Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Maintenance & Servicing How long should front suspension last?

Hi Brian,
I'm surprised at your bad experience, I've had mulberry bearings and springs on my last two mogs, a plus 8 and a plus 4 both were improved incredibly, the 8 was almost like it had power steering the difference was so great, lighter steering and nice and easy to drive.
The plus 4 wasn't as noticeably better as the front end wasn't so heavy, but the higher rated springs which spanner juggler fitted removed the front end crash which happened every time I hit a pot hole (inadvertently) in the plus 4.
Made the driving of both cars so much nicer for me.

Hi robmog88
Thanks for that.
Mulberry bearings do have an excellent reputation.
The roller/needle bearings fitted to my +8 some years ago were, I suspect, offered as an alternative as the spring didn't need modification. They were nowhere near as substantial as the Mulberrys and probably therein lay the problem. I don't know, I'm no engineer.
So, I'm in a quandary! Do I overcome my mistrust of bearings or do I just go for AVOs with h/c king pins?
I'll let you know!
Brian

Yes mine has the rear rutherford modifications
works for me

Just a thought, if Mulberry bearings fitted to a 93 +4 would the castor angle need changing? I'm in deep water here!
Brian

Depends on the steering arrangement. AIUI they switched from 4 degrees to 6 degrees when they went from steering boxes to rack and pinion.

I believe that most people (myself included) who have tried steering bearings and found negative effects have steep angle/steering box cars with relatively narrow tyres, and have removed the damper blades.

The modern cars with R&P and wider tyres don't seem to have any ill effects at all from fitting the bearings, and of course MMC dispensed with the damper blades some years ago now.

On my 4/4 (narrow tyres. 4 degrees, steering box) I am currently running the Suplex system with bearing and damper blades, and it's fine at all speeds apart from an occasional tiny self-damping oscillation at the traditional 'Malvern Dance' speed of 47mph. The easy solution is to go faster (or slower of course, but who wants to do that?)

I've decided to try the traditional route and opted for AVOs all round + hc kps and Rutherford modified front springs + brake reaction stays.
I suppose it all depends on how well it's all set up at the end of the day, regardless of system. Oh well, we'll see .....
Brian

What are Rutherford modified front springs?

Button
Seattle

Button, have a look at:
http://www.newelmsmorgan.com/rutherford-parts.htm

Full details on their price list. I spoke with them yesterday, their thinking is no bearings are needed, the rebound spring is loaded differently and the main springs are simply to your choice. Not so much an upgrade, more an update to the suspension.
Brian

Sure looks like the stuff Peter Mulberry makes.

Button