Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Morgan Three Wheeler & Super 3 M3W Suspension problems

Hi: I'm new to the forum, but have been involved with Morgan since 1978. I have a M3W coming in a couple of weeks or so. I've been hearing that the suspension geometry is "Dangerous." Do other owners feel the same? I know there is a dealer meeting to address this problem. I doubt if anything has been updated on my vehicle since it was built in September. I've told my dealer that I would prefer not to take delivery until this is sorted. Does anyone have a news update? LarryS

I spent several hours on narrow, twisty, bumpy Malvern roads yesterday and the steering was fine for me.

It does jiggle about but hook your thumbs over the steering wheel spokes and don't fight it just guide it and it's fine.

I wouldn't recommend hooking your thumbs like that, if you got a large bump you could really hurt yourself. Something I learnt the hard way driving old tractors ,and it certainly applies to my three wheeler.

Just wondering if you were in a factory car if it has the new 'comfort' suspension?

I agree with HJP, also first driving experience on non power steered tractors. A large bump or pot hole could dislocate your thumb

I just talked to the portuguese dealer, I'm supposed to have a meeting with him monday but as of this moment my plan is to stay put (and hold my order) until it becomes clear(er) what is going to happen, meaning:
a) is the front suspension going to be upgraded?
b) is it an optional with a cost?

I also asked him to get information on the "bevel box" issue I read about in here.

So it's true! A Morgan 3 Wheeler really IS like an old tractor..

I wouldn't call the suspension flaw actually 'dangerous'. Perhaps if you didn't slow down enough it could be, it just feels as if it could send you into oncoming vehicles, when on a bumpy narrow road. It is more uncomfortable than anything else. To the point of spoiling the drive, for me at least, although there are those on here who profess to like it because 'it makes the Three Wheeler a better Morgan'. Maybe because it looks like a 60 year old car, they want it to drive like one, although I owned a 1953 MGTD for nigh on 30 years and never had bump steer with that, so maybe MG got it right back then?

The main problem has been overcome with a retro fit kit of parts which comprise a natty and strong aluminium spacer for the top wishbone, a race engineered shorter top wishbone and a new track rod end and spacer. If anyone wants photos, pm and I will send some pictures of my car. What this does, is to align the top and bottom inboard pivot points for the wishbones, with the steering rack knuckle joint, so they all describe the same arc of movement, completely eliminating the toe change when the suspension goes up and down, and as a secondary improvement, I've noticed the steering is considerably lighter too, and doesn't weight up, the more the car is turned into a corner. I now find I can hold the wheel easily with a light finger and thumb grip and gently guide it around the corners, irrespective of the road surface. It really is a pleasure to drive and is the car it should have been all along, it's just a pity I had to pay a substantial amount of money for an expert to come up with the fix.

This overcomes the main problem of bump steer and the steering wheel jumping around in your hands every time the car hits a pothole or ridge in the road, and I'm not talking large ones, even small imperfections will kick the wheel around. The secondary problem concerns the offset or King Pin Inclination [Google it if you don't know], not bisecting the front tyre at the ground. This cannot be rectified so easily with an after market kit, and is something that will have to be attended to at manufacture. Luckily, the effects are less pronounced, manifesting themselves as more of a slight vibration through the steering wheel, almost as if the wheel is talking to you.

The racing car company that engineered my kit are happy to make it available to anyone who wants it, but to keep the price at a reasonable level, they would like at least 10 orders, although they will make one offs like mine, for a bit more, I understand.

Paul J
could you please post some pictures?

Good idea, why didn't I think of that? I've just uploaded them, look in the photo gallery.

Thanks for your response. There's a company in Northern California that can supply a similar kit, (Fatcat Motorsports) but this would add at least $4500 to the cost of the vehicle. I know Morgan knows it has a problem. I'm hoping that they come up with something. Considering the cost of the M3W, this seems only reasonable.LarryS