Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) Spirited Driving

Having just returned from a week long road trip on some of Scotland's most scenic and fun driving roads I feel like my biceps have had a work out!
I have a 2006, Plus 4 (2.0 Duratec) so sufficient horsepower in standard guise for some fun, spirited driving. However on the twisty roads I feel the car is slow to turn in and heavy , even at speed, on anything close to a tight bend. I guess I'd describe it as not feeling agile, which is surprising for such a light car.
I notice similar on roundabouts or low speed corners when I feel like I am applying quite a bit of force to hold the car in a turn.
Never having owned a Morgan previously I'm not sure if this is normal, due to lack of power steering and older suspension design.
I checked my tyre pressures today and they were pretty close to 22 psi all round. I've just put the fronts up to 25 psi and will give that a try to see if it eases the effort needed when cornering.
The tyres are fairly recent so I wouldn't expect them to be causing the issue. (Falken Sincera SN110). Road holding is good with no tendency to under or over steer.
Could some adjustment to the tracking improve the set up? (There is no obvious tyre wear suggesting the tracking is not correct).

Your thoughts and any advice on how to make the car feel a bit more agile and quicker around the bends would be greatly appreciated.

I assume the king pins are well greased? How old are the tyres? 6 to 8 years is plenty.
You say it’s your first Morgan but not sure of your experience overall with rear wheel drive, but generally it’s slow in and fast out.

Doug - Thanks for your reply.
The Tyres are less than 12 months old and have about 4000 miles on them. Experience with rear wheel drive cars - not massive but I spent a few seasons doing hillclimbs and sprints with a Mk2.5 MX5 - track days too. I also had a Mk1 MX5 for the last 19 years which although less BHP than the Morgan weighs about the same. It had power steering but was very agile and quick through corners. I don't expect the Morgan to perform like that but a bit of a sportier feel would be good!

More toe out will improve your steering turn in, as will some positive caster, you could then fit a faster rack and your steering will be pin sharp. However, more toe in, positive camber, and a faster rack will all make your steering heavier.

Do all three and I suspect you'll definitely need power steering, the electric power steering kits from EZ Power Steering are very good, speed sensitive too which is exactly what you need

The bottom line is, anything you do to improve turn in will also make your steering heavier, and the only two effective tools you have to fight back are higher tyre pressures and power steering, tyre pressures being free and power steering being expensive

So no probs with experience and tyres are good (i should have read that properly in your OP)
Think it could be worth a tracking check, though around here now, they all want to do a full computerised geometry check costing over £70. But you may find a smaller garage who will just do the basics. (unless you DIY of course)
Do you know of any other Morgan owners who could give a second opinion or, try a test drive on another one at a Morgan dealer to see if they’re all like that. (on the pretence perhaps of “thinking of a change”…)
Final thought…it hasn’t got an after-market smaller steering wheel by any chance?

Sounds like the very opposite of my car and despite having electric PAS, doubt that makes much difference at speed. Also a heavier car with small 13" wheel so likely you have a steering geometry issue.

Don't think higher tyre pressures is the way to go BTW. The recommended 22 psi takes account of the cars lightness and the fact they are an important part of suspension (read comfort).

As a start I would find a shop that offers laser tracking and have them adjust for minimal toe in. The book suggests 0 to 3.2mm (⅛") total - wonder if you have too much?

A 2006 could have been built a while before and may have steering damper blades. Check underneath for a diagonal spring steel plate between stub axle and chassis, behind the suspension.
If you have damper blades, bin them and fit Mulfab steering bearings. If no damper blades you will have MMC steering bearings with less castor angle
But at that age the bearings could be drying out. So consider either replacing the MMC bearings or fit Mulfab bearings.

Until you sort this out, power steering will only mask the issue, and for a Plus4, isn't really necessary unless you do a lot of low speed wheel twirling.

You mentioned having to put on force. Does it feel like the steering is fighting to go the other way? If so, mine was doing that after having my kingpins replaced and it was down to them not being adjusted properly, a few things being tightened a tad too much etc. Perhaps take another Morgan that is close to your car's age to compare. It could simply be that it is what it is.

The technology in these cars is quite ancient at best so it's going to feel a lot different then your previous cars.

Good luck and welcome to the world of Morgan!

Be sure to grease the pins EVERY 500 MILES from top down, to bottom up; where the weight is carried on a thrust bearing. I recommend a toe in of 1.5 mm.
The "feel" of your Morgan is NEVER going to compare with an MX5 especially after 19 years of driving the latter.
Give your hand and eye a chance to familiarize to the more seductive machine which is the Morgan. After a couple of years you won't be disappointed.

2006 could have those delrin bushings couldn't it? I had them on a 2005 roadster and as soon as they were warm they stiffened up the steering something rotten. Changed everything back to copper etc..which was a job as the sizings were different...and all well after that.