Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Maintenance & Servicing SSL 5 Link Rear End

hello Lowflyer,
we have both ,the 5 link system on the AR and the normal suspension on our +4 , 2008. We have the +4 since 2 monds and afther 2000 km I(and 550km weekend Ardennen /Luxemburg )have changed the frontsuspension to the Suplex of which I am very ,very satisfied(thanks to rid967 TM member how sold it to me). The rear on the +4 is ok . The car has done 6500 miles now. But,.... the 5 link of the AR is total different , much better in evriting ,BIG different, my opinion, worth to change

stefan
+4
ARP4
+8

Thanks gents, a lot of useful info there, think I'll see about a demo.

I have 3 Morgans a '61 DHC, A'63 +4-4Str and a +8 Bitsa built on a '98 chassis. I have also driven quite a lot of Morgans but not anything newer than 2005. They are all different so far as ride and comfort. The '63+4 is the best. The +8 is the worst. I have installed the front Suplex Kit on all 3 of My Morgans. It is now on the DHC and I like it. The '63 +4 is original suspension so far as I know. It has Koni shocks on all 4 corners. I have more theories than I can count as to why the difference. I think (THINK) that the front and rear hoops take out some chassis/body flexibility on the newer models. Actually probably a good idea based on how We drive these cars today. As far as spring over rear suspension I drove a Issis Motors +8+ for 4 days. It was OK. It was a borrowed Morgan and I minded My manners.

As I am old it takes Me forever to get to the point. I think the 5 link must be bolted into Your current Morgan in order to ascertain if it is a fit or not.

Just to add to this, I have a Suplex front kit with Bilsteins and have recently fitted the 5 link rear kit with about 500 miles since fitting. The car is a 61 Plus 4 with the TR engine putting out about 100bhp. I was lucky because Peter Ballard lives fairly close and was kind enough to direct the fitting in the correct sequence with me being a second pair of hands and doing spannering as instructed.

Together we fitted the kit in 8 hours spread over two days. The instructions are detailed and helpful, but I was lucky as Peter knows exactly what sequence to do tasks. Realistically estimate 12 hours for a newby.

My experience is that it vastly improves the ride quality at the rear and improves the handling. I live in the Bristol area and anyone is free to PM me to come and have a test ride.

The rear springing on my car was not good with very weak leaf springs and non adjustable dampers on a Rutherford frame. So I was in the position of having to spend several hundred pounds on new springs, good quality dampers and probably anti-tramp bars (although maybe these are not vital with only 100bhp). As I plan to keep the car for many years, it was well worth taking the plunge with the 5 link kit.


Tony

I have been pleased with the SSL front end on my Plus 8 for quite a while.

The 5L is a more serious investment that is certain, but in my opinion well worth while.

I tried a Plus 8 that was fitted with the Bilstein non-adjustable dampers and was very impressed with the ride quality, so decided to go ahead.

I am only 2 weeks after the conversion and have yet to find the optimum sweet spot for the dampers, but my initial comments are:

The first thing you notice has nothing to do with the ride, but the turn in is enormously improved. My Plus8 now handles like a sprightly 4/4, and I am really enjoying this extra agility while touring up in the Scottish Highlands. I have the adjustable Spax dampers fitted, and although I am still experimenting there an improvement in ride quality, but perhaps not as much as I had anticipated. I do however notice more difference when running with 2 up and full luggage and running solo. I think it is capable of delivering a really great ride once I find the sweet spot

The installation I looked at diy but was very glad I let Williams handle it under Peter Ballard’s specs on ride heights and suggested settings. It was quite tricky as the battery position had to be switched across the car and also the handbrake mechanism. Not jobs for those without some good workshop facilities.

So I do recommend it strongly but more for the handling than the ride.

When fitting these suspension mods, would it not be prudent to strengthen the chassis for torsional stiffness to allow the new, improved suspension to work better?

I know there was a thread somewhere which featured an engineered floor rather than ply.

The SSL kit does include a chassis cross brace for that end of panhard rod mount.

Ciao John

I was actually out with a friend today to do a couple of mountain passes. We went to the top of Passo San Marco, just under 2,000 metres. A fine day but a bit chilly up at that altitude.

At one point, passing through a town, I didn't see a speed hump before I hit it (sun in my eyes and no road marking). Certainly the travel wasn't enough and we took a fair jolt but I think the car took it well.

Regarding adjustment. The SSL suspension can be adjusted for axle position. I have mine as far back as possible to centre the wheels in the wheel arch and within the limits of the live axle some alignment adjustment would be possible. If ever you have seen how the damper hoop is fitted at the factory you would be shocked. there is nothing precise about it at all. The hole in the vertical part of the chassis rails are elongated so a variation in position of about 20mm is possible and then the holes in the top of the rail are drilled when the damper hoop is fitted. My car has a 10mm difference in position from one side to the other. There is no reason why the bolt hole in the top of the SSL bracket, or the chassis rails, could not be "adjusted" to more accurately position the SSL cross brace/ damper hoop.

As far as ride is concerned we often carry luggage for two on long trips and I have opted for a slightly higher rate rear springs. Despite that the ride is very comfortable. Not up to modern saloon car standards but quite acceptable. As a bonus the handling and road holding has definitely improved.

Make no mistake there is a good reason why Morgan themselves are fitting 5 link suspension on some of their cars. As a retrofit, if you are looking for more comfortable touring, I can certainly recommend it.