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

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.

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.

Back to louvers obviously

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?

Google for "water based lubricant" and you will find plenty of them, though intended for an entirely different purpose.

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!

Just been watching Winfried Flugsand classic movie and there is a scene in there that evokes my irrational gaiter phobia. When the car bottoms it exposes a lot of pin. If there was a gaiter attached to the stub the rebound spring would be dragged up the pin by the gaiter. Normally the spring wear on the pin is confined to the bottom of the pin but with a gaiter hugging the spring the spring would be taken to new heights. It wouldn’t take much for the tough steel spring to rub off the thou or so of hard chrome surface on a chromed pin. Might this be the damage you see through your magnifying glass?

I think we just have to accept that kingpins are a service item.

With fastidious care, their life will be prolonged, but in the end, the high loading on the bottom bush and hostile environment will win.