does someone have the spring load/inch? I could easily throw some bags of stone in the back at the local hardware store, settle the springs and calculate the drop!! We have very accommodating shops round here!!

At the moment my wife has been taken into care, and I am having to beat a redhead school mum off with a stick , so I don't need any extra problems like this Don't even think about the old excuse for overloading the rear seat/springs, as I said I've got a BIG stick

" I've got a BIG stick " Oh errr missus!