Morris Minor Owners Club

I would absolutely love some help to restore my Morris. She is in ok condition, but failed a lot on her MOT, so I would love to make her safe for me to drive and fix what I can and look after her. All I'm able to do at the moment is clean her and make her all shiny and happy.

I have original manuals that I need to read up on, but I'm more of a visual guide kinda girl or happy chatting through things too.
Obviously we're in a little tricky situation at the moment, but hoping that I can at least make a start.

Anyone want to be my buddy?

Hi 'elinordraper'
it would help to say where you are, just to the nearest Town, as there are people frequenting these forums from all around the UK and some globally.

What sort of MOT fails did you get, stuff that can be replaced, or things like welding of rust damage?

A location would help your plight, also the mot failure sheet.
I have put a couple of videos on you tube regarding morris minor buyers guide and rust finding, have a look at the videos it may give you an idea what's involved they are not professional videos I made them for a mate of mine.

https://youtu.be/FKDpm3aoyi4

https://youtu.be/MevDwct0mog

As above, your general location would help. Joining the MMOC will give you access to local branches where you get social activities as well as local advice and expertise; and of course this board will always help out with advice. Could you post the MOT failure list and a couple of pictures of the car so that we know what we're talking about? If needed, there are also plenty of professional restorers around; and whilst he Club does not make recommendations, as individuals we can share experiences of who to avoid.

Hi Elinor
I have posted you a private message to come back to this site with info on car location, and the MOT fail details.
Cheers John

Have some of these posts been deleted ?

Yes.

OK thanks for update !

Too late, looks like the damage has been done.

les wrote: ↑Tue May 05, 2020 12:19 pm Too late, looks like the damage has been done.

Why so quick to codemn? I looked at this, and the poster concerned was last active on the forum about 15 minutes after they made this post and hasn't been back since, so hasn't seen any replies. I'm all for inclusiveness, but less keen on self-flagellation - I've removed some irrelevant posts from the thread but I didn't see anything that made me think anyone needed sanctioning.

Admin wrote: ↑Tue May 05, 2020 1:31 pm

les wrote: ↑Tue May 05, 2020 12:19 pm Too late, looks like the damage has been done.

I looked at this, and the poster concerned was last active on the forum about 15 minutes after they made this post and hasn't been back since, so hasn't seen any replies.

Sorry Mike but not strictly true.
If she/they remembered they had made the post in Restoration Projects, possibly book marking the page or more likely with a under 45 simply left it active on their phone browser, then they could see everything going on without Login back in.

The Activity aspect of the Forum only shows when people last logged in.
As it's a public forum, anyone can view what's going on.
I suspect many of the infrequently visiting members, e.g. those who seem to only post when they want a question answered every few years, keep up to date by simply 'Lurking' without signing back in.

geoberni wrote: ↑Tue May 05, 2020 2:50 pm

Admin wrote: ↑Tue May 05, 2020 1:31 pm

les wrote: ↑Tue May 05, 2020 12:19 pm Too late, looks like the damage has been done.

I looked at this, and the poster concerned was last active on the forum about 15 minutes after they made this post and hasn't been back since, so hasn't seen any replies.

Sorry Mike but not strictly true.
If she/they remembered they had made the post in Restoration Projects, possibly book marking the page or more likely with a under 45 simply left it active on their phone browser, then they could see everything going on without Login back in.

The Activity aspect of the Forum only shows when people last logged in.
As it's a public forum, anyone can view what's going on.
I suspect many of the infrequently visiting members, e.g. those who seem to only post when they want a question answered every few years, keep up to date by simply 'Lurking' without signing back in.

We're in danger of drifting so far off topic that we can't see it any more (and wouldn't it be ironic if the original poster didn't return because of perceived pedantry? ) but the 'active' time is updated when a page is refreshed, which it would have to be to see any new content, and the forum doesn't automatically log you off for a longer period than we're talking about here so unless they posted and then deliberately logged off (is that likely?) they've not been back since. Anyway, back on thread, let's hope our original poster revisits the thread and updates us, but failing that, I don't think we need to beat ourselves up too much - it's hardly unknown for people to post once and never return

Mike
Fair enough. I must admit that on my PC, it seems to log me out quite quickly when dormant, certainly within an hour or so. But as you say, the OP was only in for 15 minutes. Ce la Vie.

Hi All,

Thank you for your patience, I'm not that familiar with forums like this as it's not a natural way for me to find information and engage, so apologies for my lack of response.

Not sure what all the bits are about further down the thread. If I'm honest I do find these places a little scary, especially giving out personal details and information about MOT certification fails over something like this. I approach things with great caution at the moment as I feel quite vulnerable in this space.

I am Bedfordshire based, but not far from Milton Keynes area if this helps.

Thanks in advance for your kindness, reassurance and support.
Elinor

Hi Elinor

You're a bit far away from me, but we're here to help!
So fire away, when you are ready.
Cheers John

The only 'MOT information' wanted here would be from the reasons for failure part - not personal details. It might say something like,

"Excessive play in front suspension", or
"corrosion around rear suspension mounting" or
"Jedward CD found in radio" or
"Exhaust pipe leaking"

Different people have different skills and knowing a bit about what needs doing allows people to gauge whether they can help. Eg some repairs look difficult but are easy. Some are expensive in time and money.

"Jedward CD found in radio" or

That would require some serious therapy, before you even started on any repairs.........
Best wishes,
Mike.

jagnut66 wrote: ↑Sun May 10, 2020 7:37 pm

"Jedward CD found in radio" or

That would require some serious therapy, before you even started on any repairs.........
Best wishes,
Mike.

