Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) Rear suspension possible mod ?

Didn't know that , I thought it was wishbone on such a car !

Has anyone measured the camber on a pair of new 4 leaf springs, near side and off side?

Madmax before you embark on surgery have you greased the springs with motorcycle chain grease it makes a big difference

Personally I don’t think there is much wrong with the trad rear suspension. I like the firm spring rate and the feel. My only issue is its restricted movement and the uncomfortable bottoming that ensues and gives it such bad press (even with new springs). However it may be fixable (at least on my 2 seater). With a little ingenuity the peak movement can be brought under control.

I’m surprised a low cost aftermarket solution has not been developed over the years given all the debate on the subject. For a few pounds I’ve knocked up some simple adjustable progressive bump stops (the progressive bit is important). After a bit of experimentation with the adjustment my rear end is now under control. I have new springs, adjustable AVOs (that are set to max comfort) and have fine-tuned the bump stops to eliminate the hard bottoming. Given that the suspension movement is very small from the outset and the component variations can be large, adjusting each side of each car to achieve the optimum setting is critical (IMHO). I suspect that even as my new springs age further adjustment will be required. My feeling is that this degree of precision cannot be achieve with a “one size fits all” bump stop on a shock absorber. On my car alone the side to side physical variation is larger than my bump stop setting tolerance and then there are different cars with different weights.

There’s and opportunity here for somebody!

John , the springs haven't been on for long as previous owner had them made by track and classic automotive on 15th April 2014 after much analysis and testing judging by the paperwork in my lever arch file , so its all been done before and this will be the third set put on ! Ok I may be going from frying pan into fire but these new mulfab springs have a good reputation and I'm determined to improve my Mog suspension somehow ! (Too many years of driving wishbone suspension cars ? )

I think SP1 has 4 link rear suspension with a watt's linkage, coil overs and have approximately twice the bump and rebound of the standard rear end. It also cures the problem of the torque, particularly from the 3.7, loading up the rear springs and the resulting movement on the front of the diff.

While developing the suspension the factory fitted it to a roadster.

IMO it is very impressive and looks great with a clever off set for the propeller on the Watt's linkage and, if you are going to have a live axle, this would be the system one would chose.

While many may favour a double wishbones; that system offers some challenges as one needs to locate and secure the diff in the middle of the rear chassis. IMO, without adding considerable weight, there is not the strength in that part of the chassis to do that effectively.

I wonder if we will see Brian's SP1 at the "Thrill on the Hill"?

The major problem with rear suspension of the trad Morgan is the design of the rear part of the chassis. As a design, just like the front end, it was outdated even in the 50s. Travel is just too limited. It is not just bottoming out that is a problem, it is topping out too.

With the small amount of travel available a panhard rod is just as effective a a Watt's linkage and far simpler.

Totally agree. I bought my vehicle with my eyes wide open. I know it’s a motoring relic from the past that relies on a pair of cart springs. It will never perform like it’s modern day equivalent. For me that’s the point of owning a trad.

But it is much nicer with a pair of fine tuned progressive bump stops

Nice to see that someone has got it!