Morris Minor Owners Club

Hi everyone, i have just inherited a Morris Minor from my uncle who has recently passed away, unfortunately i did not see him much before he passed so he didn't have chance to tell me what it was cobbled together using. I know that it has got a 1275 engine, have not got a clue what gearbox or axle, what i do know however is that its broken, took it out for a test drive down a private lane and the car was veering all over the road, i should stress at this point that its extremely non-standard. i have noticed when driving very slowly that the rear axle and diff tilts alarmingly, which (im just guessing) but does not seem normal ... or safe, any help would be much appreciated, will try and upload some pictures to give you a better idea, many thanks

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If the axle can 'tilt' - the perches must be rotted away. These are wedge shaped fittings that secure the axle to the springs. You can buy new and weld them on - or just pick up another axle.

Hi, more pics will help, some from the rear with car on flat area, climb under and take a photo's of the axle, spring hangers at four points where they fix to body and general area of concern. Great looking minor, have you driven one before or are you only used to moderns because it is a very different drive.

Is the car on tele shocks ?

sorry guys not had chance today, ill upload some pics for you tomorrow, there is no rust at all under the car, it was fully restored about 3-4 years ago, from what i can see it does look like there is something missing, all that the whole axle is held on by at the moment are the hubs and the prop shaft... and nothing else, it looks as if there should be something else there because there are two brackets on the axle doing absolutely nothing at all. I am 17 however me and my dad have had a number of classic cars which i have driven and got on with really well, but this is a whole new experience, even for my dad, will get the pics up asap tomorrow, thanks for the help guys !

It's possible that your late uncle was part way through a repair or modification, and that he has left something in a highly dangerous state. Since this car is, reasonably enough, way outside your knowledge and experience, I would seriously suggest leaving it where it is until a proper mechanic has looked over it. Don't even try to drive it or have it towed to a garage. People here will, I know, try to help from descriptions and photos, but, with all respect, you perhaps don't know what you're looking for well enough to describe or photograph the important bits. Describing an axle as "held on by ... the hubs and prop shaft" rather confirms this to me.

One further thought, before you commit too much money and mental effort to it: will you be able to insure such a mucked-around car for an amount you can afford to pay?

Kevin

Its not road legal at the moment, it has no tax or MOT, and after the axle has been moving around all over the place i really dont fancy driving it that much ! we are getting the car ready so that he will be able to drive it to shows and stuff, my dad does know what he is doing in terms of mechanics but i think this is a little beyond him also, we have the number of someone who says he will be able to come through and have a look so i think im just going to leave it to him, thanks for the help ![frame][/frame][frame][/frame][frame][/frame][frame][/frame][frame][/frame]

It all looks secure enough - but at the wrong angle, so yes I suspect the perches have rotted away allowing the axle to twist in the U bolts. They look like exhaust clamps fitted round the axle - goodness knows why - but they would be utterly useless as an effort to restrain the axle if that was somehow the intention...... The long screws sticking down through the floor with 'penny' washers on are presumably for a seat belt anchor. These washers are neither large enough nor thick enough to be effective - and the screws should be trimmed to correct length....... New perches and some welding - and it will be fine. Or as earlier - pick up another axle casing........

could the U bolts not just be loose ? that'd be the first thing I'd check

It's possible - they don't look all that tight in the top picture - but this may be because the perches have rotted away.....

The damper mounting bracket looks to be at a strange angle so I would also check the U bolts and whilst you are there check all the spring mountings.

whats that in the fourth picture,there's the bolt then a hole in the bit underneath, then a bracket near to and infront of the axle,its not had some sort of track control fitted using the exhaust clamps to hold the axle,can't work out what the fourth shows.

That bar is the handbrake cable!

The blob of chewing gum sealing a hole in the petrol tank looks a bit worrying.........