All suspension design is a compromise. Sorry; should have defined my terms more precisely. My understanding is that Morgan suspension offers the benefits of minimal track change together with constant camber angle and low unsprung weight. Wishbone suspension offers the choice between relatively consistent camber angles but with greater track change (equal wishbones) or more consistent track with variable camber angles (unequal wishbones); all at the expense of higher unsprung weight. The compromise being of course the ubiquitous Mc Pherson strut which is half Morgan, half wishbone. The argument is however largely theoretical. We know that in the real world a well set up wishbone suspension together with modern tires is probably going to work better than the Morgan. But I suspect Morgan owners don’t live in the real world and probably don’t want to.
What I was trying to do was analyze why Morgan design didn’t work as well as more conventional suspension systems and came to the conclusion that the main difference was the effect of the variable frictional resistance in response to the lateral loads to which the suspension is subjected. The only fix for this being a much better lubrication system. I hadn’t considered the torsional effects of the dampers; which when you think about it isn’t brilliant but since the system has a certain amount of damping inbuilt into it anyway the dampers don’t have nearly as much work to do as on wishbone suspension and I am sure that running the dampers at a lower rate is helpful.
However the real point is that there are issues with Morgan suspension, which Morgan should have fixed years ago. We all know the lubrication issue is critical, but as I have tried to demonstrate it isn’t purely an issue of durability. The lubrication is an essential part of how and why the suspension works. It shouldn’t have to be up to enthusiasts to devise ingenious fixes to fundamental design problems when fairly simple solutions exist. The message to the factory is simple. Get on and design and independent pressurized lubrication system that doesn’t leak. Then at least we all know the suspension is working as well as it is theoretically capable and everybody can get on with enjoying the car.
