Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Maintenance & Servicing Crosshead Support Rod ?

1975 4/4 2 Seater.

I was carrying out a little suspension maintenance earlier, greasing the kingpins and adjusting the damper blades, I decided the adjustable Cross head support stays were making a slightly different noise when tapped with a spanner. As it was all going so well, I decided the slightly looser one needed adjusting.

Twenty minutes later after allowing for a release oil to soak in, predictably I have snapped the bolt head off!

I need to find a new Cross head support stay?

Having looked on various Morgan parts sites and couldn't find any available.

Has anyone else had this issue, is it a case of taking the part down to a local fabricator and have them thread a piece of suitable bar?

I have added a link to an image of the ;part, it is in yellow on the right hand side of the picture.

https://www.gomog.com/other.html

Thanks.

Morgan dealers should have them. I have purchased two in recent years from Williams. They are not cheap though for a bit of threaded bar. (£30-£40 maybe)
Follow the gomog instructions to get tension correct and when doing so make sure there are no bumper or overrider brackets clamped tight to the crossframe. If so, loosen the clamps first, do the tensioning and then reclamp.
Edit: Just looked up Uncle Melvins Mogparts and all that is listed is the “crosshead support rod inner end lug” which has a UNF thread for 1996 onwards, but cannot find the actual rod listed. So a phone call will be necessary.

Thanks Deejay,

I found that part on M Rutters site, that was the only related cross head part, but I discounted it as my car is a 1975 Model and I assume the original fitment from the factory.

Good advice on the clamps.

Ref the Gomog instructions, they seemed less clear to me as the diagram with the jacks and axle stand supports didn't seem to be anywhere on the site?

As I have one crosshead support strut in place, i was looking to buy one and tension it to be the same as the existing one?

There used to be an accompanying diagram on gomog but it disappeared a few years ago. Basically you jack up the front onto axle stands placed close in to the chassis rails. Then I place an old bottle jack under the cross frame as far out towards the wheel as possible and adjust it so that it is just kissing the crossframe tube. Then sit a jack under the king pin and apply a little jacking force to take the weight. If the rod is tensioned correctly, the crossframe tube should just lift from the inner and outer supports at the same time. Don't overdo it, you just need to be able to introduce a little clearance. Follow gomog instructions from there.

Terry at G.E.E may be able to help.
https://geeltd.co.uk/gee/
Phil

Recent thread on this issue here.

This happened on my +8 around 20 years ago, I just went to the hardware store bought a 3ft length of threaded bar 4 nuts and washers for around $10. Cut the bar to length put the nuts and washers on and tightened, still going strong with no adverse effects.

The world has changed a lot in the last 20 years!

The 3/8 BSF threaded bar in tensile steel is hard to find, needs to be pre ordered from Europe and is now close to the price of Gold per oz?

After having now called 3 Morgan garages several times, the only one who picked up, hope their parts guy will be in later in the week and I should call back.

Is the industry for older Morgans literally fading away? (Sad face Emoji, etc...)

Wouldn't use threaded bar - entirely the wrong thing to use.

You need a length of 3/8 605M36T and a 3/8 BSF die and stock

Alternatively Terry Foxen at GEE will be able to help as he supplies them with the new crossheads he has made for me

Kind regards

Arwyn

Thanks Arwyn,

I have called GEE a few times it just rings out, does anyone know if they are closed for a holiday, nothing suggests this on their website?
Thanks.