Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) Steering Damper. 2004 Roadster

Just out of curiosity I put a damper on a few weeks back with the goal of reducing the feedback through the wheel. Thought if I didn’t like it I could always stick it in the for sale section

I had no shimmy or wobble. The front end was well behaved with its SSL mod and almost ‘normal car’ like. But the roads are so bad these days driving has become more like off-roading. If the roads were perfect I don’t think I would have bothered. Pleased to say driving is a little more relaxed now with some of that unwanted energy gone. I don’t have to grip the wheel so tight in anticipation of the next surprise. Can’t say I noticed much difference at slow speed iether and there is still enough feel for me.

As always, SimonH is the man……


And it was reassuring to see the damper came with a strengthened plate, given the potential problems discussed towards the bottom of this page.

Please explain if you disagree but I don't see how a steering damper can improve the self centering action of the steering. I can understand how it would stiffen up the steering and in so doing reduce shimmy if present however.

The minimal self centering action on Mog's seems to me to be the major contributory factor in reducing feedback and feel.

Tracking is clearly important and easy enough to do at home with a simple frame.

I didn't realise at the time, but cars with steering damper blades have more castor than the later cars with MMC steering bearings.

So fitting Mulfab bearings to my Roadster and removing the damper blades was transformational.

Whereas fitting Mulfab bearings to my 2016 to replace the MMC original bearings had much less of an effect.

Dave, I would agree my 2014 Roadster on factory bearing is transformed vs my S1

I took the Roadster for a good test at all legal speeds today after the removal of the Steering Damper,; all was fine, with nothing unusual feeding back. So next job is to fit my 14” steering Wheel.
I would add that the car had a Suplex front suspension upgrade with Mogsport kingpins in 2013, and the then owner fitted a Mulfab steering damper in 2014, however I think I’ve read on Talk Morgan that he removed this later, so perhaps when the car was sold to another owner it was refitted “ because it came with the car” for no apparent reason.. It would be interesting to know why.
Thanks to all for your comments and advice.

Well, back in the room so here goes...

Colin, your mog does not have Devol bushes as proper KP’s and spiral groove bushes were fitted when the Suplex (SSL) front kit was done

All the front geometry was then corrected by Chas at MogSport, (hot tweaking the crosshead & neg camber plates) the damper was later fitted under his recommendation as it did feel a little light at high speed on smooth roads but had a bit of annoying backlash at normal speeds hitting potholes

IIRC we set to ¾ neg caster, and ½ deg toe in, he recommended tyres at 22 all round

I understand the previous owner did very little mileage & perhaps it has not been serviced or greased since being mollycoddled by me, hopefully you'll get some proper miles on this year & all will settle down

Rog, may I ask where to purchase the strengthened steering plate?

Thanks

Peter

From me

Jon, did you mean 3/4 negative camber rather than castor ?

I suspect that is the case Bob. Camber on latest Roadster factory recommended at 0.5° negative. Toe in 0 - 3.2mm (1/8") total, this equates to 0.5° total between wheels.

I believe caster should be around 4° trailing and did try to measure on mine using one of those magnetic disc attachment camber gauges, but gave up when I realised a lot more maths is involved. Stub axle angular offset, king pin angle, scrub radius and camber all affect caster.

ETA: whatever mine is I would like to see how an increase in caster angle improves the weak self centering action, not helped by low gearing on my car. With power assistance steering is over light anyway.