Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Maintenance & Servicing Rear Suspension Bottoming

Remember that ride height and suspension is provided by springs and the spring bounce is controlled by dampers (often called shock absorbers but in reality they are 'frequency' dampers). Some think fitting different dampers is a cure, that for sure will slow the oscillation frequency but not the full suspension travel which is the condition you report.

A good instructor at college when I was an apprentice summed it up well when he said 'think of the dampers as giving the springs time to do their work'.....never heard a better explanation ;-).

Come on John admit it, you really want to fit Titanium bolts and have nice sparks under braking like the F1 boys ;-).......types someone who once fitted Titanium 'hero blobs' the small protrusions on motorbike footrests so that they sparked on corners.....only because I was too old to get my knee down or I would have bought knee sliders with flints in....ROFL.

Ok, so AVO / Adjustable dampers are a good idea.. However if you have a 2007 4 seater, what leaf spring type do you go with, morgan did't do a 6 seater.. Is there a difference in spring count, also are they easy to change on a 2007 4 seater?

Will

Air suspension helps to avoid bottoming out. You also get adjustable ground clearance by use of the on-board compressor.

Harald

Hi Will

My advice is to talk to Peter Mulberry at Mulfab, ask him to quote for a pair of latest specification 4 seater springs, at the same time upgrade to his heavy duty U bolts and lower plates that come wth new nylocs nuts, they don't bend like the OE ones. Personally I would take his advice about dampers and the Aero Racing Spax adjustables are well made and have a good reputation, I have fitted a few during kingpin work and they are a nice unit.

As to fitting, they are a pig to do, the problem is the body is in the way....if you have a mate to help they are considerably easier but plan a full day that's a piece of cake to get apart and a lot of bad words and straining to get back together...if you can borrow or rent some very large G clamps the job is far simpler and less bad words are muttered. Technically easy, physically exhausting is my summary, I have done a few sets but never again, too old now ;-).

AVOs sorted mine, dead easy to fit...................just got Cain to do it

I fitted AVOs as my rear shocks were knackered. They work a treat and even noticed the improvement. But...that was to cure a known problem of the shocks. I agree re you may have poor leafsprings, too soft. The suggestion to check any impacts on a tooltray above the axle is good too. There were witness marks on mine to show contact so padding, securing jack etc have cured this. The wooden panel on the shelf was also "tightened down" with rubber and foam too.
In fact, anything that moved and might cause rattles/bumps was secured where sensible using neoprene,rubber tape,cable ties.
The front chassiis does still ground on speed bumps if taken at the wrong speed but only rarely now as I am more careful! Beware tailgaters though...they seem to underestimate how long I take on bumps due to lower speed!

Worth mentioning that the assymetrical 4 leaf springs designed by Dan White of Suplex but available from dealers (not direct from Suplex) have a good reputation. Also Bilstein dampers designed to work with the Morgans are pretty good and have inbuilt progressive bump stops that can really soften out the end of stroke.

Thats what I hope, they are waiting in my garage for mounting probably next winter. I have not looked closer, they are still packed and I thought they were four leaf springs. Regardless of number of springs they should solve the issue of winding up due to torque without having to use anti tramp bars concerning the relatively moderate engine output.

Sorry correction! That should be "4 leaf springs designed by Dan White"

4 and 5 are very close together on a smart phone

PS. I have corrected my original post.