Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Morgan Plus Four, Supersport & Plus Six (CX & CXV Generation Vehicles) very serious steering issue.

Out of interest did you have the service/MOT carried out by a Morgan dealer or a 'local' garage?

Why don't they use locking wire/plates ?

DB

If Morgan are saying it was assembled correctly then surely it's a safety recall issue??

Yes, that's what I would want.

Same here.
When I replaced the gaiters on my trad Plus8 there were locking tab washers used to secure a couple of bolts. Lock wires could be an alternative. Threadlock another.
QA procedures should have "tell-tales" such as marker pens, paint spots etc as visual indicaters. Mass production assembly lines use purpose built assembly tools with built in pass/fail check systems with regular calibration checks. I doubt MMC have much in a similar way but should have a strict procedure for safety critical assemblies, basically attempts to prevent human error as a factor. Poke Yoke is a Japanese term for " idiot proofing" an action/assembly. Hence designing in features that make it impossible to incorrectly fit items by having one orientation location fit lugs/tabs/pins etc. A bit like the spinners for centre hubs. Left OR right hand with appropriate markings.
As DaveW says, what is the reason for failure if correct assembly was done? Was it correct or a tick the box " check" not actually done? If so then there is a gap in QA.

Alternatively it's an easy cop-out to blame someone else.

Allegedly the problem has never been seen before and I doubt it's something that would be included as a service item.

I've no idea what the standards are in the factory these days but in the fairly recent past it was certain dealers that were rectifying faults on new cars coming from the factory.

I hope MMC have a robust method for establishing the root cause of issues, such as the well-known "five why's" technique:

What happened ... the steering failed
Why? The steering rack came loose
Why? ....

There are many ways in which to interpret the remark, none of it puts Morgan and it's support network in a positive light. I must admit during my recent factory tour, I wasn't exactly too impressed by the very casual approach in the workshops, saw more talking than actual work going on. Obviously one shouldn't jump to conclusions on one walk around the factory floor, but it wasn't or didn't feel a hive of activity. I saw more activity going on during factory tours at TVR, and they were notorious for taking the piss with inappropriate drawings and foul words left on the back of interior trim etc..

It's not unusual for dealers to do rectification work, that's why they have PDI inspections before delivery. The unknown at the moment appears to be,is this an isolated one off instance, or indicative of a wider problem. but as its being referred to the Design area, .that does beg a wider question. Had It been a failure of say just tightning nuts up I would expect it ti be referred to Quality and Production engineering, but in Morgan's case that may all be one and the same.

I know Range Rover have a non urgent recall on steering racks and bolts have sheared trying to replace / repair them.

Do we know it was the bolts vibrating lose? Is there any advice on how to check for this fault given the ali plate that covers the rack?

Having had time to think things through i must admit i do feel a bit fobbed off and on your advice will e mail the MD. Picked the car up Saturday so no chance to speak with anyone, drives real nice a slight wobble at 75 so in fairness Morgan wouldn't have noticed that so news tyres and a balance on Monday they have scrubbed quite badly. So much common sense spoken on here the last few days it is a very serious issue after all. I find it hard to believe given its position the rack would have been checked for tightness during a service. Will keep you informed of the outcome.