Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Maintenance & Servicing Sqeaky Leaf Springs

My Plus 8 has developed an annoying squeak which appears to be from the leaf springs. Various non-Morgan sources I have checked recommend WD40 or aerosol lithium grease. WD40 seems pretty thin and seems like it would wash off the first time I drive in the rain. Any one tried those or have another recommendation? At the risk of eliciting the "they all do that, live with it" response, any general suggestions for taming squeaks and rattles in a Morgan?

Many thanks for any help or suggestions.

-- John

John, This is as much- if not more- a general suggestion rather than a direct response to the 'squeaky spring' issue but given that the trads are all chassis- built as opposed to unitary construction and so an amount of flexing is inherent, one of the best general tips is to check all nuts and bolts for tightness. If you use a good dealer for service then they should include this procedure as matter of course. ( MIne certainly does) If you DIY, the time spent doing this is definitely not wasted

Regards,
G

PS be prepared to find a mixture of metric, AF and even Whitworth threads depending upon the age of the car

I sprayed mine with Aerosol Motorcycle chain lubricant as it appeared dry when I first got my car last year (2002 model). It certainly made the rear end a lot more 'supple' and it did cure an odd creak too! (I thought it was the wife for a while :-) )

Easy job, jack it up and spray (the spray had a tube attachment so easy to do each individual leaf). Will give it another go when I fully 'winterize' her (Car not the wife!)

Does Morgan / anyone, lubricate new rear leaf springs as / before they are fitted?

In one of Dave W's posts , Dave talks about designing a Gaiter for the rear springs to keep the dirt out (even though they are protected inboard to a degree).

As our car is new, are there any disadvantages to wrapping a velcro closed gaiter around each end of them?

I,ve already made and added top and bottom Gaiters to the front springs - They take a couple of minutes each set to put on and remove.

The grease bandages I wrapped around the leaf springs of my 4/4 stopped the squeaks but made the springing too supple: The differential case banged against the bottom of the rear deck when driving (admittedly a bit "spirited") over humps.

The new springs stopped squeaking by themselves after about 8000 miles. So this was a "repair" in the true Morgan spirit...

Frank

Hi John,

Had the same problem on my 4/4. got the same story of WD40. But was told to use it on the spring hangar bushes if possible. This is a touch awkrawd to do on the front leaf spring hangar. However, more importantly, the little bit I got in there did seem to work for a 1000miles or so and then it tended to go by itself.
Hope this helps
Gaz

Depending upon how cold it is when I do the bi annual waxoyling of the undersideI take the covers off from by the seats on the inside of the car to access the springs at the front.
Then I paint them in old engine oil.

If it is cold & I have had enough I go the bike chain lube route.

It does loosen things up.