Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Maintenance & Servicing The dreaded King Pins ...again

Redesign the assembly to take some decent recirculating linear ball bearings if we must stick to sliding pillars



The tribology is very specific to each material combination. There are several mechanisms for wear, abrasion, microscopic welding, microscopic heat, oxidisation so it is difficult to generalise but the “paste” or hard debris can become a problem when it is not flushed out and embeds itself into the surface of the softer matrix.

On a basic level, friction results in wear.

Grease reduces friction, unfortunately the Morgan design doesn't allow the grease to remain in place but it does allows dirt and moisture to enter the bearing surfaces.

Vesconite has a lower co efficient of friction than bronze and is also self-lubricating.

Other synthetic materials are available.

As Morgan seem reluctant to change the fundamental design of the front suspension they could at least better engineer it to increase longevity and reduce maintenance.

I understand that they looked at a car fitted with the Librands wishbone front suspension but decided not to use it. Sooner or later they must upgrade the chassis and suspension design. I predict a move to all alloy tubs, probably a smaller version than the Aero/Plus 8 tub. In effect it is inevitable but will increase the cost of the basic models.

This a problem with Vesconite and Devol. I install grease seals top and bottom of axle tube to reduce this harmful grit/paste. It works to a degree I think. Also the Gaiter's are a help. But I can find some damage to My Hard Chromed KP's if I look thru a magnifying glass. Where You live and drive is also an issue. Texas, not good. Western Washington, better still not really good. Eastern Washington and Oregon, terrible!

There is an interesting characteristic with stainless too when choosing to use it in a frictional situation. If you lose the lube and the contact load is high enough the stainless’s natural thin protective film can be broken away. The damage is self-repairing in an oxidizing environment so when done repeatedly leaves a black microscopic abrasive oxide dust or powder.

If the Morgan factory does do away with kingpins as has been suggested, what are we going to discuss on Talk Morgan then!

Arwyn

Back to louvers obviously

I don't see why they would need to go to an alloy tub just yet.

Alternative front and rear suspension models for the trad chassis are already available and proven. If they choose they could combine this with a stiffening up of the existing chassis and they're good to go for a few more years at least.

Exactly!
Can't see why it could so difficult to put gaiters around the rebound spring area which obviously is the weakest point at present. It would probably make both bushings and kingpins last at least double the average miles... whatever that is. Cars that runs on dirtroads would benefit most I assume. My hardchrome/Vesconite setup has been greased a few times only during 7500 miles and are in very good condition. I use DaveW's gaiters and fitted scrapers rings (seals) at the bottom end.
What I'm trying to say is that I agree with 'mph' above and believe the sliding 'hub/pillar' technology could quite easily be developed to perform and last better and longer... significantly so, by putting some hours into testing new materials and techniques (like many that's been put forward here on TM). Perhaps even a way of getting more for the money - from the factory's point of view - as well as the customers. I have always favoured evolution before revolution... but thats just me.

Vesconite seems like the best. At least, so far, I feel it is the best. Hardchrome King Pins with a thicker coating of chrome would help. I use 1" Hydraulic Rod and the chrome coat is very thin. Not an engineer, but from what I read water is the best lubricant for Vesconite. It was designed to operate in Water. But how does one meter water into a Vesconite system. I have some ideas but wonder how many gallons of water it will take to drive 300 miles. Is there a water based lubricant?

Also the Factory and Dealers need to get on board if Vesconite is to be used. The experience with Devol tells Me that it was impossible to get the Employees to follow simple instructions. Thus Devol failed. The Mfg Rep that represented Vesconite were not much help. Actually the Big Guy at Vesconite called Me. But He liked to talk and not sure He listened. Actually think He was trying to find out how many bushes Morgan Inc. would buy. When I told Him I think He lost interest.

Further the Bronze Bushes and Chrome Pins that Peter Mulberry developed and I think MSC copied are pretty damn good.

If the Owners would install gaiters and seals I think it would be as good as it gets.