Morris Minor Owners Club

Whilst searching for something completely different, I noticed that ESM are now stocking Superflex bushes including the tie bar bushes that have the correct locating projection on the front. Expensive but they are the best. Annoyingly the tie bar bushes are only in sets of 4 and my experience has been that it is not possible to fit 2 polyurethane bushes per side. It only worked for me with a rubber bush behind and a polyurethane bush in front.

Stephen

https://www.morrisminorspares.com/search/superflex

As regards poly bushes - The bushes used in the Minor spring eyes (except commercial models) and the eye bolt are one and the same bush even though they may be listed under different part numbers.
The variances in the outer face of the spring and eye bolt bushes are not required.
The same applies to the rubber bush versions.
Even if you managed to fit two poly bushes to the front of the tie bar there will be insufficient flexibility in the bushes to allow for the correct articulation of the tie rod. As stated above - rubber bush behind the tie bar bracket and a poly bush in front of the tie bar bracket.

"Even if you managed to fit two poly bushes to the front of the tie bar there will be insufficient flexibility in the bushes to allow for the correct articulation of the tie rod."
What would be the consequences of that be, Phil?

The consequences would be the possible detachment of the tie bar bracket from the main chassis rail.
There does need to be sufficient allowed movement of the tie rod to move in an arc without putting undue stress on the spot welds holding the tie bar bracket in place.
If there is any corrosion in and around the tie bar bracket to the main chassis rail any restriction in movement will eventually tear the tie bar bracket from the main chassis rail.
Because of the above and requiring a positive front location of the tie bar I have elected to delete the rubber/poly bushes and fit a rose joint instead.

philthehill wrote: ↑Sun Apr 27, 2025 11:32 am Because of the above and requiring a positive front location of the tie bar I have elected to delete the rubber/poly bushes and fit a rose joint instead.

Can you post a photo please Phil?

philthehill wrote: ↑Sun Apr 27, 2025 11:32 am The consequences would be the possible detachment of the tie bar bracket from the main chassis rail.
There does need to be sufficient allowed movement of the tie rod to move in an arc without putting undue stress on the spot welds holding the tie bar bracket in place.
If there is any corrosion in and around the tie bar bracket to the main chassis rail any restriction in movement will eventually tear the tie bar bracket from the main chassis rail.

Thanks Phil, something to avoid then!

Only avoid putting two poly bushes on the tie bar.

philthehill wrote: ↑Mon Apr 28, 2025 8:08 am Tie bar front mount.jpg

Looks good, is that an adjustable tie-bar? Is the rose joint available as a part from suppliers?

Thanks,Neil

The tie bar is adjustable.
The conversion as fitted is not available from suppliers.
It is a philthehill conversion of a classic Mini rose jointed tie bar.
You have to machine a stepped washer to fit into the front face of the tie bar bracket after removing the two cups welded either side of the tie bar bracket.
The original Minor 1/2" dia bar is threaded 1/2" UNF at the front to fit into the 1/2" female rose joint.
My later modified tie bars have a R/H & L/H adjusting sleeve in the middle of the tie rod so that you do not have to disconnect the tie bar to adjust.

I see, and the stepped washer fits in the original tie-bar bracket and locates the bolt on the end of the bracket for the adjustable tie bar?
Presumably the washer is 1/2" inner dia?

The machined to suit stepped washer fits into the tie bar bracket from the front and the 'U' bracket to the rear. The stepped washer and the 'U' bracket are then clamped hard against either side of the tie bar bracket by tightening the 'U' bracket bolt. I have used Loctite Bearing Loc to make sure that the stepped washer does not move in the tie bar bracket.
If I remember correctly I machined to suit the stepped washer off the rear end of a Minor torsion bar. That washer has a 1/2" internal dia hole.
The rose joint and adjustable tie bar has been used successfully in many track speed events on tarmac without any problems arising.
I do not know how the tie bar bracket would face up to being used on a rough surface with the rose joint fitted. My preference/advice is to only use the rose joint on smooth tarmac surfaces.
https://www.minispares.com/c-ajj3365-ti ... inted-pair

I was going to ask how it copes with the reduced compliance/resilience between the tie-rod & the chassis leg. I guess for normal road use this set up isn't really necessary, and may be harmful on rough roads.
Could you do it the other way round, fit the rose joint between tie-rod & lower wishbone, and retain poly/rubber bushes in the chassis mounting?

You could but IMHO it would achieve little.