Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Maintenance & Servicing RoadTest telescopic suspension conversion 4 seater

Hi guys,
the day dawned bright and so there was no holding me back.

Only the driver's seat replaced for the test, everything else still laid bare.

First run: minimum setting on the AVOs over a short stretch of road known to have teeth shattering and bone jarring sections that previously always produced loud bangings and crashings from the back end and would often make the back end hop.

Result: A super sensation of serene suppleness!!!! The difference is absolutely astonishing! The wheels and tyres actually stay in contact with the road surface....all the time!
There is even a little bit of body roll but not to the detriment of still feeling taught and responsive.
Flashing a quick glance over my shoulder I could see a nice range of movement from the springs.

Second run: Maximum settings on the AVOs.

Result: Still extremely smooth but I could tell by the feel that the higher shock setting was limiting the speed of movement of the leaf springs and the rear just felt a "little tighter".
( I have a question for the suspension experts here....does the dialling of a higher setting on the shocks only slow down the speed of movement of the leaf spring or does it also limit spring travel? Are the two things intimatley related? )


Well, to say I'm delighted is an understatement and I can thoroughly recommend the conversion.
I have never tackled anything like this previously but, while parts of the procedure were a little tricky, requiring a great deal of patience, it was all straightforward and incredibly enjoyable.

Will post a full work-through of the procedure when I have sorted and edited the pics.

for now,
Neil

Oh, nearly forgot.....did I remove one or two leaves from the original seven leaf pack?.....stay tuned.

Great news Neil....superb result. Perhaps you have chosen my next project for me

Look forward to the full report and photos - One for the Ear too?

Neil, it is the bump stops on the damper rods that will limit bump travel. Rebound travel can also be controlled by full extension length, depending on the open length of the dampers you have chosen elated to the new top mount location. I tend to set damper full rebound so that the axle is still just off the chassis so that when the axle drops it is the rubbers at both ends of the damper that takes the full extension shock rather than the axle dropping onto the chassis.
AVO adjustables adjust bump and rebound and low speed and high speed all togethr in some predetermined ratio. As opposed to dampers speciially tuned for an application where these characterisitics are all optimised.
Regards PJB

Thanks PJB,
Your input much appreciated. Must say I'm fascinated by the current threads on the supplex system although doubt I will go down that path for my '74 4 seater. I'm just delighted with the improvement I've got with the rear end.

Cheers,
Neil.