Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Morgan Three Wheeler & Super 3 Front Wheel Alignment Specifications

Hello fellow 3W owners.

Does anyone have, or know where to find the wheel alignment specs for our great little cars?

In looking over my car, it appears to be extremely toe out which seems very wrong.

Hi Redneck, and welcome to TM, the more the merrier.

If you do a search back, there has been plenty written about the front end of the M3W. Briefly the factory recomends 2 degrees of toe out, each side, but the rest of us are experimenting with all sorts of setups to try and reduce the dreaded bump steer. So, yes you are quite right, the toe out can be seen by eye.

Some people say they don't have bump steer at all, some say it doesn't bother them, and some complain vociferously about it [me], but I tend to think that all the little cars have it and it depends on the condition of the roads, as to how badly it affects the drive experience.

If you are able to sort the problem, there would be an awful lot of happy owners waiting to hear about it.

Good luck!

Thanks Paul

I've called two of the dealers here in the states. One told me a 1/16" toe in the other said don't touch it.

I don't thing the bump steer is that terrible but then I'm used to driving vintage cars. I mainly tinker with old VW's and the 3w doesn't drive much different that an old bus without a steering damper

I'm going to experiment with a damper to see if that will improve the smaller bumps

I have a couple other little things to sort out first them will give the damper a go

Funny you should mention a VW steering damper. I have tried one and, on mine at least, it didn't make any discernable difference, but as it is an easy job, and they aren't too expensive, give it a go and see if you have a better result.

Re. the toe, a small voice in the back of my head, is saying that it should be 2mm of toe out per side, not degrees, hopefully someone will be along in a minute to correct me. I am currently experimenting with a paralell setup, it is certainly no worse, but there isn't an improvement either, but at least my front tyres will last longer.

How does one go about adjusting the alignment on a 3 wheeled car? Can conventional alignment tools do the job, or is there a special trick?

Where would you fit a steering damper, on the arm or the column?

For rather obvious reasons, you can't do a four wheel alignment!

So it is vital you do an alignment in the straight ahead position as due to the Ackerman angle, the toe out will increase as one goes from straight ahead to full lock. (Outer wheel describes a bigger circle than inner one). A four wheel alignment will get the straight ahead position for you, but you will have to set it.

But conventional single axle tools should work just fine and because the wheels are much easier to get to than on most four wheeled cars, making your own ought nor be difficult. I made my own simple one out of three bits of wood and two bolts for my vintage three wheeler, and use a tape measure. I'm sure the five speeder fitment would be very similar.

I use the same method as Martyn, and have done so for 30 years.
Three pieces of wood, in my case one large nail and a tape measure!

I plane to go from the end of the tie rod to the frame under the upper a arm. In briefly looking at it the bolt that holds the steering rack on the right side could be replaced with a longer one so no real fabrication needed. A small u bolt and a heim on the tie rod side and off for a test ride

I use two 1" square aluminum tubing with slots in each end to accommodate the dumb end of a tape measure. I use Velcro straps to bind the tubes to the wheels as high as possible then use two tape measures one in front one behind the tires. Very easy to read and see the adjustments