Morris Minor Owners Club

I'm not sure about this one. With just one or two people in the car (it's used primarily for me to drive to work in and to get home after a night out) it's absolutely fine - handles like a dream and irons out all but the worst bumps in the 10 miles of country lane I have to drive along to get to the main road - but with three people in it it's constantly smacking the rear bump stops and God help me if I have four people in the car. I don't have particularly fat friends either Are my springs knackered or are Moggys just rubbish with any more than two people in them? I'm taking myself and two friends (plus a weekend's camping gear) on a 180 mile round journey at the beginning of July and if I can fix the rear suspension to give a better ride it'd help keep us all sane, especially as I tend to keep to B roads and country lanes to keep out of traffic's way (55mph tends to [Don't swear or you will be banned - Admin] other people on the motorway off). Any help would be appreciated. It's a 1968 4dr Saloon btw. Thanks guys.

Are the bump stops in place at the rear and are they in good condition.

After that I would drain the rear (and front) shock absorbers and replace the fluid with a straight SAE30 engine oil, not mutligrade.

Then see what difference it makes.

The rear suspension in our 58 Convertible was very hard...on inspection, the back of the springs was touching the chassis section...i.e. the shackle had no-where to move on hitting a bump.

I replaced with new springs & bushes a week or so ago.
Huge improvement in ride.
Not too difficult a job, but quite physical. First one took me 3 hours, second 2 hours

If you do replace the springs, check that the dampers are OK while you are on.

Leaf springs on a non independent rear suspension are never going to be as smooth or quiet as a modern car, but they are perfectly adequate if all in good condition.

As far as motorway driving goes...if I irritate people by not going as fast as they do, that's their problem. Personally I like to use M-ways as I consider that, if the speed is reasonable, then it puts very little stress on the car compared with the stop-start traffic on the third world roads we have to put up with.

regards

Chris

You can cut ~ 1" from the bump stops to give extra clearance - but if (as above) the spring shackle is hitting the chassis leg - then you need new springs. If you regularly carry heavy loads - consider fitting the 7 leaf Trav springs - you can always remove a leaf if you find them just TOO firm..... And Richard has pretty much listed my 'standard' cure for the dampers !

It has Spax telescopics on the front so the front lever dampers simply locate the suspension. The rear dampers were refilled just under a year ago for the MOT and both certainly still had fluid in them when I replaced both the rods that link them to the chassis a month ago - so much so I could barely move them by hand. I will try to acquire some SAE30 and flush both with new oil though, see if that helps. When I last checked ride height at the back it didn't seem low, but I'll take some photos soon and see what you guys think. Bull Motif has a spring set for £85-90 including bushes, ESM has springs for (I think) £26/spring excl bushes, are the BM ones worth the extra money if I do have to go down the new spring route?

Heavy loads aren't a regular occurrence, as I said 75% of my driving - if not more - is commuting to work/college and the odd social event but I dread having any more than one passenger in the car with me as it turns into a total pig to drive and it does happen, especially if the parents want to come for a ride or if I have a couple of friends with me.

I replaced the rear springs on my Traveller (I use BM as they are local to me - no postage). What a difference. I have teles front and rear as well. Check/ replace the bump stops whilst you are at it. Worth every penny. We have a 6 man v. large tent and all the camping and the car handling is fine.

I bought the "total spring kit" from BM...springs, all fittings & bushes for both sides. No carriage charge if bought on line.
Very happy with it.

Ok here are a couple of pictures. At rest with nobody in the car the rear shackles are about 90* to the chassis, with no sign of touching the chassis behind them.


Bump stops are about an inch, maybe an inch and a half away from the chassis - normal? As you can see, where the bump stops hit the chassis is well used...


http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos- ... 3453_n.jpg

How would one go about making the bump stops a little shorter? Jigsaw? How much would I take off? Thanks guys.

Just use a hacksaw and a spray bottle with water to help lubricate the cut. It only takes minutes- try to keep a taper shape on the rubber - ending up about an inch shorter.

Thank you muchly, I shall try this out when I next get the chance. I'll post back with results soon.