Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Maintenance & Servicing King Pins & bush renewal

I rather share Hamwich's view on this topic.
Re-engineering the front suspension to eliminate the need for greasing the kingpins eliminates some of the fun of Morgan ownership...

Certainly the use of this technology could mean that the Morgan front suspension is as maintenance free as on any modern car, including the Aero. But is that what the market wants?

That is the "million $" question.

Are we here a bunch of Luddites who enjoy the challenges of Morgan ownership truly representative of Morgan owners?
I rather suspect not.

Clearly there are many who say they are attracted to the Morgan because they like to tinker with and maintain their own car. With modern engines and electronic controls there is not much that a "home" mechanic can do. To have a newish Morgan and to try and maintain it yourself is a bit like wanting to have the to have the barrel full and the wife drunk. I suspect that people in that situation really want a vintage sports car but with the reliability of a modern car, that is certainly what attracted me to the Morgan after owning a series of old bikes and cars. I have an idea that most people in that category would not have been put off if the king pins only needed greasing when the car has a regular service.

These days people who purchase a new car, by and large, never lay a spanner on their cars and many are probably put off Morgan ownership, or try a Morgan and then abandon Morgan ownership, because of these sorts of issues.

By their very nature the trad Morgan will always be prone to rattles and squeaks but I am sure that a Morgan that could go from one service to the next without any owner intervention would attract more buyers.

Having had to deal with kingpins since my first MG, (me aged 19), the prospect of Morgan kingpins had no impact on my decision to buy. For me it was more about traditional construction and the use of stainless steel and aluminium. The only thing I found odd was the lack of weather protection at the bottom of the kingpin. So whatever bushing is used, it will be vulnerable to grit unless the basic issue of protection is addressed.
The steering effort is reduced considerably with bearings instead of damper blades, and anyone with damper blades due a kingpin change should do this at the same time.
Compared to an MGB it's surprising what a home mechanic can stll do. Apart from the basic settings of mixture, idle speed, timing - in other words the carbs and distributor settings - everything else is still fair game, so all lubrication, plugs, belts, tightening nuts & bolts, basic electrics and so on.
And there are still nipples on the propshaft.

But I accept that a significant proportion of buyers don't want that, but want 'plug & play', which at the moment a trad Morgan isn't.

Peter,

I think that is what CM wanted from the Aeromax range, the only problem is the cost.

IF it were possible to offer a +4 in the new +8 body/chassis and at about £45,000 new I think it would sell: ABS, power steering, modern suspension, auto box and all.... But I doubt Morgan can do this. Or can they?

Would I want one? I don't know. But the idea of a new +8 ad a 2014 M3W is strangely compelling....

But I really enjoy the tinkering. I had two new Triumph Bonnevilles in the early 2000s, both had that combination of modern engineering, total reliability but with character and "tinkerability". Nearly 15 year on they still sell.
The Roadster is much the same: I know the engine is modern and other than connect an OBD Scanner to it there isn't anything I can do. But the rest of the car? Yes I can play with it and make it mine.

For me I brought a Morgan (an older one) so I could tinker; I love to drive it and explore WA in it but equally I enjoy the "escape" to tinker.

Added to that the wider Morgan community, both locally and globally...

You can still change oil and filter on a modern!
OK, much less engine tinkering, but then they shouldn't need so much. The rest of the car is still a true owner's delight in the sense of owner maintenance...

I agree with you entirely on this Dave. The lack of protection for the lower bush is a design fault that surely would not be difficult to rectify.

A note on the steering effort: with the Suplex kit fitted you notice a further reduction in steering effort due to the fact that the steering bearing is not compressed between two springs. People who have fitted a shortened stiff lower spring have noted the same effect. The Suplex kit is however better than this simplified approach because it is completely adjustable for ride height and has a rising rate spring system.

I've just spent a theraputic morning removing the front wheels, cleaning & polishing the rims and spokes followed by greasing the kingpins.

The amount of road debris on the rebound springs, including leaves, twigs and mud is a concern: I share the view that some sort of protection is needed!

BUT it needs to be ventilated to ensure moisture isn't retained. There lies the problem. At least as they are it is easy to clean off the crud with brake cleaner and then spray with chain grease.

Anyone have a great answer?

DaveW has the solution - I have a pair of his gaiters and they are first class!

There are a number of ways to do this. I ahve a pair of his gaiters (meant originally for my +4) that will go on 'Q'. On my old 4/4 I had some corrugated split electrical duct, held in place with a cable tie. Kept most of the crud out, but allowed any water to escape...

Cheers,