Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) Rutherford rear shock conversion on 4/4 fourseater

I am currently trying to figure out how to install the Rutherford telescopic shock absorber conversion on my Morgan 4/4 fourseater (mine is from 1984).
The drawings in the instructions that I got from NewElms don't seem to fit the brackets that come with the kit. I also had a hard time aligning lower and upper shock mounts while finding a way to attach the bracket sides to the chassis. Here is what I started with on the first clamping attempt:


If you have installed the kit on your car and have some pictures/infos you can share - this would be extremely helpful.

Although I have already started the process and drilled two holes in the brackets - I can still do changes now. I have documented my attempt here Fixing C6622 Please have a look.

Regards
Tim

Hi, I would suggest you call Tim Ayers at New Elms, he is very approachable and would be very concerned to hear you are having trouble with their instructions.
He is by far the best person to advise you.
He fitted my system and was very helpful.

Thank you Redfate. I already spoke with Tim today and I can confirm that he very helpful. Maybe I was not able to articulate my problem well enough to him on the phone. As I already wrote - it would be great to see some pictures of installed kits to see how maybe Tim or others have done it.

I've had a quick scan and there don't seem to be that many photos floating out there.

GoMog has this but I'm sure this will be similar to the instructions you've got.

I looked into it, and thought it looked fairly straighforward - remove rear U Bolt brackets, fit new ones. Remove armstrongs and brackets. Drill and fit new ones in similar place. I can't really work out from your photos what the problem is?

I went for the uprated Amstrong valves as they were cheaper and Peter said they were just as good (unless you were racing).

Yes the GoMog instructions are almost the identical with the one that come with the kit from NewElms. I believe that the brackets have received a "design upgrade" at some point.
Tim Ayres that told me on the phone the shock mounts should in pretty much a straight line.

I was hoping to get some idea from others before I drill additional holes into the chassis and brackets.
Currently have it attached like this (with one bolt through the seat frame)

Ah, I can understand better with the two photos. It does look like something is out of shape. Either the Rutherfords plate, or the seat rail/chassis relationship

Be easiest to check the Plate. If the bottom chassis plate and the top seat rail plate are at 90 degrees in both planes then the problem may lie within your vehicle. However, from your first photo is does seem like the plate is in the wrong.

Thank you TBM. Your last comment got me on a good track.
Using a digitial bevel box I can see that the chassis sides have 87.25 (left) and 86.75(right) degree angles. The bottom of the chassis is leveled.

I also mesured the inside width of the chassis bottom - this is 925mm at every point - good sign.
The chassis sides are only off around the area of the arch for the rear axle. I will take the leaf springs out again to see if they cause this deformation.

If the angles are still of - the current options I can think of are:
a) bend the brackets to an angle that fts
b) create some sort of shim that will be placed between bracket and chassis
c) create a complete new bracket

Option b) is my current persuit.. Using my tablesaw I just cut a piece of scrap plywood with a 87degree angle. This will be a test shim now. If this works I just need to find someone that can create a similar block out of alloy or steel.

Good news that you've found the cause of the issue. Fingers crossed for a simple solution

I'm no expert on physics/load ratings, but I wonder if you'd get away with just a spacer plate/shim just for the top two bolts rather than a full plate. Be easy to work out the depth from your plywood spacer.

I also wonder how much 'flex' there is at the top of the chassis rail, I wonder if you fitted the bottom two bolts on the plate, and the top seat rail bolts you could pull in the top chassis rail with the top bolts on the plate?

some more pictures and a recap of today can be found here: FixingC6622

Please: if somebody has pictures on how the Rutherford rear shock conversion is installed in your car - please share them.
Thanks and Regards
Tim

Ok - I gave the spacer/shim idea a try by using washers. Now I am uncertain if the distance between the screws and the leaf spring is sufficient. It is 7mm but I don't know how much lateral movement the leaf springs might have.