Axle angst aced

1955 Morris Minor

Engine 1098cc/4-cyl/ohv

Work done

Rear axle replaced; alternator installed; new radial tyres fitted. I spent Lockdown 3.0 fettling my 1955

Minor. As reported in

PC June 2020, I’d fitted a Sixties 4.22:1 differential to my 1955 rear axle, resulting in the loss of the oil filler aperture. So one of the axle’s handbrake cable brackets shearing off was all the excuse I needed to replace the entire axle casing with a later one.

De-rusted, painted and treated to new hub oil seals and wheel bearings, the replacement axle was wrestled into place, bolted to the stillperky original rear springs with new U-bolts. The good differential and halfshafts followed.

Next, I tidied up the installation of some of the cupro-nickel brake pipes that I fitted back in 2019, but clumsily sheared the thread on the brake master cylinder’s banjo bolt. Saving time, I stole one from my 1970 Minor, then invested in a hand-held vacuum brake bleeding kit, which transformed the once-agonising task of bleeding the brakes.

The electrics haven’t escaped tinkering, either. The system was converted to negative earth and an alternator fitted, while (for show use only) a vintage klaxon horn, gifted to me by my neighbour John Selman, was the finishing touch. The skinny original wheels were also repainted and fitted with brand new Camac radials and inner tubes from Vintage Tyres. I think they really suit the car.