Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) General advice sought

I've always regarded a Morgan as my ultimate dream car and am now at the stage of being able to fulfil my dream and buy one.
I've recently test driven a 2017 Plus 4 and was not disappointed by the sublime view down the bonnet but unfortunately found the steering and the clutch to be really heavy. Is that usual?
Is the 4/4's clutch any lighter?

The steering can be heavy if the king pins have not been greased or the tyre pressures are off / low. There is generally no power steering so it is stiffer than modern cars at low speed. You can add power steering.

Welcome to TM, Dee Dee.

Let's deal with the clutch first, because it's often remarked upon as it's a bottom hinged pedal rather than the normal car top hinged. I believe there is a stronger spring fitted at the factory in order to allow more pressure than normal to be rested on the pedal as there's no room to the left of the pedal to rest the foot. Once you get used to the action, it's just practice, I'm afraid. All the Trads are the same.

Regarding steering effort, we forget how cars used to be without some form of assistance..! There are modifications available to ease the action such as bearings under the springs, but the 4/4's slightly narrower tyres ease that models effort, as do (as John has said) tyre pressures.

The ultimate is the factory style of power steering, which is an electric motor attached to the steering column. This assists the turning, but if it fails, it's no different to a standard car rather than a Hydraulic system.

You'd be well advised to try several models until you have a clearer picture of what suits best.

Howzat..?

My steering and clutch isn’t heavy on my 2016, 4/4

The steering can be a little heavy when moving real slow only. My lighter steering is probably the benefit of skinny tyres on a 4/4

I bought a 2012 4/4 in 2017 after years of power steered automatics. The steering is heavy when parking and might have contributed to a bit of shoulder trouble. The clutch is quite firm, rather than heavy, and I have had no aches after long drives, and luckily I do enjoy the clunky gearbox and the extra changes needed with the smaller engine. However, I have a tendency to hover my foot above the clutch rather than use the pedal as a rest. That aches after a while. But, neither of these would restrict me from keeping the car. But then, that's a 4/4. A plus 4 without power steering might be a bit borderline. How do plus 4 owners get on with smaller diameter steering wheels?

Mulfab bearings upgrade sort out the steering from personal experience , and the clutch should be light not heavy , there are some variables with every plus 4 but clutches should be pretty light . Try driving another plus 4 as I did and found every one different.

Welcome DeeDee

The clutch on the Trads uses an additional spring on the pedal box to give a bit of extra pressure and protection for the release bearing for those who rest their foot on the clutch pedal.

However these springs frequently break (as it has on my car) and some owners (me included) do not replace them as it makes for a much lighter pedal action but you must discipline yourself not to use the pedal as a foot rest.

Regarding the steering. You're right it can be a bit heavy but only at slow speeds. At higher speeds it gives a very direct feel which I like (but takes some getting used to).

By the way tyre pressures do make a difference and some cars do have different steering rack ratios which can also make a big difference to the feel.

My rack is about 2.5:1 and some are up to about 3.5:1 if my memory serves me well.

Welcome!

The clutch is heavy because of the return spring. Unless you use the clutch pedal as a foot rest, the return spring can be removed (they normally break after a few years, anyway). The steering on a 4/4 is slightly lighter because of narrower wheels. I have a large 15 inch steering wheel on my Plus 4 and I don't think the steering is too heavy. Nowadays you may have electric power steering so neither steering nor clutch should put you off.

Greetings,
Harald

^^^Mulfab steering bearings to replace the factory bearings will make a huge difference and cost much less than a power steering conversion!

Thanks for all your responses.

Am going to test drive a 4/4 at the weekend. Fingers crossed that it will be a better fit for me.