Morris Minor Owners Club

i think it would have been put there for a reason!

bolting it in place would do very little, as it would have nothing to react against, and you'd find that if your wheelarch dome did deform from a bump then the plate would be pushed up and probably damage the bonnet.

sounds like you'd better get the welder out David!

just as well the welder isn't far, I wonder if I can do a damage limitation exersize in getting that on, is it spot welded on? if so I could plug weld it and only effect the minimum amount of bodywork paint.

Yes its spotwelded

David

I would have put a generous helping of copper grease on the handbrake cable end and the clevis pin and split pin
to discourage the rusting process ( from all the muck and water that get thrown up underneath ).
A smooth efficient brake operation on the vehicle is conducive to happy and safe motoring.

Bob

davidmiles wrote:[frame][/frame]

It also looks as though you don't have the proper spring retaining plate and the proper rubber spring mounting bush between the bottom of the axle and the spring. This may mean that the rear axle is not located properly and the rear "self steers" while driving- dangerous! That is, if the MOT inspector does not spot that and the pick-up goes on the road. That is a certain MOT fail as the rear suspension would be improperly secured.

Good idea to take it to ESM for a check, It might also be a good idea to seek the help of a mechanically knowledgable local branch member who has stripped down and re-built a few Minor rear axles and knows how they go back together properly to have a look as ESM may not spot everything.

CJ - your sounding like a broken record! He has already said he will be taking it to ESM for a thorough going over before it goes for an MOT so I don't think you need to keep repeating yourself!

Matt, I've only said that twice! Hardly "broken record". And I hadn't seen the ESM bit. I have changed my post now.

Is it not allowed to give friendly helpful advice on this forum anymore? Certainly where safety items are concerned such as brakes and the security of suspension mountings etc. I'm only trying to help out here.....

Are you telling me off for helping people??

David, a workshop manual such as the old Haynes or the BMC workshop manual is a great help in these assembly jobs as these have detailed diagrams of of how all the parts of the car go back together. And the devil is in the detail as they say. Can be picked up from Ebay for just a few quids.

Im sure I read it more times than that... - but didn't check because I am on my mobile (very slow)

And I didn't mean to imply useful advice is a bad thing or that you shouldn't give it out! Especially when you see a saftey issue!

The lcv rear axle mounts use steel plates as opposed to the rubber inbetween on the saloons etc, so it looks to be assembled ok from what I can make out.

I must admit there are many areas I'm thinking about, brakes, lights, front bumpstop bracket, will the engine work? But the rear axle wasn't something I had any doubts about, it's as steady as the rock of Gibralter. There's no possible way the axle can self steer that way its bolted up with five bolts including the one through the bottom, but I'll take another look at it as its been brought up.[frame][/frame]

you do appear to be missing all four spring locating plates:

http://morrisminorspares.co.uk/shop/pro ... 21016765a7

you say it's solid as a rock, so you may not want to bother, but (sorry to sound like a broken record here) i imagine they were designed and fitted for a reason!

I would never be presumtive over structure safety, so I'll take another look and also bring it to the examiners attention, in about a years time when its ready for its MOT.[frame][/frame]

in the meantime Ive discovered another fluid leak on my freshly cleaned garage floor, I can't see a brass /copper washer in there so thats next on my to do list, but I'm back to work after my easter break so it will have to wait a while.[frame][/frame]

As I mentioned earlier, the pick-up and van rear spring locating plates are different, being solid metal 5/16'' thick, (no rubber involved) one at the top and one at the bottom, and unless my eyes deceive me, the picture shows them in place.

Thanks Les, thought I didn't remember seeing those saloon spring plates fitted to this when I stripped it down, neither the original relic and the basket case I purchased, had them fitted. The ESM diagram Chris kindly put up does show the saloon type rear damper with the spring plates. I have spent my teabreak thinking how I could suspend the axle and rear chassis to fit them, now I realise the pickups and vans didn't have them.[frame][/frame]

you know how I love my old and new comparison pictures, brand new ignition solenoid and flasher unit with their scrap contemporaries.[frame][/frame]

I've provisionally fitted them, half expecting someone to tell me they are not quite right, any constructive critisism is very welcome, no matter how bad news it is.[frame][/frame]

ESM sell a bulkhead sound deadening kit in a roll and a cut to shape bulkhead insulation kit, I wonder if they are the same thing, or do heat and noise seperatley. I think I'll have to fit one or both before I start on the wiring here[frame][/frame]

sorry for the confusion on the spring locating plates, i never knew the lcvs were different!

solenoid and flashers look ok, do make sure when you fit your battery and starter motor leads that the brown wire you've already fitted is on the same side of the solenoid as the lead to the battery, not the starter!

[frame][/frame]

you've got the brown wire on the terminal nearer the front of the car, but i dont think it matters as long as it's on the same terminal as the battery lead. hope the above pic is of some use!

and you've got a marina gear knob....