ESM suspension

[rossrox]

hey all, soon i will be buying my suspension and i am getting this http://morrisminorspares.co.uk/shop/pro ... b448b52919 has anyone fitted this and has anyone got any pictures of it or one of the cheaper ones, also does the bar get bolted on or welded on???

cheers for any answers in advance

RR

[Peetee]

If this is the same kit that has been produced for a number of years now then it is not uncommon for it to crack across the cross member.

[bmcecosse]

I haven't heard of anyone fitting 'coil-over' suspension at the rear of a Minor! If it replaces the leaf springs - I would worry about the axle location - how well is that controlled - and if it simply boosts the rear leaf springs (ie gives harder suspension) then consider simply fitting the 7 leaf Traveller springs - which will also kill axle tramp! I certainly would NOT be doing this coil-over modification - it's very far from the top priority - and as above - even just with rear tele dampers some kits give problems with cracking.

[billlobban]

Would appear very similar to the common telescopic conversion kit but with Spax coil spring units. Surely its not for replacing the leaf springs. If it is I would be dubious about its ability to control the axle.

[PSL184]

I guess it is only intended for use after you have 5 linked the rear axle
Hence the fact that it is not suitable for vans and pickups.....

[rossrox]

ok, im almost definatly not going to be getting this kit!!!
what is the best rear suspension kit to have??? my budget is £400

Cheers

[rossrox]

and i suppose whilst were talking about suspension ill ask about my front sus too!
basically i was going to buy the same kit as that but for the front http://morrisminorspares.co.uk/shop/pro ... c5f17a77f3 is that anygood or is it like the rear 'crap'???

cheers for your help guys

[simmitc]

The best rear suspension kit depends on what power you're trying to put down. For a standard car then the best kit is the one that came with the car, but with new bushes and mounting pads. One step up is to use something to improve axle location.

[chickenjohn]

I'll be the first one to suggest that you speak to Jonothan of JLH, as I understand he is an expert on Morris Minor modifications and his company sells a lot of modified kits and parts.

Sadly, he does not seem to come here that often these days

Why do you want to change all the suspension anyway?? The standard set up seems perfectly fine on my cars.

As for the above post, replace all the bushes and any worn parts and change the oil in the dampers and the car will ride and drive a lot better if yours is currently tired.

[linearaudio]

Utterly fraught with peril!!

All those kits with thin section plates and sections are going to be suspect for longevity ( not criticising any particular supplier, note!) The standard front set up is fundamentally sound, just because it uses torsion bars doesn't make it worse performing than coil-overs. Like the rear set-up- you cannot remove the rear leaf springs without doing some very fancy location work to replicate the leaf-it is a spring and axle locator.
If you fit these coil-overs at the front, how are you going to locate the bottom of the wheel hub? The torsion bar not only springs, but locates as well. The old engineers weren't so daft

I am quite happy with my front end, its the variable ride quality of the back that gets me. The parabolic springs came out way over rated, they are now being re-formatted down to an appropriate level. When they turn up, I am expecting some interesting results. Marinas and late Mk2 Escorts used parabolics, so not cutting edge stuff!

[jonathon]

The kit shown is a general assist kit to run alongside the standard springs less the lever arm damper. The O Burton/ESM front coil over kit runs along the same principal. You have to decide whether the coils are necessary for your application or simply use gas dampers. I'd rather go coils plus std torsion bars than the uprated bars alone, so long as the dampers are easily adjustable and the increments are of use.
You also need to ask are the rear dampers sited in the best possible way for effective damping. As I say research fully the market place and ask questions.

[rossrox]

Basically i am wanting to change suspension because im dropping in a toyota 4age engine to a ford type 9 box through to an escort mk 2 axle... so im wanting to upgrade suspension and brakes obviously!!!
i thought i had suspension thought out but now im not too sure what to do...
i have spoken to jono form jlh and just awaiting a reply but i was just trying to get some personal expieriance and oppinions from people.

Cheers!!!

[Mogwai]

Ive had both on mine. The bolt on crosmember type worked ok & was an improvement over the standard setup. I didn't suffer any chassis cracking but the lower brackets for the dampers would break occasionally (may have been down to the type of dampers fitted topping out). I have since binned that & fitted a JLH kit, Its more involved to fit as requires careful alignment & welding to fit. Major improvement in ride & roadholding, when the dampers are wound down its very smooth & absorbs traffic calming measures well or they can be wound up enough to shake your fillings out if you desire

[bmcecosse]

The 'poor man' s (ie ME !) suspension upgrade is to fit urethane bushes all round - and stiffen the damping by draining/filling the existing dampers with SAE 40 oil. If a saloon - fit the Traveller 7 leaf springs for a stiffer rear end with less 'wallowing' . If you have cash to spend - I suggest you can't do better than visit the JLH site ( http://www.jlhmorrisminors.co.uk/) where a full range of seemingly well engineered upgrades are on show - to suit all pockets! The suspension kits that use the existing front damper mounting bolts to hold a silly plate - to which a wee thin tele damper is attached at the top and a U bolt calmp fixes it to the lower arm - should be avoided. Especially as they tell you to take the valve out of the existing damper to stop it damping! Why ? Because the bolts won't take the load of both dampers at the same time. The lever arm dampers are just folded up tele dampers anyway - with the great benefit of being easily adjusted by changing the viscosity of the oil........ !

[rossrox]

thanks for everyones replys, currently talking to jono to see what he thinks. and the ESM suspension will be put on hold.