Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Morgan Three Wheeler & Super 3 750 miles, made an inspection hole, surprises...

Sorry for the clickbaity title, I was only allowed so many characters...

After 750 miles of ownership I thought I would do something I’ve seen a couple of others do and drill an inspection hole into the bell housing of the compensator. As you know, most already have an inspection or breathing hole but it’s on the opposite end of where the rollers can be partially seen and part of the reason for this modification was to do something I’d seen Phil have some people experiment with, which is to squirt silicon grease or spray onto the rollers to extend their life.

Having only done 750 miles I wasn’t really concerned about wear at this point and running my fingers around the inside of the existing inspection hole showed not even a hint of rubbery powder.

Once I’d done the inspection hole on the other side, the story changed dramatically. While I cannot see the rollers themselves due to the retaining disk, there are gaps around it where I can see the outsides of the concave “pockets” the rollers live in. Each one was black from traces of rubber deposits in the middle of the concave sections (which surprised me a little bit as I would have expected the forces to be on the sides but I now have a better understanding of how the rubbers get squeezed during operation.)

The amount of rubber was more than I would have expected, more than a smear certainly, but seemed borderline within reason with a life of 5,000 miles (which is the figure I have in my head - a figure that’s far too short hence wishing to extend with the silicone!)


I then proceeded to squirt silicone spray into the pockets when, I guess moved by the spray, a 1/4” chunk of rubber came out! As big as could have fit between the cover and pocket gap so who knows if there are bigger chunks floating around in there!

Another surprising thing is I had the front of the car on ramps, so all the spray should have just poured right back out. I sprayed 1/3 to 1/2 of the can into the compensator and only a few drops leaked back out, potentially being absorbed by what would have to be a significant amount of rubber dust.

My car is one of the last off the line this year and it’s disappointing to see these longevity issues still present. Signs are at least one of my rollers has failed already and others are wearing fast (and will only wear faster).

I don’t know what other people’s experience has been but if I lose drive before a few thousand miles I plan on making a heck of a stink!


I’ll update with pictures but highly recommend this modification. Takes 15 minutes, 5 minutes to lube, and if it can add a few thousand miles to the rollers’ life well worth the time to lube them up every month or two. I will keep you posted on the rollers so you can reach your own conclusions.

P.S. don’t worry if you can’t lube all the way to the back or equally, just drown the area, get the car level again and idle for a few minutes and it will work it’s way across all pockets front to back.

so you basically just drilled a hole from the bottom?

Yup, 2 rhino ramps getting the wheels 6-7” off the ground was enough to get under there with a cordless drill. Punched and drilled with a 38mm hole cutter. You can see the resulting aluminium doughnut in the picture.

I studied some pictures to make sure I wouldn’t hit anything in the drilling process as there is a shaft and some flanges on the end of the compensator (the “lid” that then couples to the flywheel. You could go maybe 1/2” further back from where I did but no more than that.

Good idea

To get a better idea of the state of the Centa rollers you could get boroscope for your mobile phone. Ones with LED lights are available for under £10.

On the bright side, you can repurpose that 38mm hole cutter and spray to remove your exhaust baffles

Good reminder to drill this hole and inspect my own unit.
This design defect is so pervasive I'm surprised there hasn't beeb a recall or class-action remedy.

at 11K miles I anxiously await a fail

Actually I repurposed it FROM doing the exhaust baffles

I may have to do that. I own a 2006 Porsche that is susceptible to the dreaded bore scoring issue so always a good thing to have.