Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Maintenance & Servicing Steering damper blade lube

Hello all

Do I need to lubricate the steering damper blades where they slide between the plates/shims bolted to the chassis? Am putting in new ones as part of my front end rebuild, still awaiting my stub axles from the powder coat place. prepping everything else to put back together.

If not, disregard next question, but if so, it would seem to me a decent spot for dry lube like graphite, moly or tungsten. Anybody dry lube there, or do most simply use the same grease they’re using for the kingpins?

-Nelson

‘66 plus 4.

I have always used grease or copper slip.

Nelson

I don't think it really matters what lubricant you use , as long as you do lubricate them.

They are not high wear points so I did them each year when I went around the front suspension checking everything.

If you fit a steering bearing kit you can do away with the damper blade totally.

Thanks! Am thinking because this setup bolts to the underside of the chassis and is exposed to the road, maybe best to use grease to inhibit rust.

I actually will be using steering bearings with my Rutherford set up from Tim at New Elms. I was planning on keeping the dampers, I see no downside and I am concerned about avoiding the infamous St. Malvern’s dance. My car performed well before the overhaul, I don’t want to mess with the mojo. How many folks did away with the dampers when using steering bearings, and did others keep the dampers like I was planning on doing?

I did do away with the damper blades BUT they are less effective on the +8 , due to the increased footprint of the tyre giving a lot more friction in the system.

I would definitely advise keeping them for your car. Earlier cars had relatively steep steering angles which, when coupled with narrow tyres, made the cars prone to St Malvern's Dance - which is why the damper blades were fitted. Later cars with shallower steering angles and fatter tyres are much less prone to the wobbles and can manage quite happily without them.

I removed them from my 1986 car for a while, but soon refitted them.

Copper slip for me.

Bud
4/4 - Stanley

If you are fitting steering bearings then remove the damper blades, they will have much reduced effect (possibly to the point of none), and add extra preload into the main spring/rebound spring, which should also be avoided

This is exactly the reason why I removed my damper blades - I was advised that they were no longer necessary once bearings were fitted. Not in my case, I'm afraid. It's much better with them on there than not. I think the increased castor angle, wider track, and wider tyres on more modern cars makes them significantly different from the narrow track / steep angle cars in this regard.

DaveW I believe went the bearing route and got the dance. So he fitted a steering damper.