I think that would make is 'spares or repair' only, myself

Hey guys, apologies for the delay on getting these details in the thread. All thoughts and comments welcome - private message me if easier.

1 - Brakes imbalanced across an axle Rear
2 - Brakes imbalanced across an axle Front
3 - Service brake lagging in operation Offside Rear
4 - Service brake lagging in operation Nearside Front
5 - Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (both wipers do not have a great enough arc to clear the windscreen effectively)
6 - Tyre has a bulge, caused by separation of partial failure of its structure Offside Front
7 - Tyre has a bulge, caused by separation of partial failure of its structure Nearside Front
8 - Tyre has a tear, caused by separation of partial failure of its structure Nearside Front
9 - Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively damaged significantly reducing structural strength Offside Front (within 30cm of tie bar mounting)
10 - Suspension component mounting prescribed area is inadequately repaired Central (torsion bar mounting)

11 - Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect Nearside Rear
12 - Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect Offside Front
13 - Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect Nearside Front
14 - Suspension component mounting repair covered in underseal Offside Rear (spring mounting)
15 - Suspension component mounting repair covered in underseal Nearside Rear (spring mounting)

Thank you so much in advance for your kindness and support.

Hi Elinor,

1 - Brakes imbalanced across an axle Rear
2 - Brakes imbalanced across an axle Front
3 - Service brake lagging in operation Offside Rear
4 - Service brake lagging in operation Nearside Front

I would suggest your brakes need a good service, budget for brake shoes, their connecting springs and cylinders, none of which are that expensive. Links below.
Then I would bleed the brakes, completely flushing through with new brake fluid (Dot 4 - buy 2 litres - you won't use it all but it leaves you some to spare), because you don't know the last time it was changed. Properly set up, your brakes will be perfectly adequate for a standard car, I'm assuming you have drums all round?
What year is your car? (Later ones have larger front brakes - hence two sets of links for front brake shoes below)
https://www.morrisminorspares.com/brake ... er-p829445
https://www.morrisminorspares.com/brake ... er-p829446
https://www.morrisminorspares.com/brake ... ls-p829510
https://www.morrisminorspares.com/brake ... ii-p829436 (Two required per side at the front.)
https://www.morrisminorspares.com/brake ... series-ii- (Two required per side at the front.)
https://www.morrisminorspares.com/brake ... es-p829506 (One per side at the rear.)
https://www.morrisminorspares.com/brake ... er-p829525 (One per side at the rear.)
https://www.morrisminorspares.com/brake ... es-p829440
https://www.morrisminorspares.com/brake ... es-p829441
https://www.morrisminorspares.com/brake ... de-p829514
https://www.morrisminorspares.com/brake ... de-p829515
If bleeding the brakes you may want to change the three flexible hoses (two at the front and one at the rear), again they are cheap: https://www.morrisminorspares.com/brake ... le-p829350

6 - Tyre has a bulge, caused by separation of partial failure of its structure Offside Front
7 - Tyre has a bulge, caused by separation of partial failure of its structure Nearside Front
8 - Tyre has a tear, caused by separation of partial failure of its structure Nearside Front

Buy two new tyres, then because a Minor is rear wheel drive, swap the rear wheels to the front, fitting them on the opposite side to what they are now and fit the ones from the front on the rear, so that, when replaced, your new tyres are on the rear.
This also ensures that your oldest tyres are worn out first and you only need to buy two tyres at a time.
That said you might want to check the condition of the spare, it's always best to have a good one in the boot, just in case. Link below:
https://www.camskill.co.uk/m4b0s381p161 ... se%3A_70dB
Or:
https://www.camskill.co.uk/m4b0s381p117 ... se%3A_72dB

9 - Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively damaged significantly reducing structural strength Offside Front (within 30cm of tie bar mounting)
10 - Suspension component mounting prescribed area is inadequately repaired Central (torsion bar mounting)

Please can we have some pictures of this 'damage', thanks.

11 - Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect Nearside Rear
12 - Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect Offside Front
13 - Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect Nearside Front

These might only want wiping off with a dry, clean rag, prior to the MOT.
There may be nothing wrong with them and if there is it will enable you to see any leakage and where it's coming from.

14 - Suspension component mounting repair covered in underseal Offside Rear (spring mounting)
15 - Suspension component mounting repair covered in underseal Nearside Rear (spring mounting)

I'm not sure what they are suggesting the problem is here, most testers are not so shy as they won't probe the underside vigorously with a screwdriver, if they suspect that there may be structural weakness.
'Covered in underseal' is not a fault nor a fail. Again, can we have some pictures please.

5 - Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (both wipers do not have a great enough arc to clear the windscreen effectively)

New wiper blades (Links below for both pre '63 and post '63 types). Though the problem with the sweep of the wipers arc could indicate that you might need to either service your wiper box or replace it.
https://www.morrisminorspares.com/body- ... ex-p829089 (Post '63)
https://www.morrisminorspares.com/body- ... ex-p829087 (Pre '63)
Wiper motors are not so cheap, so not knowing your budget here's a link to one on eBay, listed as in working order. A little scruffy but nothing a good clean and a lick of paint couldn't sort out. It is for a later car though (post '63), so won't suit the 'clap hands' wiper type (pre'63) models.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Morris-Minor ... SwsV5eyoJ1
All of these may take you a little time at present, possibly longer than the retest period allows for, so I'm going to ask how well you know this garage / tester?
I may pay you to look for a classic friendly garage online, better still perhaps someone on here can suggest one in your area.
Best wishes,
Mike.