Morris Minor Owners Club

I am new here and it is about 40 years since I last had a Morris Minor.

Two things have happened in the intervening period:
1) I am forty years older and my memory is not what it was.
2) The cars are forty years older.

Anyway, I am trying to diagnose a suspension clatter that needs attention.
The noise comes from the front. Rough location is behind or below the heater. It happens as the suspension first rises or falls over a bump. It is a sharp metallic clatter.

I have checked dampers for fluid and tightness, put a crowbar wherever I think I should around the front suspension and pumped grease (I know) into the steering rack. There seems to be some in-out play in the steering rack but very little play at the steering wheel. I cannot replicate the noise. I have also checked the engine stabilising bar since I remember one of these making an awful racket if the anchorage point on the car is broken (or was that in a mini?).

So, I tend to think the steering rack is the culprit. What would the experts say?

Hi Michael
If it were the Steering Rack, I would expect something other than 'Clatter'; I would expect a noticeable problem with the steering.
Have you checked the rest of the suspension?
Trunnions?

Hi Mickael, Finding out the cause of these noises is always difficult. It is hard for a third party to imagine the same noises that you are experiencing. If you can jack the car up and replicate the noise by pussing, pulling and banging various parts of the front suspension and steering you may be able to isolate its origins. You seem to have been thorough as you checked the engine steady. My Traveller makes a clunk when I drive over a pot-hole but it is not a concern to me. Good luck with you quest to find the culprit.

Thanks for the replies. Since there is no unanimous confirmation that this is common with a worn steering rack I think I need to get under it with the suspension under half load and have a good go at the eye bolt bushes.

Check the damper mount bolts as they are prone to becoming slack even with the lock tabs in place.
I suspect that the eye bolt bushes have worn and the eye bolt pin is knocking against the eye.
Replace the rubber bushes with poly bushes and fit a grease nipple to the underside of the eye. Use general purpose grease to lubricate. Also check the condition of the tie bar rubbers.
If they are suspect replace the front bush with a poly bush (for braking resistance) and the rear bush with a rubber bush (for articulation.

I can't claim to be an expert (though I am sure many others will do!) but I certainly would not rule out the steering rack. I've had similar symptoms in the past that were indeed caused by the rack. It's completely feasible to have play in the rack which can lead to a rattle without having other symptoms relating to the steering such as tightness etc. (though you may well be able to detect play when the car is jacked up). I'd also check the rack is securely mounted - i.e. is not coming loose. Additionally, sometimes loose shock absorber bolts can cause a similar noise though I guess it's less likely these would sound as though they are coming from behind the heater as are more to the side of the car and, having checked your post properly, you've checked these already!