Replacing Morris 1000 chassis legs

- W
- Willy Eckerslyke
  
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posted
20 years ago

Mon, Dec 15, 2003 12:28 PM

Intending to kickstart my Minor restoration again, I've just bought a pair of chassis legs and front cross-member which I intend to fit over the Christmas break. I'm not a beginner, but this job is one I've been dreading for a while, so any tips getting the correct alignment would be gratefully received.

The car is currently one its side, so access is easy. I'm intending to start with the worst one and align the new section with other as I go along. To avoid introducing a twist, I'm thinking of temporarily tacking a straight edge across the car somewhere towards the rear and using it to check visually against a second straght edge held against the chassis legs. The floorpan and triangular bracing section leading from the bulkhead are, I hope, solid enough to help position them correctly.

Anyone else done this before? Is it as tricky a job as it looks?

TIA.

- J
- Jamie
  
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posted
20 years ago

Tue, Dec 16, 2003 11:29 AM

In article , Willy Eckerslyke writes

I did a single chassis leg years ago when I was 17. I only had a section about 2 1/2' long so. I just cut the old one out and used the floor, the remnants of the front cross-member, a few straight edges, tape measure, and eye sight to line it up IIRC. I may have put a bar through the two front torsion bar mountings as well.

However inaccurate a job I did, I didn't notice any issues with the handling, and despite the car being the first time I'd ever welded, and gas at that, it held together very well.

- W
- Willy Eckerslyke
  
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posted
20 years ago

Tue, Dec 16, 2003 3:35 PM

I had intended doing a half section on the better side until two full legs turned up on Ebay.

Ah yes, that did occur to me. I may as well too as it certainly won't do any harm.

Wow, nothing like jumping in the deep end! My first welding was a wing on a Viva that subsequently popped off when someone drove into the other side. Mind you, I had used a rather dodgy arc welder borrowed from a friend. Anyway, thanks for the reassurance.