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Wales
by Joske Vermeule, September 1
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Jun 14th, 2026
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 14,750 Likes: 158
Member of the Inner Circle
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Member of the Inner Circle
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 14,750 Likes: 158 |
In the Morgan world I can say that Mulfab bearings present much lighter steering than with damper blades. The difference is significant. I can also add that Mulfab bearings present lighter steering than MMC steering bearings, and that is why I upgraded Mr Bumble with the kingpin change. Snip I like my Morgan to corner flat, so the very idea of initial roll (after paying the money) puts me off, big time. And so on...........  Dave, I certainly agree that steering bearings make much lighter steering than the blades, but with all due respect, and respect is deserved, to Mulfab bearings are bearings and there are too many other variables to effect the lightness or otherwise of the steering to attribute it to bearings from one supplier or another. To cover the point about initial roll I would defy most drivers to detect it in a properly setup Suplex system. I repeat that my car corners noticeably much flatter than it did with the original springs. I have had some correspondence with Colin on the subject and I do not doubt that he can feel initial roll by comparison to his car but it needs to be noted that he has set up his car to suit his taste and driving style. I must bow to his experience on fetling suspension, but it is quite likely that I would not want my car set up the same way for the use that I give it. Those of us that were early adopters took a risk and most are content. Now there are enough Suplex kits fitted that you can probably find someone to take you for a run or even give you a test drive. Personally I just wanted a car that could go round corners at least as well as the average family sedan. Quite frankly Morgan did not deliver that car. Now I have a car that can give me the satisfaction of doing better than the family sedan. As I said before. It is a matter of personal choice and taste and I am quite sure it does not suit everyone. However, if you just want a car that handles well, doesn't crash over bumps, doesn't skitter on a bumpy corner, and at the same time gives a comfortable ride, then you should not be put off by talk of what to me is undetectable initial roll.
Last edited by Gambalunga; 19/02/15 10:35 PM.
Peter ![[Linked Image]](http://bradley.it/public_images/drive.jpg)
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Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 5,182 Likes: 2
Charter Member
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Charter Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 5,182 Likes: 2 |
Thanks Peter for link to that thread, on the SP1 i missed it last year. Must have been asleep. Thanks again.
Last edited by Ray; 19/02/15 10:42 PM.
.+8 Now gone for a 1800 4/4. Duratec in bright yellow.
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Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 3,383 Likes: 14
Talk Morgan Addict
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Talk Morgan Addict
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 3,383 Likes: 14 |
In the Morgan world I can say that Mulfab bearings present much lighter steering than with damper blades. The difference is significant. I can also add that Mulfab bearings present lighter steering than MMC steering bearings, and that is why I upgraded Mr Bumble with the kingpin change. Snip I like my Morgan to corner flat, so the very idea of initial roll (after paying the money) puts me off, big time. And so on........... Dave, I certainly agree that steering bearings make much lighter steering than the blades, but with all due respect, and respect is deserved, to Mulfab bearings are bearings and there are too many other variables to effect the lightness or otherwise of the steering to attribute it to bearings from one supplier or another. To cover the point about initial roll I would defy most drivers to detect it in a properly setup Suplex system. I repeat that my car corners noticeably much flatter than it did with the original springs. I have had some correspondence with Colin on the subject and I do not doubt that he can feel initial roll by comparison to his car but it needs to be noted that he has set up his car to suit his taste and driving style. I must bow to his experience on fetling suspension, but it is quite likely that I would not want my car set up the same way for the use that I give it. Those of us that were early adopters took a risk and most are content. Now there are enough Suplex kits fitted that you can probably find someone to take you for a run or even give you a test drive. Personally I just wanted a car that could go round corners at least as well as the average family sedan. Quite frankly Morgan did not deliver that car. Now I have a car that can give me the satisfaction of doing better than the family sedan. As I said before. It is a matter of personal choice and taste and I am quite sure it does not suit everyone. However, if you just want a car that handles well, doesn't crash over bumps, doesn't skitter on a bumpy corner, and at the same time gives a comfortable ride, then you should not be put off by talk of what to me is undetectable initial roll. Peter, mine is not set up that radically actually, just a little on the nose (turns in sharp) but the point I made to you is that it was actually Peter Ballard who developed the system who said to me before I drove his car away from the car park that "you will notice an increase in roll on turn in but it soon stiffens up" he was right and it did. Peter only said it because he knew that for a period before I went in to training I was a test driver at Jaguar Experimental and had worked on suspension development at Jaguar, the fact we were 400 yards from MIRA where I used to drive on a regular basis was a coincidence ;-)
BR Colin
Who used to be a Spanner Juggler
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Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 3,565 Likes: 14
Talk Morgan Addict
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Talk Morgan Addict
Joined: Oct 2011
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Yes, where is Peter B. when you need him?
