Morris Minor Owners Club

Hi
Can anyone help me ? yesterday heard a slight clonking noise from the n/s/f wheel area ! but as we carried on the journey the noise seemed to get worse - especially on right hand lock - didn't worry to much as only had a Mot 46 miles ago - but the noise got louder on the way home ! clonking/rubbing noise even when coasting out of gear - still more prominent on right hand lock - so have checked wheel bearing movement this morning seems ok ? but pulling at the top of the wheel can feel some movement ? can l safely assume l have developed a king pin fault ? or how do l check ?

Thanks for any assistance-advice not over mechanical minded - but feel unsure now as to using it ?

Put a jack under the bottom suspension arm as far out as you can. This needs to be done to take the load off the trunnions caused by the loading of the torsion bar.
Check again and you may then be able to feel/see wear/play in the top or bottom trunnions.
Check the eye bolt and top trunnion bushes for wear as well.
Do not use the car until you have checked all is alright.
You do not want the suspension to collapse when driving.

Thanks - will try in the half hour !

Hi Phil

Just tried to check front wheel - jacked up and yes the wheel when pulled side to side definitely makes a knock ! however when attempting to look at the king pin and top-bottom joints very hard to see movement - cleaned off some old grease but lying underneath and attempting to move wheel and inspect a little hard ! my metal knee s don't allow much flexibility either (no grease nipples fitted to them )

Think your advice as now confirmed to problem is in that area - no not intending to use it - local garage about a half mile away - have just booked it in for Tuesday

Thanks again for advice much appreciated

Strange for something like that to develop 'suddenly' and to be noticeable as you list. It's usually just a single 'clonk' as the steering is turned. Are you SURE the wheel nuts are all tight????

Thanks BMC !

Yes they are tight ! did check them first ha ha ! strange but about six weeks ago l heard this noise (not as loud) thought at first it was a warning sign of a wheel bearing - but it vanished after about 25 mile - then l did approx. 600 ml took it for mot and only had advisory for rear stab arm bushes - which l have now purchased . when the noise came yesterday we were 50 ml from home - it started - stopped and then became louder and more often ! today its there all the time !

My only surprise is that l take it to a local garage - because his wife s got one - and nothing showed up on MOT - 76 miles ago

But thanks for reply to post - Dave

Check urgently if the damper mounting bolts are tight! And the eyebolt and tiebar mounts - and chassis condition at these points. It doesn't sound like typical kingpin/trunnion problem to me.... And - what's a rear stab bar ?

Have checked s/abs and chassis as recently all been professionally repaired - so will have another look ! now rear stab links ? After now showing my ignorance and being a avid fan of your comments ! l expect you to educate me ha ha
the small links that fit to the rear dampers -


Dave

I guessed it could be that...

UPDATE -

Thanks for responses ! after having done all the obvious checks and one suggested - l took her into my local garage - the owner who does own a morris 1000 himself - checked it all over and we have had to come to a joint decision due to lack of evidence !

We are going to renew the hub bearing ! its got no play in it - but when stripped expect a fault in that area ? poss that the bearing cage/gate may have broken ? we see no other option !

thanks again for advice given and hopefully a premium bearing kit will arrive tomorrow from bull motif and confirm our thoughts !


Dave

VERY unlikely to make a 'knock' - the simple test would be to swap hubs side to side - to see if the noise follows... The SURE way to check kingpin/trunnion wear is to strip it off and inspect/test the parts together off the car....