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Wales
by Joske Vermeule, September 1
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Forums39
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Jun 14th, 2026
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Joined: Aug 2020
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Talk Morgan Regular
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OP
Talk Morgan Regular
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I'll soon be taking the plunge into buying some steering bearings for my series 1 roadster. The question is, which ones.
Having read the go mog website, I decided to opt for wolf performance, as I was attracted by them not needing reduced main springs. There was also two options to choose from, roller and thrust. Having checked wolf performance website, I'm not sure they do the roller ones, maybe just the thrust ones (torsion). They have two options. One that cost £18 that comes with rebound gaiters, and one costing £90 that I assume comes with reduced height springs.
My reason for getting them is two fold, one to lighten the steering when manoeuvring slowly, and two to replace the need for the damper blades as these are worn and need replacing. With this in mind, which would any of you go for? They don't necessarily need to be from wolf performance, if I need to get reduced springs.
Is there any merit in buying both sets from wolf P?
2004 Series 1 Roadster
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,415
Has a lot to Say!
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Has a lot to Say!
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,415 |
I'll soon be taking the plunge into buying some steering bearings for my series 1 roadster. The question is, which ones.
Having read the go mog website, I decided to opt for wolf performance, as I was attracted by them not needing reduced main springs. There was also two options to choose from, roller and thrust. Having checked wolf performance website, I'm not sure they do the roller ones, maybe just the thrust ones (torsion). They have two options. One that cost £18 that comes with rebound gaiters, and one costing £90 that I assume comes with reduced height springs.
My reason for getting them is two fold, one to lighten the steering when manoeuvring slowly, and two to replace the need for the damper blades as these are worn and need replacing. With this in mind, which would any of you go for? They don't necessarily need to be from wolf performance, if I need to get reduced springs.
Is there any merit in buying both sets from wolf P? We do them as well Drop me a pm or call me and I'll talk you through it
Simon @ Sifab.co.uk
Sifabtemporary@gmail.com
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Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 502
Talk Morgan Regular
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OP
Talk Morgan Regular
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 502 |
I'll soon be taking the plunge into buying some steering bearings for my series 1 roadster. The question is, which ones.
Having read the go mog website, I decided to opt for wolf performance, as I was attracted by them not needing reduced main springs. There was also two options to choose from, roller and thrust. Having checked wolf performance website, I'm not sure they do the roller ones, maybe just the thrust ones (torsion). They have two options. One that cost £18 that comes with rebound gaiters, and one costing £90 that I assume comes with reduced height springs.
My reason for getting them is two fold, one to lighten the steering when manoeuvring slowly, and two to replace the need for the damper blades as these are worn and need replacing. With this in mind, which would any of you go for? They don't necessarily need to be from wolf performance, if I need to get reduced springs.
Is there any merit in buying both sets from wolf P? We do them as well Drop me a pm or call me and I'll talk you through it Thanks Simon
2004 Series 1 Roadster
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Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 8,698 Likes: 416
Needs to Get Out More!
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Needs to Get Out More!
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 8,698 Likes: 416 |
The upper torsion (radial roller) bearings taking up 17mm depth will need shorter main springs unless yours have sagged, although removal of damper blades will mitigate to a degree. The lower torsion bearings are only 3mm thick so if main springs have sagged the extra rebound side length may be an advantage. Having said above I would strongly recommend the SSL RS front spring kit which includes both springs, rate riser, upper bearings and Spax adjustable gas shocks to match. The kit allows allows accurate setting of rebound pre-load which should be zero static and with no play, as well as ride height options. Some suggest the rebound side torsion bearings offer no gain. I can only say I noticed much lighter steering after fitting mine and kept them when I fitted the SSL kit.
Richard
2018 Roadster 3.7
1966 Land Rover S2a 88
2024 Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450
1945 Guzzi Airone
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Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 502
Talk Morgan Regular
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OP
Talk Morgan Regular
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 502 |
The upper torsion (radial roller) bearings taking up 17mm depth will need shorter main springs unless yours have sagged, although removal of damper blades will mitigate to a degree. The lower torsion bearings are only 3mm thick so if main springs have sagged the extra rebound side length may be an advantage. Having said above I would strongly recommend the SSL RS front spring kit which includes both springs, rate riser, upper bearings and Spax adjustable gas shocks to match. The kit allows allows accurate setting of rebound pre-load which should be zero static and with no play, as well as ride height options. Some suggest the rebound side torsion bearings offer no gain. I can only say I noticed much lighter steering after fitting mine and kept them when I fitted the SSL kit. This maybe something I'll consider when the king pins need replacing which hopefully won't be for a while. I like the idea of being able to adjust things, but fear I would end up with an unbanced car which would wobble down the road if I fitted it myself haha!
2004 Series 1 Roadster
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 22,371 Likes: 354
Roadster Guru Member of the Inner Circle
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Roadster Guru Member of the Inner Circle
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 22,371 Likes: 354 |
Whatever you decide Leroy, maintain, or increase current ride height.
You may or may not still have steering damper blades. You may or may not still have Devol bushes.
I fitted Mulfab bearings, removed the damper blades, and kept the original front springs, which are Plus 8 spec at that period, or at least mine are!
DaveW
'05 Red Roadster S1
'16 Yellow (Not the only) Narrow AR GDI Plus 4
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Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 1,031 Likes: 2
Has a lot to Say!
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Has a lot to Say!
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 1,031 Likes: 2 |
I am also looking to lighten the steering on my Roadster S2 at parking speeds. Simon H advised that rather than replace the bearings they should be stripped, washed out and greased, assisted by new hard chrome king pins and phosphor bronze bushes.
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Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 502
Talk Morgan Regular
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Talk Morgan Regular
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 502 |
I am also looking to lighten the steering on my Roadster S2 at parking speeds. Simon H advised that rather than replace the bearings they should be stripped, washed out and greased, assisted by new hard chrome king pins and phosphor bronze bushes.
I'm not entirely sure what bushes or pins I have. My file doesn't have any receipts for replacement, but being around 45k miles, and an advisory or king pin play several years ago on an mot, which disappeared in subsequent mot's, I assume they have been replaced. I would expect it originally had devol bushes. Unlike your s2, I don't have any bearings at all.
2004 Series 1 Roadster
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Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 502
Talk Morgan Regular
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OP
Talk Morgan Regular
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 502 |
Whatever you decide Leroy, maintain, or increase current ride height.
You may or may not still have steering damper blades. You may or may not still have Devol bushes.
I fitted Mulfab bearings, removed the damper blades, and kept the original front springs, which are Plus 8 spec at that period, or at least mine are! As a luddite, would retaining the original springs as opposed to using reduced ones maintain/raise the ride height? My front springs are blue, if that's any indication of their spec.
2004 Series 1 Roadster
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 22,371 Likes: 354
Roadster Guru Member of the Inner Circle
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Roadster Guru Member of the Inner Circle
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 22,371 Likes: 354 |
As Richard mentioned, removing the damper plates offsets some of the thickness of the new bearings. Take advice from Simon and Cain at Wolf.
My springs are pale blue and have some white text, including Plus 8.
DaveW
'05 Red Roadster S1
'16 Yellow (Not the only) Narrow AR GDI Plus 4
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