Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Morgan Three Wheeler & Super 3 Front impact, what to check?

Earlier today a driver in front of me decided to back up while stopped at a stop sign. Despite my loud voice and horn, he continued to back straight into me. The impact was slow speed and occurred square against the front end, hitting the badge bar, tires and air cleaner (I think). Although there is no visible or obvious cosmetic damage, I now have an audible "clink" sound every time I turn left or right. The sound only happens once or twice with each turn before going silent. The sound is very reminiscent of a pebble knocking of the under body. I have inspected for wheel bearing damage by attempting to push and pull the tires both vertically and horizontally, checked the motor mounts, inspected break rotors and calipers for looseness as well as the steering tie rod ends. Everything appears tight. I could use some experienced feed back on what else to check.

Thanks,

Get the wheel alignment checked and also the steering rack, see if the clunk is damage there.

Depending on the age of the chassis, if it is an early one check very carefully for cracks around the known weak points.

Can you get the car jacked up at the front and get someone to turn the wheels from lock to lock whilst you check the rack and wheels over.? It might then become more apparent.

You have my sympathy !

It's something of a theme this month, idiots backing into Morgans.

I hope that it turns out everything is OK

You have my total sympathy , nearly happened to me early on.
And that is why I fitted an air horn to my M3W , the factory 'tweet' is not really good enough for emergencies.
The grandson likes it as well.

I was involved in a minor front end shunt in my M3W on the way back from TOTH on 11th July, 3 guys in an old car, no brake lights and stopping very quickly for no reason (and a whiplash claim from them I suspect). I almost stopped but hit the back of the other car at walking pace but this resulted in a chassis change. There was a bend in it at the RH lower front suspension mount and further down the transmission tunnel. Initially I thought there was no damage but the steering wheel was about 30 degrees off and there was a rubbing noise from the transmission tunnel area, so it was a recovery truck home. There was no obvious damage or even cosmetic damage to either car, it was only when I had a closer look at home that I found some of the damage.

I was surprised at the extent of the chassis damage for such a minor impact. Credit to both the insurance company and Morgan at Malvern as both worked very quickly and I now have my car back complete with new chassis, just over a month after the accident. Not the best way to upgrade to the latest specification chassis chassis but every cloud has a silver lining, as they say.

Hopefully your impact will not have resulted in anything like this Midgie Man but check the chassis over very closely after anything, even a big pothole I would say. Check for clearances along the transmission tunnel and check the front chassis tubes with a straight edge.

+1

Hâve a look to the chassis
Upper near the body

How did you mount it and where? Tentative Air Horn idea

Basically under the bonnet next to the oil tank , I will post a picture when I can.
I like the one in your link , a bit posher than mine , which is why I hid it under the bonnet