Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) limited spring travel

I have a question that is probably typical of newcomers (I searched the forum but found nothing - although it has certainly already been discussed):

During the first rides with our new Plus 4 I noticed a noise several times during bumps. It sounded like there wasn't enough travel. What amazes me, however, is that it wasn't a big bump. There were 2 persons in the vehicle (approx. 160 kg) without further payload.

What's beating what?

Is there anything to consider here, or are "they all doing it"?

Possibly the prop shaft is hitting the transmission tunnel - not uncommon on Morgans. Look for signs of contact on the tunnel just forward of the diff.
Alternatively, check that the exhaust system is securely mounted and not in contact with any body parts.
Don.

Don, thank you for the hints! Will try to check.

Front or rear?

On steady travel or on braking or accelerating?

If you have over riders make sure that the bracket isn't catching the wings (mine were mounted wrong )

Michael, yes it could be the propshaft but at least on my 4/4 the propshaft only touches the transmitting tunnel under hard acceleration in first and second gear and when loaded with two people and a full tank.The Plus4 offers some more torque and could be involved easier.
I have no knowledge about a standard Plus4 if she has anti tramp bars etc.

But what you describe sounds to me more like the leaf springs could make the sound and touch the frame on bumps when loaded with 160 Kg and a full petrol tank. This also was the case with my 4/4 and I changed for adjustable damper. It is not the most elegant way but it helps to keep the rear a bit more under control.

Rear. From drivers seat (LHD) it sounds like slightly right beheind.

As far as I remember it was steady travel when passing a slightly uneven surface (tarmaced road).

No overriders at rear, only the bar for mounting the luggage rack.

How old is the car?
The leaf springs need lubricating annually . I use motorcycle chain lube spray. That might help.

Lots of info here
http://www.gomog.com/allmorgan/rear.htm

The amount of travel is really quite limited. At one point Morgan had a batch of very poor quality leaf springs but the current production should be OK. If, by chance, the leaf springs are too low there is the possibility that the top of the diff is hitting the tool tray, but that is very unlikely. In any case if the rear suspension is bottoming out you would really feel it.
If the sound is on compression, particularly in cornering, it could be, as others have said, the prop shaft touching the transmission tunnel. This would be a sort of grinding noise. If this is the case it may be that a panhard rod, a worthwhile investment anyway, would resolve the problem.
The other possibility is that the axle is hitting the plywood of the inner mudguard. These are sometimes cut with inadequate clearance and easilly fixed.

The other possibilty, if it is a sort of "clonk", is that as you come off the bump the bottom of the axle is hitting the rebound bump stop which is on top of the chassis under the axle. On my car I have reduced the height of this rebound stop so that it is at the minimum that ensures there is no metal to metal contact anywhere. A good set of adjustable damping rear shocks may resolve this problem as the rebound damping will help.

I have to watch it. Did some fast accelerations but as far as I remember it was not linked to that.

I don't think so.

As I am close to the dealer today I might go there for a short stop.

If you have the tool tray fitted remove it, then see if the noise has gone.