Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) NewElms Rutherford Front Suspension

I like Hamwich's approach. I have a huge amount of experience with attempting to improve Morgan Suspension. I have installed the "SUPLEX Kit", MULFAB Thrust Bearing, Rutherford Rear Springs, Hard Chromed King Pins, Vesconite and Devol Bushes as well as Bronze. But frankly know very little. With 3 Morgans I have 3 sets of problems. Some work and some are a disaster. All 3 have modern Morgan Seats. My first line of defense. Good tires at 22 PSI. Chain Oil on rear springs, Hard Chrome King Pins, Well greased fronts, Thrust Bearings under the main spring and rebounds cut Per Peter Ballard's suggestion. I recently installed AVO/Rutherford shocks on My +8 at lowest setting. They were an improvement. They replaced very old Koni's. My advice would be #1: To get your present setup up to Spec's first.

Thanks to everyone for your thoughts. Sorry I did not include more detail: 1979 Right hand, 4/4, four seat, original crossflow motor, recent chassis reinforcement,

In July I did the Suplex conversion on a 2005 PLUS 4, retaining the damper plate, but installing above it the supplied ball race. The steering is lighter and the ride on all the roads more comfortable. But the steering was not the major problem. In my case it is a real improvement.
By cutting the rebound spring, your shorten the travel where the rebound spring is compressed, but in the same time you increase also its stiffness and its seat is not good, compression force is not in the axle of the spring. In this case, the best way is to find a shorter spring with the same stiffness.
The stiffness of the rebound spring and the upper spring have to be compliant. The Suplex rebound spring is 2.5 times more stiff than the original one, but with any problem. The Suplex travel has roughly 2 times more travel on small bumpy section which solved my main concern.

Sorry for hijacking your thread, my car is almost the same as yours but without the chassis reinforcement.

Thanks from me also for the replies about the steering. Graham, yes my kingpins do have wear and have been an MOT advisory for the last few years. I'll get the mechanic to have a thorough look on Friday when the car goes in. I think the Suplex upgrade is the way to go.

~iw

You'll still need to do the kingpins, Ian. The Suplex kit doesn't include them.

So far as I have able to determine, St Malvern's Dance is a separate issue. Something is wrong. Fix It! Wheels out of balance or round, tires damaged, toe in out of adjustment or steering dampers not working. Badly worn bushes can also be the problem. I don't think the "Suplex Kit" really fix the basic problem.

Ian I kept the damper blades when I fitted the suplex kit.

When I fitted the Suplex in 2014 it totally solved the “nodding dog”issue and really solved the problem of the front hopping on bumpy corners (Irish roads”!!) the Suplex rear suspension adds alittle comfort for “she who must always be listened to” and sharpens the handling quite a bit. I would not have a trad without the front mod and would probably fit the rear to such too,!

No connection to the company - just a happy customer

For what it's worth, I'm with Button. The 'nodding dog's issue is indicative of something wrong with the front of the car and include cracked chassis, damaged stub axles as well as those suggested by Button. The most like causes are steering dampers not properly greased and free, loose tie-bars and out-of-balance wheels.

On the issue of "Nodding Dog", in My case it was the rear springs were too soft. I had removed a leaf to get a more compliant ride. Re-installed the leaf and no more "Nodding Dog".