Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Maintenance & Servicing King Pins

My 1988 4/4 has just passed its MOT but with a warning that the front o/s wheel bearing has a little play. I tried tightening it but it appears that the play is in the bottom of the king pin (rebound spring) - obviously non-adjustable. How much play is permitted there before replacement becomes necessary? At present it is very little but discernible. And how much should king pin, bushes and springs replacement cost? A job for the reasonably skilled mechanic?!

Any play should be replaced as I understand it ....

Had my bearings changed last year one side showed a little movement . But I dont see any sence in only doing one side. The kingpins done a couple of years before. at H.O.E.

Hi John.
The amount of play allowed is very much up to the MOT tester but its always nice to have virtually none
I replaced mine earlier this year,parts cost about 160 pounds from Techniques for both sides who were very helpful.The job was not that difficult but fairly messy but you do need a long series adjustable reamer to ream the new bushes.there is an excellent how to do it on this forum by DaveW which i found invaluable.If you are happy with some mechanical work its worth doing it yourself you can do one side in about a day. Good luck Barry 78 4/4 4 Seater

Had mine replaced a couple of weeks ago.....they had only done 12,500 miles from new Not impressed as I religiously grease the suspension every 1000 miles.

Parts cost £158 for the kingpins and bushes and £144 labour although that included fitting supplex springs as well.

If you are going to fit new kingpins, go for the hard chromed versions - they will last a lot longer.
Plus, when it all goes back together, fit some kind of shroud around the lower rebound spring, thus keeping a lot of the road crud out - it's the worst thing for wearing out king pins/bushes...

...hmm....I noticed the other day I had passed the 12,000 mile mark. My second MOT is due quite soon. Will be interesting to see if I am in need of new kingpins.

Thinking about this in advance of the need to replace them at short notice...can anyone recommend the best place to go to get the work done in the South Yorkshire/North Derbyshire area ?

There's a garage in Sheffield/Chesterfield who comes recommended and knows Morgans. Lord Unstone knows where it is. If he doesn't appear on here, try asking on Mogtalk.

Ok thanks Dave.

I met Lord Unstone a couple of years ago at a Tormog meet. Nice chap. I'll see if I can track him down. He has a printing business I seem to remember.

And here he is:
http://www.greystones.co.uk/