Talking about the weight of the steering, on my 2014 +4 GDi, I have been very pleasantly surprised at just how light the steering is, almost as if it had power to it. Interestingly though, there appear to be tight spots on the rack, so when turning from straight ahead to full lock, it seems to tighten up and then ease off again.
Paul
[At last, I have a car I can polish]
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 534 Likes: 1
Talk Morgan Regular
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Talk Morgan Regular
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 534 Likes: 1 |
I'm reading this thread with interest as I've ended up selling my previous Plus 8's (twice) because of the appalling ride quality and "nodding dog" characteristics of the front suspension. If the new Suplex set up cures this and improves ride, I may well be back in the market for a Plus 8.
What's the cost of the kit?
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 12,269 Likes: 324
Scruffy Oik Member of the Inner Circle
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Scruffy Oik Member of the Inner Circle
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 12,269 Likes: 324 |
What's the cost of the kit? I paid £499 + VAT. Or was it 599? Can't remember now.
Last edited by Hamwich; 20/02/15 04:45 PM.
Tim H.
1986 4/4 VVTi Sport, 2002 LR Defender, 2022 Mini Cooper SE
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Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 5,587
Charter Member
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Charter Member
Joined: Aug 2014
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I've got the bearing upgrade and after driving other plus 4's earlier on the steering is much lighter but well balanced ie I can feel the tyres on the road . With a smaller steering wheel now fitted its even better .
Geneva 2016 plus 8' The Green Godess' 4 side exits .
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 22,371 Likes: 354
Roadster Guru Member of the Inner Circle
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Roadster Guru Member of the Inner Circle
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 22,371 Likes: 354 |
Paul, I think you'll find that what you perceive as tight spots in the rack will be tight spots in the column geometry - i.e. the UJ's, which are not seamlessly smooth in rotation. If you wish to add a bit more lubrication to the rack, it's easy enough to clip the cable tie at the end, pack a bit more grease in, and refit with a new tie.
Peter, I only have experience of two types of steering bearing. The MMC bearing is significantly smaller than the Mulfab, and the MMC bearing has a rubber upper cover/sheath. Now you know what a big fan I am of rubber, but in this application it creates significant stiction, and it takes some effort off the car to turn the bearing. The Mulfab upper cover is aluminium, spun by the look of it, and the bearing will spin effortlessly. On the car the transformation is obvious.
The MMC effort is better than steering dampers, but nowhere near as good as the Mulfab bearing. My Roadster feels like it has power steering, even with the wide wheels. Mr Bumble has not yet panned in his kingpins, but the difference is there and will improve with a few more (hundred) miles.
There's one more thing I forgot to mention earlier. When parabolic rear springs were introduced for the MGB it was found quite soon after that in cars with V8's, they quickly deformed into an S shape due to axle wind up. This didn't happen with the Rv8, but the aftermarket springs at the outset were not well enough engineered to deal with the torque.
DaveW
'05 Red Roadster S1
'16 Yellow (Not the only) Narrow AR GDI Plus 4
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Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 3,565 Likes: 14
Talk Morgan Addict
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Talk Morgan Addict
Joined: Oct 2011
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Dave, thanks for the pointer. Now you've mentioned it, my 'sticktion' does feel like the u/j binding slightly. I find I can live with little mechanical deficiencies if I know what the cause is.
Paul
[At last, I have a car I can polish]
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 534 Likes: 1
Talk Morgan Regular
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Talk Morgan Regular
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 534 Likes: 1 |
Thanks for the price indication. Looks like a genuinely great upgrade.
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