Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Maintenance & Servicing First time greasing front suspension

Hi All,
Have owned my 1999 +4 for nearly a month now and I have covered just under 800 miles,
I thought I would attempt to grease the front suspension today as planning a trip next week to Devon which will rack up another 300+ miles. (Weather dependent).
As this is the first time I've done this I had a look on gomog for info and managed to lube up successfully (I think), although lifting the damper plate was impossible with a pry bar so had to use a block of wood and a jack. Did this with the wheels removed so I could better see what I was doing and had to spend a good hour on each side cleaning a build up of grease and brake dust from everything.
The one shot oiler system has been removed by a previous owner and I'm now wondering if I should change to a hard chrome king pin and bearing instead of the damper plate.
Not wanting to do this unnecessarily if there is still life in current set up my question is how can you tell that King pins are worn ? The car has now covered 35800 miles and presume still on original parts. The steering isn't light, but as its the first Morgan I've ever driven wouldn't know if this is how it is or if it is tight.

Many Thanks in advance
Andy.

Others will be along with more information soon. Here is my 10 pence worth.

- At 35800 your car could be on the original parts but, if it has mild steel king pins that is unlikely.
- To test for wear, jack the car up and secure it on axle stands - leaving the wheels on. If you hold the wheel at 12 and 6 o’clock, any play you detect is the king pins plus any play in the wheel bearings. Play detected when you hold the wheel at 9 and 3 is more wheel bearings than king pins.
- When it is past its best, a change to hard chrome king pins will give a much longer life. Bearings instead of damper blades may or may not be a good idea depending on the car - someone who knows better than me on this point will be able to advise.
- There is a lazy way to tell if the system is worn - if there was no advisory on the last MOT re King Pins then it is most likely (but not necessarily) OK.
- Adding a cover of some kind to the rebound (lower) spring will protect the bottom of the King Pin from road grit etc and considerably improve life expectancy. There are drawing of suitable covers on Gomog or you can make something from a length of heater trunking or innnertube. Wolf Performance sell posh ones. DaveW has offered posh Mohair covers for sale from time to time.

Cars with the set up you have were never particularly light on the steering. The 1985 car (same set up as your car with a steering box) we had for 10 years was not as light on the steering as our current 2014 car which has the modern bearings set up and a steering rack - no idea when Morgan changed from a steering box to a rack. You may find that things improve with your lubrication and some use.

Paul's advice is spot on I would say. Switching to hardchrome kingpins is definitely a good idea when you come to replace them and at nearly 36k miles the original mild steel pins have done well. If you have a steering box, then I wouldn't rush to get rid of the damper blades, they won't make the steering heavier if properly lubricated, and will help to quell any tendency for St Malvern's Dance.

There are suspension kits available including this one. While doing the pins it would make sence to go "the whole hog". The cost of the pins is relatively modest - labour charges? - that's another story!

Thank you Paul and Tim,
I will check for play as you suggested Paul, it has passed an MOT with no advisory just prior to my picking it up so should be Ok but will check for myself.
I'm presuming everything is still original as I have no receipts for any work done on the front end although I have receipts for other work carried out.
Glad you mentioned steering box Paul, I thought I'd found the change had come in the 1980's and was surprised to see one fitted on my car, so who knows.
Graham, that's the kit I was thinking about, the whole hog, or as I say, if your going to have a boil, have a big un.
Even the kit is not pocket money though so don't want to spend unnecessarily and then have to spend more on a steering damper should I end with the Malvern dance I've heard and read about.
Thanks guys, great info.
Andy.

Paul’s advice is spot on

Particularly the way to differentiate king pin bush wear from bearing slop

Some people and mechanics not experienced with Morgans can confuse king pin bush wear with wheel bearing play so it’s an important diagnosis

My kingpin bushes on my last 2000 4/4 were changed at 38K miles on the clock and they definitely needed doing as they were oval when they came off

On my latest car I am at 35k & there was slight wear at the MOT.
I would grease & wait for the next MOT. Hard chrome is the way to go but you might want the damper blades to stop the Malvern dance.

I know this may sound a stupid question. What is the Malvern dance? Is it evident only on old Morgan cars?

Wheel wobble. The older car steering geometry makes them more susceptible. I found the dampers solve it, others favour the bearing solution.
http://www.gomog.com/allmorgan2.html#Vibration

I'm enlightened. I thought it was the nodding bonnet.