Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) SSL question

For comparison, here's the front offside SSL suspension on my Roadster. (And yes, I have cleaned the wheels and suspension since taking that photo about 4 years ago).

Here are a couple more pictures. I’m not a mechanic but it looks like the spring is not tight. I see about a quarter of an inch separation from the main body. When you say preload, is this what we are talking about? It’s hard to see but it looks like a similar situation at the top.
Richard

Ricosan, there are numerous things wrong with that installation as Richard says

Note also the lack of nylock nuts on the lower crosshead, a safety critical item

That grease nipple hints that it may not have had interaction with a grease gun recently, unless it was perhaps pressure washed for the photographic session..

Those images higher up show what looks like a black MMC steering bearing but also the steering damper blade still fitted which isn't needed when steering bearings are fitted. The oilite bush is also under the bearing and so will do very little, assuming that's a steering bearing and not an SSL spacer?

Yes I would agree. The second image you posted with above confirms there is no static preload on the main spring and likely no 20mm spacer fitted. The preload is achieved by the threaded collars you can see at top of spring, two so they can lock together and hold position. Note also Dave W's comment regarding the damper blade still being present although unnecessary after fitting the steering bearing supplied in SSL kit.

If you compare with the picture posted by Peter you will see the thread above the deployed collars and also the presence of 20mm spacer between stub axle and rebound spring (low ride height option). Another picture here of my Roadster suspension stripped down during kingpin replacement. The locking collars are clearly visible. Note rebound spring and spacer are hidden by protective cover.



If you're still unsure read the fitting instructions, which your fitter clearly hasn't, and all will become clear.

also check that you can turn the (lower) rebound spring by hand at ride height.

DB

Thanks guys,
I am taking my car back to the shop this afternoon. I’ve had only a few dealings with them but the owner seems to be a good guy. I’m hoping he will take these constructive criticisms with a positive attitude. I will post soon.
Richard

Remind him about using new locknuts / nylock - bloody shocking workmanship !

I’m not being funny I hope but I have to say yours is the driest looking suspension I’ve ever seen on a Morgan and the nipple shows no sign of having been greased. Perhaps your suspension thumps are due to no grease in the hub bushes.
The cross head has to overcome rotational forces when asked to function in forward motion and if a large force input occurs needing the hub to slide on the pillar that rotational force can cause jamming to the hub movement.

Question, when they upgraded the suspension did they change plllars and bushes?

Did they grease them? They take way more grease than you would expect after a clean and rebuild.

Check for bush wear. Can’t see on your pictures whether or not you have BRB,s fitted, might be a good idea to fit them if not as this will alleviate a lot of the rotational forces at the cross head on breaking or when the suspension is asked to respond instantly and with a large compressive force. Lastly, on a newly rebuilt suspension I really would expect to see a lot of grease blobs splattered around as the excess is ejected under normal use, again I can’t see that indicating no grease to expel so I’d start with assessing bush wear and grease level first.