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......

That's bad luck ....presume there no way you could use a flap wheel to flatten the bolt end then centre punch the bolt and use increasing size drills with plenty of WD40....sometimes the heat and vibration of the drilling will loosen the bolt or what's left gets weak enough to bully out ...might be worth a try while you're looking for another shackle ....good luck ...... thanks for posting the pics

Yeah, that's certainly a possibility. Might have a go - I've got a bench drill.

Thank you! Just been up the shed and drilled the little bugger out. Back on it tomorrow!

Second Armstrong in, and tank moved back 2 cm. Waiting on the steel to make the bash plate, but now got more clearance than before (and still room to get my side screens in the gap

Great stuff. Love the photos.

Passenger side spring went on, bit tight on space next to the wall, but managed OK.

Next was the panhard rod. Not a great deal of space to play with - although the axle has moved back about 15mm, I've moved the tank back 30mm.. By swapping the bolt round I gave myself a few mil extra, just means I'll have to drop the arm if I need to remove it for any reason.

Clamped it up on the chassis rails, then took measurement off the rear cross member to make sure it was level. 8 x 6mm holes and all good to go!

Really pleased with it - it's added an extra bit of structural bracing, to that part of the chassis, and stabilised the axle nicely.

Final job on the axle is to trim off the bottom of the U bolts, but that'll have to wait till tomorrow as the Mrs has nicked my extension lead.....

Great progress. A panhard rod makes such a difference.

Thanks for the pics ... so, there's a square section tube bolts across the chassis with a yoke to take one end of the panhard rod ....the other end of the rod connects to a plate fitted to the U bolts under the spring? .... definitely something I intend to do to mine ....any chance you can post driving impressions once you're out and about again.

K

Yes, that's it.

It's number 5 on the SSL webpsge and the Adjustable Valves are number 8: SSL Panhard Rod

Will certainly post a review up Got a day in school on the 20th so will take her in then. Lots of roundabouts in Milton Keynes!