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

Yep

Does the vulnerability relating to the petrol tank/handbrake linkage apply to all trad models or has it been designed out on more recent cars?

It's only those with a Salisbury axle and/or handbrake rods. Later cars with the BTR axle had cables and different routing.

Thank you, understood.

John V6 ..... have now ...many thanks

K

Another dry spot this morning, so thought I'd dive out and make a start. Decided to do one side at a time so I can keep the opposite side as a reference if needed.

Started to remove the Armstong Lever bracket, thankfully the driver side had four proper hex heads (the passenger side has mushroom heads - see picture!). All the nuts came off OK but realised I couldn't withdraw the bottom two bolts as they were trapped by the spring, so that would have to come out.



Removed the rear bolt holding the shackle to the frame. Came out pretty easily and was able to 'screw' it out completely.

Then onto the front nut. This bolt was a lot tighter, but managed to drift it out with a long 10mm bolt. Was then able to apply a little downforce on the eye to withdraw the drift. Was fairly straightforward (but am over 16st so had some weight on it)

Jacked up the axle to get some access to the U Bolt nuts and whipped that off fairly quickly.

Pulled the axle through the cockpit - bit tricky to get past the tank but managed ok with it at an angle where possible.


Old spring to the shed, removed the rear shackle, cleaned painted and fitted onto the new spring and new bolts/nuts (using the old as a guide to make sure I get it on the right way!)



Removed the Armstrong damper from the plate, removed the lid and old valve and gave it a good flushing with light oil and an air line. Fitted the new adjustable valve from SSL, and then started to bleed the system. This was really hard, and needed an extension tube to move the arm - then I realised I had the valve set to the highest setting! Wound the valve back and it was then really easy. Peter at SSL recommends a half way setting initially, and then a tweak once it's being used. I was really impressed with it. Was originally going to go for the tele conversion, but have got new springs and two valves for less than the price of the kit. Peter reckons that the adjustable valves are as good as a telescopic set up unless you're really going to be ragging it round a track. New valve at bottom of picture, old one at the top.



Made a new gasket for the lid. fitted, cleaned and sprayed.

All ready to go back on! Got some school stuff to do this afternoon, so wil start again tomorrow morning, after I've cleaned and painted the chassis. Then onto the passenger side.

Well done. I am glad it all went well.

Great to see the pics ..... I'll have to consider the adjustable valves myself once the thing is in one piece ..... definitely get rid of the mushroom bolts ....they're what you buy in a pack from B&Q to hold your shed together .... not up to structural work and probably survived courtesy of the damper ironing out any shock loads .... thanks for taking the time to post your changes looking forward to the next installment.

K

Watching with interest Phil

Beautiful sunny day, Armstrong lever in, and spring in situ. Just waiting for my neighbours on the left to wake up before I start any 'big spanner' work