Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Morgan Three Wheeler & Super 3 Steering - again

Michael.

I would be very careful how you approach this issue with your lady friend, or you could be in a world of trouble!!


As for the point of additional weight/carrying a passenger; on a vehicle that is as light as an M3W, the weight of the driver and passenger is a significant percentage of the overall weight. So this could become an interesting area for discussion.
I have driven an M3W both solo and with a passenger, albeit only over a short distance and I felt it was noticeably more planted when two-up.

Bud
__________
2003 - 4/4

On the same order as "Does this make me look fat?"

Best of luck.

To follow up on my report about setting the front end to 1/16" toe-in, I did all measurements with the car unladen.

And my front end is supported by Spax shocks, car built Jan 2013.

Does anyone have a sense for which 'direction' the toe would go as the car is laden? Certainly other aspects of the geometry will change with more weight.

Steve Black

Some inputs - The reason for the increase in front ride height when MMC moved from SUPLEX to SPAX is that the SUPLEX units had a clever elastomeric 'spring assist' on the damper rod (like a very posh long durable closed cell foam bump stop) that came into contact quite soon in bump to give a rising rate (nice!), but when SPAX got the business they did not use a rising rate so increased the ride height instead to minimise full bump impacts. This is compounded as the geometry itself actually gives a falling rate which is bad.
Thus the SUPLEX units actually have less travel in bump than the SPAX but then contol it better. The less bump travel of the SUPLEX units also minimised the amount of bump steer, hence with the SUPLEX units there is no noticeable bump steer (well I did not notice any). From what I see, the wheels toe-in with bump, but I do not know the full relationship of suspension travel with steer. Obviously it can be designed out with correct rack height and track rod length or minimised with bump travel control as originally. Also if the direction of bump steer with travel is consistent then it is easy to cope with compared with bump steer that goes from toe-out to toe-in or significantly increases in bump.
The SPAX units also have lots of rebound travel, whereas the SUPLEX units have an internal spring in the unique damper that is effectively a rebound spring so minimising rebound travel and thus significantly increasing roll stiffness.
The SPAX units try to control rebound with excessive rebound damping which is maybe OK for a single excursion into a pothole or a single change of direction, but can causes 'jacking down' of the vehicle over a series of inputs. This is when the wheel can not rebound fully before the next bump, hence the wheel gets jacked up over a series of bumps, such as the bumpy kerbs on the inside of a race track until the suspension is on full bump waiting for the next bump - with no more suspension travel - ah -wonder what happens then?
I hope this helps. SUPLEX upgrades available soon I hear ;-)
I've forgoten what the question was now........
Best regards PJB.

I have been informed by the MD of SUPLEX that SUPLEX now have the development upgraded front suspension unit for the new M3W. These will replace the current SPAX units and will actually be more sophisticated than the SUPLEX units fitted to the first cars produced. They incorporate:
1. Rising spring rate with a main spring and a 'spring assist' on the damper rod. So a soft initial rate to reduce 'kickback' then stiffens in bump and cornering to reduce 'bump steer'.
2. Rebound spring incorporated in the damper to reduce roll by not allowing the inner wheel on hard corners to droop, thus also reducing 'roll steer'.
3. Adjustable main spring so that the designated ride height can be set for all weights of passenger to ensure rebound spring is just kissing at static ride height.
4. Adjustable damper bump & rebound together.
Should be good - regards PJB

That sounds v good - any idea on £cost?

Wonder if MMC would like to buy some nearly new Spax front dampers?

I would be very interested to hear the feedback when they start getting fitted.

It has come to my ears that MMC may be looking at redesigning the front wheels and going to centre lacing. I have an idea that they may be doing some testing quite soon. It will be interesting to see if this rumour is true or not.

In the latest MOG Magazine Colin Terry the ' advanced driving expert' states that 'hitting a pot hole will result in a momentary small movement of the steering wheel ' ....!!!