Morris Minor Owners Club

I have been looking into changing my leaf springs from the orginal 5 to 7 (1961 rag top) but have read that the design change from 7 to 5 on convertibles and saloons in Dec.58 included an increase in leaf thickness from 7/32 to 1/4 inch. Not sure now what difference this change would make as the decrease in leaves came with an increse in thickness, is the old 7 leaf spring any different to the thicker 5 leaf? Probably been discussed before but don' want to do this mod if there is no real improvement.[frame][/frame]

The Traveller and later car springs have the same thickness leaves 1/4", the Traveller has 7 leaves, the car has 5 leaves. The early seven leaf car springs were thinner leaves 7/32". Fitting the Traveller 7 leaf springs to a car will jack the back end up, raising the centre of gravity and spoiling the handling and giving a firmer ride. Keep your 5 leaf springs .

Yes I agree with Mike, makes the suspension very 'solid' and sits too high with traveller springs.

it used to be quite common to wrap the springs in material to help stiffen them up.Might be worth waxoyling them first incase any water gets in there.