Morris Minor Owners Club

Hi,

I am new to working on Travellers, and am looking for a bit of advice. The majority of the wood on my moggie is in reasonable condition. With a bit of care I think it will last a while. At least until funds/time allow more work! However the door post on the nearside is very badly rotten.

I have bought the replacement post, and am interested to know the best process of replacing it without disturbing too much else.

I notice that the post on the other side seems to be in two sections, with a join about halfway up. Is this normal? Or maybe someone has sawn it in half to make replacing it easy?

Cheers,

Chris.

I think you will pretty much need to take that whole side off to replace the doorpost - but someone with more timber experience will be along in a minute - i'm sure!

It sounds like someone's already replaced the other side then as the door posts on mine are a single piece each.

I've not had to replace any wood yet so can't advise, but I thought the horizontal pieces slotted into the door post. Apparently the whole frame can be removed in one go (see a recent thread) - that would let you fit the new door post. But I can understand the reluctance to pull the car apart if you can avoid it!

The waist rail is a 'halving joint' into the back of the B post, held by two screws from the inside (the rear door pillar has a mortise and tenon, again locked by two screws - which would be much harder to fit at the B pillar end) - On the B post it's the top rail and the foot block that cause the problems as they're supposed to be held in with a screw through the pillar (which you can't do as the steel 'B' post is in the way). The rear post isn't too horrible to do, but because they're the most expensive replacement part, they often get messed with - it sounds like the 'two part' side has already been bodged a bit!

Can you just clarify which post you need to replace: Is it the front one by the B post, or the rear one that carries the hinges for the rear door?

Catsoup, hello to you.

I would agree with bmcecosse. Unless you are a real ace with woodwork (and I am not) I reckon you really need to take most of the side off. If it's the forward post you mean i.e the one that abuts the BPost then that in turn is jointed to the Top rail, the waist rail, the rail sill and is bolted to the BPost. If it's the Rear (corner) Post that you mean then that is jointed to the rear wheel arch section, the rear (ladder)valence rail, rear top rail and off course the waist rail.

In the winter I started with the idea of replacing about four/five wooden sections and (as other members told me would happen) sections started falling to bits all over the place as soon I started stripping down. In the end I had to take off the entire near side and replace the lot. I have to admit that I am glad that I did. While some sections of wood appeared very sound, once they were removed I was astonished how bad a condition they were in.

The whole thing was very labour intensive - but not impossible. While I was at it, I replaced the window rails etc etc and finally had a traveller that didn't leak (well, not on the near side anyway!).

Hope this is of some use to you.

Regards

gppj25