Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) Improving the ride

Thanks, that’s sound enough. Gomog obviously needs to be updated in light of bitter experience.
So, the final question has to be, what make of shock does NOT suffer these issues? IF ANY?

That's the problem with GOMOG, Lorne Goldman won't let anyone else update it, everything has to go through him, so errors can take a long time to be corrected.

AVOs are fine, IF you make sure you get the correct stroke length. As with any shock absorber, the stroke needs to be able to fully encompass the suspension stroke - ie the shock absorber needs to be able to go shorter than the suspension on full bump, and extend longer than the suspension on full extent.

Fortunately this is pretty easy to measure on a Morgan and as the total range of movement is not that large, it's not likely that your suspension will be out of bounds. There are slight design differences between the cars, which is why AVO supply 3 different lengths, but if you have a modernish car you shouldn't have a problem selecting the correct size for your car.

My car was a special case. It's a 1986 model, which originally had Armstrong lever-arm shocks. I had fitted a rear hoop conversion from Melvyn Rutter in around 2002, and so the ensuing mounting point/suspension relationship was a bit different to the factory offering - hence the need to get a custom length set.

But as I said, the process was very quick and straightforward, Tim Ayres was very helpful, and I'm very pleased with the result.

When using the lower setting I found the shock stroke of those supplied with the Suplex Kit too long. I modified the upper shock perches (fabricated a dog leg) to accomodate. Since I removed the Suplex Kit from My +8 Bitsa and installed it on My '61 DHC at the regular ride height. From My test on all 3 of My Morgans I felt the Suplex Kit was most effective on the DHC with its Ford Zetec Engine, a much lighter engine than the TR/Moss Box. I am still mystified about the value of the Suplex Kit, but as I own one feel the DHC installation is about as good as I will get with this unit.

Does anyone have information on the actual lengths (fully compressed/extended) on the different AVOs available for the rear?

After an accident the Mogsport AVOs on my 2013 4/4 were replaced by Rutherford spec AVOs from New Elms. Checking them myself I found that the shocks tricky to refit as when the suspension is fully extended (axle on bump stops on frame) the shocks were slightly short. This suggests that when driving the shock is limiting the maximum extension of the rear suspension not the bump stops.

My measurements are 210mm compressed, 280mm extended for the shock. The factory shocks (on the shelf for backup!) are 210/297mm.

The rear springs are four leaf ones with lowering blocks and the rebound bump stops are thick (the parts book shows two sizes). I believe this how the car left the factory

I'm afraid I didn't keep the measurements for my shocks, but Tim Ayers at New Elms was able to order a set of custom length AVOs for me. I had gone to Kevin Vernon's to get a set, but we found that none of the 3 standard lengths covered the right range for my needs. I called Tim Ayers on 9th June 2014 and the shocks arrived at my house on the 19th, so excellent service. Highly recommended.

Reading all the inputs here has made me realize that there are AVOs and AVOs and it is important to fit the correct ones for the car. When I bought my current Plus 8 on 18000 miles, or thereby, Techniques checked and confirmed that they were totally shot, worn out! Konis were fitted on the softest setting. Fine.

GoMog states there a re 2 lengths of AVOs that fit different Mogs. This might help
Shocks