Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Maintenance & Servicing Duplex front suspension. Morgan organ accelerator

I quite agree, Peter. I have heard that a few drivers have disliked the result of Suplex, and I have put this down to driving style.

I believe that if one is the sort of person like myself that prefers to drive on twisty B roads, then the improved suspension compliance and adjustable ride height of the Suplex system gives a massive improvement in the driver experience, especially on less than perfect surfaces.

If, on the other hand, one prefers to drive on well-surfaced A roads, or likes a car that feels like it's set up for track use, then the harder springing of the standard setup is probably preferable - or one should specify one of the harder springs from the race kits, as you say.

I find it particularly interesting that a pal of mine, who had the Suplex kit removed from his Plus 4 as he didn't like it after the first journey, absolutely loves my car, to the point where he has asked to buy it from me should I ever sell. I guess it's all down to how the car is set up, and what ride height is used. Mine is as low as I can get it, and is noticeably less than standard cars.

I agree with Peter and Tim: the Suplex kit and brake reaction bars transformed Aldermog. If I'd kept the car I'd have done as Peter has, and fitted the rear kit.

Instead I went to the "Dark Side"...which is another level completely.

May I also add my two pennyworth here.

I have had the Suplex front suspension kit fitted to my +8 for about 2 years now. For me it has been very worthwhile and totally justifies the (not insignificant) cost.

I can ride around corners with imperfect road surfaces with the front wheels in contact with the surface , rather than hopping around. I am told that the rear kit will bring even bigger improvements but that is another project for another time (for me anyway)

Yes I do feel that there is a perceptible improvement in the handling once you have got the kit set up properly. Don't underestimate the time needed to achieve this , and also the need to check it every 3 moths or so , as the friction in the pins will change over time.

I do feel that the front is better controlled than previously, but some of the compliance possibly leads to a minor change in the "feel" of the front wheels, and some might attribute this to a change for the worse. However for me it works well.

Certainly there is a major (and undisputed) gain in the ride quality, which my wife immediately commented on (and this was a blind test as I didn't tell her abut the change) . This makes long trips more enjoyable for us, and therefore I am really happy with the results for me and my car.

I was looking at a +8 in Techniques yesterday which had the rear Suplex kit partially fitted and was able to view at many of the components close up for the first time. I was very impressed by the design of the top links and the coil over shock absorbers. Some of the welding on the fabricated metal parts looked a trifle "crudely" done , but it did all look very substantial and well up to the job. It is expensive (for most of us) but I am seriously considering it.

The Suplex front suspension gave a massive improvement on my 1954 Plus 4. Having said that, it wore the original 16" wheels with cross ply tyres which give a harder ride than radials so any improvement was welcome. I have a friend who fitted the kit to his mid 1970s Plus 8 and he is really pleased too. However, his car's kingpins and bushes were badly worn and were replaced at the same time, so part of the overall improvement may have been due to that. But in my case the kingpins and bushes had done only a few thousand miles so the improvement was due solely to the Suplex kit.

I have no experience of the Mulberry springs, but there are good reports of them.

Recently at Castle Combe I met up with Peter Ballard (consultant to Suplex) who showed me the 5-link rear Suplex kit on his mid-80s 4/4. Yes, it's a fair number of ££s, but a lot of development has gone into it. It's a possibility for me, despite the cost. Having discussed it with Peter, it can be fitted at home if you have a garasge with some room to work around the car, a decent tool kit and are sufficiently competent in spannering.

Another vote for the Suplex front kit.
No more slalom around manhole covers and potholes, no more hard bottoming out. Better response in the curves, reduced body roll. The car feels more smooth on bad surfaces. At fast cornering I now have much more confidence in the car.

Well in any event Steve H. should now have the information so He can make His own decision about Suplex. As well as Mulberry's offering.

Button
Hanging His Head In Shame

I've had both. On my 97 +4 Suplex got rid of the nodding dog syndrome at speedo was overall better but the car had before knackered king pins & shocks.

My 06 Roadster has a different camber angle and AVO shocks. It handles far better than the older car even with Suplex. I don't see me needing on this car to upgrade. But it is a personal choice.

I have had both roller & organ peddle. Frankly I see no difference unless you want to toe & heel.

Another alternative to consider is the Rutherford setup that my Roadster has, it transformed the nodding dog.

From another 'Archie'!
I am considering a Rutherford upgrade to the front end (springs, dampers, king pins etc.).
What have you had done, and how was the New Elms(?) experience?

In my experience the nodding dog syndrome is usually to one on the parcel shelf.

Sorry couldn't resist, with respect to Morgans I believe it is due to stiction of the king pins, either due to being worn out and need of replacement or due to poor greasing maintenance. On my +8 I replaced the pins and bushes going with Mulfab setup and all was fine. On the Roadster they had no bedded in and needed some serious greasing two or three times pumping all the old stuff out and going up and down a bumpy road. I replaced the grease with Lucas Red n Tacky which IMHO is much better than other products.