Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Morgan Three Wheeler & Super 3 Belt noise

How much is the rear sprocket?its a big job correct?any special tools needed?

Sprocket cost ???
Special tools - regular tools and two large adjustable wrenches for the large wheel nuts - lock tight - bailing wire to hold up brake drum assembly while wheel is off or watch the brake line break - a lift is necessary - up and down a number of times -
Difficult? Tedious, very dirty as when you have to change it out, the aluminum has been reduced to aluminum oxide powder (black dust) and covers everything! Once everything has been changed out then the tedium sets in to get everything aligned just so. Final test is on the lift with wheel suspended and fire up the engine in neutral then gently putting the shifter in fifth gear but not all the way. Let the synchro do the work and get that wheel spinning so as to see where it tracks. Once that is done then put everything else back together

I saw the SuperMax link when it was mentioned before and thought it looked good. I will be very interested to see how it goes Michael H. I also have a spare worn sprocket that may be good for modification. At the moment I am not through the anodising on the second sprocket so all is quiet but I am sure it is just a matter of time. Probably the sandy environment doesn't help wear for your car Q8, maybe start enquiring about a new sprocket as it is never a quick process with a warranty claim.

I tried several different solutions to reduce the belt noise. I took it to Berrybrook and they tightened it up, but it still squeaked. I then found on a US forum on belt driven Motorbikes and it suggested using very thick grease. I tried a few different ones which all cured it for a limited time (100 miles or so). I finally used a very thick Molybdenum grease (DX3) I smeared it liberally over the Belt teeth. I have now done 700 miles and it has just started to squeak a little, so I may have to put some more on, but I am happy with this.

That may be a cure but I don't think it is THE cure. For that we need a more durable rear sprocket design IMHO. Belt dressings are just a short term cure if you have a worn sprocket.

I talked with Vivian, the owner of the SuperMax company that grinds off the teeth on a worn sprocket and then rebuilds the teeth with neoprene. They have been at this for a long time. I described what we have been going through and she immediately went to the aluminum composition of the rear sprocket as the only culprit. To her, these are all off-the-shelf replacement sprockets with a dubious heritage. They do have one thing in common: low price in comparison to sprockets made of tougher aluminum or steel. The alloys become expensive and the harder they are the more expense you will have machining them.

She quoted me ~$535 not including shipping. It takes time and they do small batches. She did add that they had been in touch with one of their first customers who has passed 150,000 miles on his belt driven sprocket and it is still quiet and looks almost new.

Alignment is still critical as well as tension. Too tight is a definite no-no. The belt still needs to track reasonably centered in order to not damage the belt by having the sides fray.

I have arranged for my dealer to ship my old sprocket back to me. He needed it to fight for the warranty on my behalf. Again. I am going to bite the bullet and do this as, even with my new rear sprocket (the third!) having been deep anodized, it has already started the small chirping noises in less than 1,000 miles so it is only a matter of time. As of next week my warranty dries up like a California reservoir during the summer.

I, too, have heard rumors of steel sprockets in Morgan's future. A little late for me...

Just browsed this topic...
I am not an M3W owner.
Has anyone tried a Teflon or similar coating on the rear sprocket?
Also, isn't there a danger that any oils will pick up dirt/ grit and effectively become a grinding paste accelerating wear? A belt cover to reduce dirt ingress?
The Teflon would reduce friction and the need for lubricants, helping to keep profiles of the teeth in shape. Steel sprockets could he harder, again reducing wear and loss of profile.
The reason I mention Teflon is that I had parts coated for machinery in the factory I worked at and it improved friction issues with good surface integrity maintained. I used company called Poeton as they supplied major companies and had a local base in Cardiff 200 yards away!
Hard chrome plating may work but not easy on aluminium base!
In general I get the impression that the belt issues need regular close monitoring/ adjustment which may put a lot of people off, but be less so for hands on types who enjoy tinkering. Still, it seems like not enough design/ material selection was done in the development of the M3W - a great shame as the car is a great concept and if I had the ££££ what a potentially fun machine.
Good luck to all you M3W pilots!.

Have a look at this...

http://youtu.be/ZKTt3i1cmQg

very clean , unlike mine !

Did I spy Koni shocks??? If so what are the details?