Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Maintenance & Servicing Changing rear springs - 1972 4/4 4seat

Well, the day started well

With a bit of fiddling, a few blocks of wood, a chunk of angle iron and a few G Clamps, the drivers side spring went in well. A few little issues (I swapped one of the cheese cross head bolts for a proper hex head - it was under the spring eye and was stopping it from seating. Managed to find a button head screw so swapped that out). Made a nice little spacer using a chunk of stainless tube I had lying around.

It had moved the axle back a bit (I'd read that this might be the case) and the handbrake rods now catch - I have four options:

Fit Mulfab centralising blocks (but in reverse)
Put some bends in the rods so they clear better
Trim the mount on the axle to move the pivot forward
Move the fuel tank back 15mm

At the moment I think I'll move the tank back - only four bolts and four new holes to drill in wood. There's more than enough play in the fuel hose.





Then, onto the passenger side. U bolts came off fine, front bolt came out OK. Rear bolt siezed in the shackle bush. Tried everything but in the end had to crack out the grinder. Thankfully it had been fitted wrong, and the rear washers were missing so I had a bit of lateral movement which allowed me to mover the shackle far right, cut, and then move it far left and cut. Gave me just enough clearance so I good lever the shackle out. Got the shackle off the spring in the shed, but it's just not shifting. Going to have to get a new shackle.

Armstrong lever had three more mushroom heads. Impossible to get enough purchase to get the nuts off, so hit them with the grinder.

Refurbed the Armstrong and will fit that tomorrow then it's on hold till I get a new shackle. Melvyn has got some, but may see if I can get a second hand one first.

Thought I'd finish the day by fitting the new braided brake line I got from MR. 2 inches too short. I imagine it's my vehicle that's wrong......