Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Maintenance & Servicing Corrosion Running Board Strips and Fixings

Good advice Richard. I wish I'd heard it when I first got the car! The paint shop assures me that IF done properly it's unlikely that there will be any issues in future.
I did consider removing the tread rubbers but he convinced me to keep the car original, however if I were to order a new Morgan Id seriously consider not fitting tread rubbers.

I'm not sure what purpose tread rubbers serve ? According to Wikipedia (so bound to be right, right ??):

Quote

In the early 20th century, all automobiles were equipped with running boards. The necessity of using them was caused by the fact that first cars were designed with a narrow, high body bolted to the chassis. Most roads were unpaved and tall narrow wheels and tires were needed to get through the ruts, mud, and snow. A running board served as a step to a vehicle's cabin, and sometimes could be wide enough to serve as a place to sit or even lie down for an adult.

I am somewhat terrified of even sitting on my running boards in case I bend the aluminium, let alone standing on the running boards / tread rubbers in best 1920's gangster style.

For me it's to protect the running board paintwork from shoe scuffs, when getting out mainly. This they do. I also have to admit that Mogs look a tad naked without them.

I noticed that protecting the running board is very important.
I was going for protective film.
How important the protection is show the marks on the protective film after getting in and out with the hood up.

During a factory visit earlier this year, I was surprised to see how many cars (new / in-build, and for sale from their stock), did not have tread rubbers. And of the 40 or so Plus Four and Plus Six's currently for sale on PH, none of the recent cars have tread rubbers. Are they no longer a factory option ?

I opted not to have them fitted on my 2016 Plus 4 GDi as I think it gives a much cleaner line and you don't get the fixing bolts corrosion issue. I do have protective film for those scuff moments.

I did mine after reading DaveW’s article in the ‘Miscellany’ magazine a couple of years ago.

A very timely intervention on my 1997 +4, as the corrosion was definitely setting in 🥴🤷🏼‍♂️!

When I got my current car it had ugly lumps in the tread rubbers over the fixings. It was one of the first jobs that I did was to whip the rubbers out but the fixings were not rusty, in fact they were still bright and shiny. The problem was the fixing heads were too big and distorting the rubber. The rubbers are now permanently distorted so this thread has got me motivated. I’ve ordered up 4m of new rubber today so will attempt a fix using aluminium pop rivets.

Cheeky thread hijack but, as my rebuild didn't come with tread protectors (just the holes they fit to), I have the choice of either a tread strip each side or a row of nice neat stainless button-heads with nylon washers to blank the holes .... I could buy a couple of new strips, but I do love to re-use existing used parts where possible ... so, before I decide..... if anyone has a couple of surplus strips cluttering their workshop they would part with I'd be happy to hear of them (you know it makes sense to unload them before someone loses an eye to the pointy end!! 🙂)

K

That was my photos (& credit card tip) of my previous Roadster used in Dave's excellent article