Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) Morgan +4 1960 – Steering

Hello!
My name i Christer Svensson and I am living in Sweden. I have owned my Morgan +4 1960 for about 20 years. This is my first visit at/on/in Talk Morgan. I would like to upgrade the steering of the car. Is it possible to get a collapsable steering column together with a better worm-and-peg type of steering system? I have heard of Gemmer – is that good? Is it possible to fit rack and pinion steering?
Is there anyone out there who can give me some guidance?

Hi Christer,

Yes it is possible to upgrade to the Gemma steering box , but it is no small task so do not underestimate the time and expense involved.

The cheapest way would be to get a Gemma box welded onto your straight column, that way is possible and a good engineering shop should be able to get most of the work done for you.

If you want to collapsable column , now be prepared for some expense. As well as the column and Gemma box , you will need a new wing valence to support the column, and due to the angles involved I am told that you must re-route the main wiring loom where it exits from the bulkhead. The top part of the column (collapsable) will need totally different mountings from the current one and again I think I remember that the angles need modification to get it to fit. This is a serious amount of work, that almost constitutes a rebuild!

As well as all this work you will upset the "originality police" , the Gemma box can be reasonably well hidden, the telescopic column not so. The 60s +4s are becoming very rare now, and the most sought after are the competition cars and the "original" ones.

I would start by getting your current box rebuilt to proper tolerances and get all the track rod end joints in proper order.

If you are concerned about the heaviness of the steering consider a Mulfab bearing kit rather than a telescopic column.

Sorry Christer I completely forgot about your question of fitting a rack and pinion to your car.

The short answer is yes , but it is going to be even more expensive than the telescopic column and Gemma box. Again you will need all the extras for the Gemma box , plus the Rack itself and the drop arms. You also have rubber gaiters which cover the rack ends and this is now a maintenance item as they do split.

Additionally you might not like the result , most trad Morgan drivers agree that the best "feel' from the steering comes when you have a Gemma box and long drag links. The R & P system may be more modern but it doesn't necessarily give better feel.

And if you are concerned about the originality police on the Gemma , they will be far worse about the R & P conversion.

Crister,
If you have lived with he original long shaft stg box for 20 years, I would consider having it rebuilt and fitting Mulfab bearings to the bottom of the main springs to lighten up the steering somewhat and keep the car pretty original.

A Gemmer box will be far less expensive than a rack and pinion setup and gives a result almost as good. IMHO.
Cheers,

Many thanks
to Andy G, John and Mark for really quick response.
Yes, I have also thought about the originality of the car. And the steering have always worked well – until this summer when it started to feel tardy (?) in the central position. (It was not caused by lack of oil in the box.) Perhaps I should start with rebuilding the box. Do you know where I can find help and instructions for such a rebuild?

Christer

Have you tried adjusting the screw on the top of the steering box to take up the wear in it.It could be some thing simple.

Some info here and here.

Christer--Following is a very personal opinion:

- I own a 1958 +4, bought in 1972 and raced, rallied and pleasure driven since
then. I have re-built it chassis up two times and each time I have considered
the same issue. My opinion is that I like the original. As others say below,
make sure the steering is set up correctly. Use at least 90 weight oil and heavier
is ok. Make sure you remove the road wheels to reduce weight and then adjust
the screw until it is just noticeable--almost not at all. As long as you use
rather standard 165/15 radials or 175/15 radials the steering should be good.
One distinct advantage of this set up is going into any 90 degree turn or more
under power, you should be able to floor the throttle, basically release the
steering wheel and it will self correct to dead straight ahead. A distinct
advantage in racing. (I did the Macau GP support race 13 consecutive times
and there is a 180 degree dropping hairpin--you can gain seconds by not having
to unwind the steering wheel!).

- I also own a 1986 +4 bought new from the factory which has the Gemmer.
Great box and works well with the wider profile tires. Still good road feel
and certainly easier to park!

Earlier point on the 1958 does nothing to resolve the collapsable column safety
issue.

I just happen to be a stickler for originality.

Good luck.

TomS

I believe that a steering box together with drop arms and drag links suit a Morgan's chassis and suspension design much better than a rack and pinion setup.

Chassis flexibility combined with the vertical sliding pillar (actually the stub axle moves not the pillar) means that bump steer is built into a rack and pinion setup whereas a steering box setup is much more tolerant of a Morgan's chassis characteristics.

Why did Morgan move to rack & pinion? Most probably fashion and without understanding chassis and suspension geometry. in addition, unavailability of supply.