Engine Steady Bar

Post by **Kevin** » Tue May 18, 2004 10:12 am

A friend has just had her engine steady break away

from just under the battery end for the 2nd time after a welded repair broke, has anyone come up with a permanent fix to this problem or is it just simpler to go with the Grumpys kit that locates in a different position, and yes its causing the exhaust to knock on the crossmember as it did the 1st time it snapped.

Post by **57traveller** » Tue May 18, 2004 11:08 am

Is it possible that it's being tightened too much Kevin?
I've not used the Grumpy's kit but seen it in use. If originality is not needed then it's possibly a feasable alternative. Also saves having another welding job done which might fail again.

Post by **Kevin** » Tue May 18, 2004 11:40 am

Is it possible that it's being tightened too much Kevin?

Knowing the car and owner I would very much doubt it but I have heard of this happening quite a few times on different cars where it fractures at the bulkhead and the repair was done at a minor specialist, but personally I have not had it happen

yet. So was just wondering if anyone on here had experience of the problem.

Post by **Cam** » Tue May 18, 2004 11:43 am

Yes mine was broken (previous owner's BAD repair). I made a 'grumpy's style' bracket but it was not very good. In the end I welded a large flat bar of steel to crossmember just above the OS damper, extended the steady bar and used that. So far so good.

Post by **57traveller** » Tue May 18, 2004 12:01 pm

Never personally had the bracket fracture but it looks as though it's happened at sometime in the past on my Traveller as there is evidence of a weld repair under the battery tray. Like Cam, so far so good.

Just another thought, are the engine and gearbox mounting rubbers in good condition? If not, may cause the engine/box to move excessively and thus place extra strain on the steady bar.
Or was it just a "bum" weld repair? But then again two times!?

Post by **rayofleamington** » Tue May 18, 2004 1:34 pm

It was broken off on my first Minor, and when I got someone to make one for me to fit the battery box, which also broke, then got re-welded and broke again.
I converted to the Grumpys kit which was a 10 minute job. The only thing to watch is that the bolt holes are clearance so the braket will eventually shake loose if you drive very aggressively. All that it needs is an annual check of the securing bolts to see they are still holding tight.

Is Grumpy's closing down?? (stock clearance is advertised). If so, it might be best to hurry up with ordering one.

Post by **Gareth** » Tue May 18, 2004 2:19 pm

I've got a Grumpy's one. Fitted in a trice, and hasn't needed fiddling with since. IT was probably one of the first jobs I did on Phyllis, and it's still there!

It could be a good option, but if the car keeps breaking steady bars, maybe the engine mountings require a little attention??

Post by **rayofleamington** » Tue May 18, 2004 3:15 pm

if the car keeps breaking steady bars, maybe the engine mountings require a little attention??

no, in my case it was just the driver

However I never managed to break a Grumpy's one, and I've not broken them on any of the other (9

) Minors yet.

Post by **brixtonmorris** » Tue May 18, 2004 4:25 pm

what about reverse gear with the engine steady missing

Post by **Willie** » Tue May 18, 2004 6:42 pm

My convertibles steady was broken when I bought it so I
welded in a new section. So far so good but it seems to me
that Mr Grumpy's modified assembly is a good idea because
the steady bar is more at a right angle to the engine so there
must be a more direct control of engine movement??