Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) +4 Rear Suspension

We are looking to uprate the rear suspension set up on our 57 +4 4 seater by virtue of having a telescopic damper set up.
Question is...........there are a few on the market, which is the way to go?

http://www.talkmorgan.com/ubbthreads.php/topics/154188/1

What exactly are the merits of doing this? On the above thread Dave W says he drove 400 miles with one damper totally disconnected and couldn't tell the difference. I've often read that this conversion has totally transformed a car but I've often wondered if this is because the owner has spent a shed load of money and has expected a return on their investment. The only thing that ever transformed the suspension on my car was replacing the front springs a couple of years after I bought it. The new main springs were at least an inch longer than the shot old ones! Replacing the standard front dampers with Konis made no difference that I could discern.

Maybe a silly question but do you grease the rear leaf springs? I presume your 57 +4 4 seater does, if you don't grease them or have not for many years then pop down to Halfords and purchase a tin of spray motorbike chain grease. Jack the car up and put on axle stands making sure it is safe, then from underneath spray grease between all the leaf springs, you will need to aim at the rear using the thin pipe that comes with the can. You may be surprised at the difference this can make. I did this on my 16 year old +8 and suddenly I had rear suspension and it was not longer like sitting on a solid chassis and feeling every bump. Might be worth a try first before shelling out.

Hmmmm,
I have very recently applied oil to the springs and trust it will make a difference. However, the lever arm shocks are in need of replacement and I was wondering about the merits of the telescopic set up??

On my 54 Plus 4 I have the Rutherford rear frame to carry Koni Classic shock absorbers. They work well, but I have no comparison with the lever arm type as the car came with the Konis. The Rutherford frames are sold by Tim Ayres at New Elms, see http://www.newelmsmorgan.com/

I have no connection with Tim other than having met him and purchased other parts from him. You will find him very helpful.

By the way, did you receive the technical stuff on Plus 4 Moss boxes that I emailed you a couple of months ago?

Tony Quinn

Yes, Thanks Tony,

I stripped the box and fit new bearings etc, but still not satisfied with it.

It lead me to purchase a copy of the Bedside reader.

Very helpful. I have fitted a Jaguar Moss box with overdrive, it has transformed the car. I had a special muff coupling manufactured to mate the Jag box with the Morgan shaft.

I will let you know the outcome of my deliberations!

Tony
There are two items on the Morgan Owners Queensland web site that I am sure would interest you.

http://morganownersqueensland.org.au/moqwp/2008/09/morgan-front-suspension/
http://morganownersqueensland.org.au/moqwp/2008/09/morgan-rear-suspension/

Hi TonyR,

There is absolutely no comparison between the original lever arm shocks and adjustable telescopics! And the 7 leaf spring pack is just way too stiff if you are nor going to carry passengers in the back.

See:

http://www.talkmorgan.com/ubbthreads.php/topics/111273/Rear_suspension_conversion_4_s#Post111273

And:

http://www.talkmorgan.com/ubbthreads.php/topics/138922/Project_4_4_4_seater_suspensio#Post138922

I used the Rutherford kit ( no connection ) and the effect is not a "subtle" improvement , it's revolutionary!
You would not be disappointed!

Cheers, Neil.

I'm not sure I noticed a massive difference when I took the 69 4/4 with lever arms off the road and started driving the 2006 4/4 with telescopics. However after saying that I'll be putting telescopics on the 69 4/4 during the re-build if for no other reason that the damper frame provides a bit more cross braceing to the chassis similar to the under scuttle brace tube which will also be fitted as part of the upgrade.

Just placed the order on New Elms Morgans.......

Fingers crossed!