[url=http://][/url] Sorry this image is on its side and I have no idea how to turn it through 90 degrees, However this is the drivers side front and the lower spring on the vertical pillar has a 5mm gap above it. Is this normal? The passenger side bottom spring is touching the carrier as I would expect. I only ask as we have a steering wobble at 55mph. Currently she up on our 4 post ramp in the garage so just having a look to see if there`s anything obvious before ringing the dealer as she`s still under warranty.
Here is a video showing the bottom spring in operation IT DOES MOT CARRY THE WEIGHT of the car merely is there to be a reaction to pot holes etc see video
Ideally, the rebound spring should be unloaded at rest, the top just kissing the axle. So the spring is 5 mm too short, but I am not sure this really matters. However, it should of course be symmetrical, that is the spring on the other side should be the same. One test is to try to twist the spring with your hand. If you cannot do this, the spring is compressed and thus asymmetrical. If you can twist it easily, it is unloaded and the difference might be within the limits of the acceptable. As it is under guarantee, I would have taken it to the dealer for a checkup. I do not think this is the reason for your wheel wobble. It might be "St. Malvern's dance", a movement inherent of the wheel /suspension geometry of a Mog. They all do that, Sir... At least many, incuding mine. Got better after I balanced the wheels and lubricated the damper blades (which newer cars do not have). So now I can easily live with it, but am planning to install a steering damper.
Robbie the Norseman 2004 V6 Roadster Sherwood green
If you put a jack under the bottom cross member on that side does the gap close? I'm perfectly willing to be shot down on this but I'd have thought that with the main spring being under tension it should always press the stub axle down onto the rebound spring.
It appears that either the rebound or the compression spring above is too short on the offending side. It could also be the latter is too weak. This assumes everything was factory assembled correctly and steering bearings are present and intact.
If the chassis is jacked up the gap will dissapear as load is taken from the compression spring and it extends, not that it will tell you much.
A complete strip down of both sides will allow comparison of all four springs and an answer to the problem.
As I understand it a static gap on the drivers (r/h) side between stub axle and rebound spring will reduce initial roll resistance as the wheel unloads during right hand cornering and free play is taken up. Clearly though there should be no assymetry.
Last edited by Richard Wood; 17/12/1809:19 AM.
Richard
2018 Roadster 3.7 1966 Land Rover S2a 88 2024 Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 1945 Guzzi Airone
The perfect setup is for the bottom rebound spring to be just kissing the bottom of the stub axle at rest such that you can just turn the spring by hand. It's tricky to do because of all the slippery grease but if you us a small rag to hold the spring, it can help. It's not always obvious as you can get some binding at the bottom of the spring in the cross head so persevere with trying to move the spring if it does not seem to move easily.
If it still does not move, get someone to sit in the passenger seat and bounce a few times. If the rebound spring length is just a fraction too long the loading of the main spring will just give you a bit of extra clearance and the rebound spring should then be clear to rotate.
The Morgan front suspension has a lot of stiction in the system and I quite often find that when I get out of the car and check underneath, the driver side rebound spring has a few mm of clearance when I've been driving on my own as that is the side that's had more main spring compression and the stiction in the system has not allowed the main spring to settle at the normal ride height.
All I do then is bounce the front end a few times to even up the springs and usually find that the rebound springs are evenly balanced and just kissing the stub axles.
It is not unusual to get that slight mismatch in ride heights with the car in a static situation so bounce it a few times and re-check.
Of course none of what I've said should rule out a thorough check of the front end to make sure there is nothing else going on but a slight mismatch side to side in static condition is nothing to worry about.
BTW, the old set up was for the rebound spring to be in compression. If it is you will never be able to rotate the spring and in that case you could have a problem because to have one spring in compression and one with 5mm free play suggests something is not quite right.
Could just be excessive stiction that needs a good lube or a sagging main spring on that side. If the car is still under warranty and you are new to Morgan suspensions, It's probably not a bad I idea to discuss it with the dealer anyway.
Check the top bolt holding the kingpin into the crosshead has not loosened and allowed the crosshead to spread open slightly. I have seen this in the past.
My other half has said he'll take a further look at the issue at the weekend. It'll give him an excuse to retreat into the garage, fire up the log-burner and wield the tools if necessary whilst I mash the tea and provide the biscuits. Team work
Once you have this issue resolved, it is well worth fitting a gaiter to the rebound spring to keep road dirt and grit off your King Pin. It will extend the life of the bushes and King Pins substantially. There is a thread on TM on this. You can make the gaiters out of an off cut of Mohair hood material (as per DaveW), by cutting up an old inner tube or by using a short length of car heater trunking.
There is a page on Morganatica about gaiters - the page includes top and bottom gaiters. The bottom ones are the most important - you will find a design sketch etc there.
Paul Costock, UK 2014 4/4 Rolls Royce Garnet Red Disco 5 Teddy - 17h1 Irish Draught cross
Once you have this issue resolved, it is well worth fitting a gaiter to the rebound spring to keep road dirt and grit off your King Pin. It will extend the life of the bushes and King Pins substantially. There is a thread on TM on this. You can make the gaiters out of an off cut of Mohair hood material (as per DaveW), by cutting up an old inner tube or by using a short length of car heater trunking.
There is a page on Morganatica about gaiters - the page includes top and bottom gaiters. The bottom ones are the most important - you will find a design sketch etc there.
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