Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Maintenance & Servicing The aftermath of Canterbury.................

Thanks for the Detailed Investigation & spotting .

On second inspection, you are 'Spot On'. The 'Crack' is in fact the top of the Bolt head,
Phew!
Also thank you Richard - Aus for similar info.

Frank, the dampers are not causing the cracks when acting as dampers, only when acting as anti-tramps.
When the power is on and the propshaft puts the torque into the pinion, the crownwheel turns the halfshafts, together in the case of an LSD. With grip at the tyres, the axle casing will rotate backwards with equal and opposite force while ever there is equilibrium as the car accelerates. If traction breaks there will be a sharp rocking effect between power on and slip, and the part which controls most of the movement - these brackets, will be violently flexed.
That's whats going on. It would be less of a problem with no LSD.
Here's the photo I promised.


According to BHM, most if not all cars are now coming with a limited slip diff. Mr Bumble has one.

Now I must log off for a glass of wine and an early night. Another early start tomorrow for Devon.
Back next Thursday.

A lot more meat, and a reinforcing flange, on the new plates...

I wonder if Morgan were aware of the problem and redesigned them when they introduced the new Roadster or Babydoll?

Aero Chassis anyone?
How long before we see the Aero chassis offered with V6 and +4 as an alternative to the traditional version?

We've had this conversation a few times and it tends to raise a few hackles! The cost of the chassis with suspension would raise the prices rather too high I think.

Looks quite a difference between those brackets. Is the thickness the same?

An Aero chassis Roadster (or for that matter a V6 Aero) would make sense with the current engine pushing out 280 bhp and 380Nm of torque. I know they would get immediate orders plus the benefit of increased volumes of production for the Aero chassis cars.

The 4/4 and the Plus 4 don't need an Aero chassis, IMHO, but they do need an updated chassis design and independent suspension all round. I can't see that it would increase costs significantly; Caterham seems to be able to compete with reasonable prices on their factory built cars. True the bodywork on a Morgan is much more sophisticated than a Caterham. The basic 1.6 model is more than £3,000 less than a 4/4 and all Caterham engines are tuned to a lesser or greater degree. For £27,995 you can have a factory built Supersport R with a 180 bhp Cosworth tuned 2.0 Duratec. Compare that to £29,500 for the base Plus 4 with a standard Ford engine. It is however true that not only does the Morgan come with fully formed mudguards but a hood and sidescreens as well so a direct comparison is not possible.

Now I am not saying I want a Caterham, it would not suit me at all, but what I am saying is that a small advance in chassis technology should not add much to the cost of a traditional style Morgan 4/4 or Plus 4. To change the chassis so that the axle was under instead of over the chassis would surely add very little to the cost.