Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Morgan Three Wheeler & Super 3 Steering kickback

My understanding is that they took the design and then completely "re-engineered" it. I doubt there is anything left of the ACE in the M3W.

Looking at the Ace website, the first thing I noticed was the position of the steering rack....at the front of the engine! Far more sensible to get the correct angles.
The second thing was the interior.....dash and shape of the scuttle...lovely!

And the weight is only 430 kilograms

PS. I think it is incredible that the basic Caterham comes in at only 525 kg when it has a 4 cylinder engine, four wheels (brakes suspension etc), gearbox, dif, tailshaft. It has been said before but one has to ask how they can build it at the same weight as the two cylinder, belt driven, Morgan three wheeler.

I can only think of one thing it could be and that is the rack is shorter there by moving the inner pivot more in line with a theoretical line drawn through the inboard wishbone mountings. This would then reduce the droop angle of the track rod and in consequence reduce bump steer. Why not just re-design the front uprights by moving the steering arm further up!

Have the later rack on my car (it was one of the first) and was told by BHM that the kickback was much reduced compared with other cars they've driven. BHM has also played with tracking but I can't say I've noticed much difference, although there is a nervousness at about 50 - 60 mph which varies a bit with tracking.

Have also had the new stronger lower wishbones fitted. Can't say the steering was better after the replacement - in fact, if anything it's slightly worse so wouldn't agree this has helped.

Steering kickback / feedback both still pretty pronounced but liveable with.

Car is great fun though, and the steering is acceptable (just).

Too many problems with the car, though, and if I was not a Morgan fan I would be disappointed. I can only expect the 3W will rapidly fall from grace unless a lot more effort is made to resolve the design issues, and correct earlier cars.

That is a very interesting, and honest, assesment, coming from an acknowledged Mog. fan. My three Wheeler is the first Morgan I've owned, so I admit I may not be quite so ready to forgive stuff which others may as 'they all do that'.

Yes, the saving grace is that the car is still great fun, in spite of the problems.

I had my wishbones changed at the factory when it went back for the steering set up, and, whilst they changed the wishbones FOC, they charged me £60 for the priveledge of fitting them, which didn't impress me one bit. I gather that the issue of the wishbones has been downplayed by the factory, but was actually a serious issue which should have been dealt with by a recall? Does anyone else know more?

The factory played it down and stated that only cars that were either to be used or were being used extensively on track were at risk, and that there was no risk for cars used on the road, but that if owners wanted their lower wishbones changed the factory would do it free, however, no mention was made of a labour charge.......... I call that being very sneaky, as I was only told when I went to collect the car with a two hour trip home in front of me!

Just had a thought re. trackrod position.
If the track rods cannot be moved up and the steering rack cannot be moved down then the ride height can be lowered by say 30mm, this in theory should have a similar effect.
Items required would be 4 off adjustable platform dampers then use existing springs. No mods to car required.
Thoughts?

If you look at the ACE in the development shed and compare it with the M3W, I would agree. I was amazed too at how soft the suspension is on the ACE, I don't know how it handles not having driven it, but it must roll like a ship in distress!

You also need to consider the clearance - the track rods already knock the exhausts on my car over big bumps.

This varies a bit from car to car but there's little room to lower things...