Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) Calming the front suspension.....

The Miata must have been badly set up....they usually are very compliant and steer well!


Peter.....I agree with your comments regarding the rear on your car....I was very impressed. I had the nodding issue with my Roadster when I upgraded to Suplex and initially I wasn't impressed. After 1000 miles it went and I can only assume that it was down to overtight bushes.

I had suplex fitted on my +4 at the front. The ride improved dramatically but in reality I do wonder if the new kingpins, bushes & rear shocks also made a difference.

Anyway the nodding dog was gone.

Morgan 2008 4/4 Bog Standard except for adjustable shocks. Just returned from a bumpy jaunt to SW Ireland. The roads we like in backwoods of Devon are no less shocking. It takes a quirky owner to drive the Morgan to such places. I have clocked up 50,000 miles to date. The kingpins MUST be greased at 500 mile intervals. The toe-in I set early on a few years back at 1.5mm and there it remains. I have gaiters wrapped over of strips of chamoise leather to keep the pins clear of dust and dirt. I think it's sad that many an owner/driver of these machines become impatient with the handling & give up or keep the thing hidden away under lock and key.
Next stopover will be to NW Spain somewhere or perhaps the Ardesche again, come September.

Enjoying the humps and bumps.

I fitted AVO's all round from Tim Ayres ( Rutherford developed) on my trad Plus8.
Front now set at 7 clicks up stsrted at 5 and moved to 6 then 7, rear on 1. A good improvement over the Kohnis that were on there. Tyres at 22psi. Regular front greasing and oiling of rear springs .
I might start playing with the rear AVO setting as an experiment.

How many rear leafs do you have? I recently went from a 5 leaf to a 6 leaf rear spring (+8) with good results. I would like to try the new (to me) 4 leaf spring. I hear good things about them.

I find greasing the rear with motorcycle spray grease annually makes a big difference.

Peter Mulberry told Me (when I was in England) that keeping the rear spring greased/oiled/cleaned is the most important aspect of Morgan compliance/handling. And it is simple to do.

Regarding the front end I must agree with Gambalunga/Peter and Robbie; nodding gone and much improved handling and comfort with the Suplex kit on my -99 4/4.

Note: During the conversion process I found that the lower bushing must be in very good shape to make everything work, otherwise the upper bushing will work as a very effective 'brake' on the king pin due to the misalignment. Greasing doesn't help much...

Hi Andy,
This topic has, unsurprisingly, been discussed before. Here's a link to one of my previous posts on the matter which you may find useful - and a lot cheaper than some other more radical options.
http://www.talkmorgan.com/ubbthreads.php/topics/393492/Re:_Softer_rebound_springs#Post393492

Hi Andy,

I cannot say something about the Suplex system I see you have a narrow 2.0 Mog. On my 4/4 Sigma the Avo shocks all around together with 140 pound mulfab front springs do it so well and all I want. The ride is a bit firmer but now I have a really controlled car. Before I was not shure to go up to 140 pound springs because she is really a lightweight. But it works better than I had expected. The best handling out of five Mogs including a P4 SS.
If it works so well on a 4/4 I would not hesitate to get the 140pound springs on a slightly heavier 2.0 Duratec narrow body, Avos setting 7 at the front, six at the rear using stock leave springs. First try alternatives installed on different cars but my solution is not too costly also.