Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) 4/4 Suspension Install - is this normal?

Sorry Colin our posts crossed so didn't see your comments on the "mystery" chunky bearings before my last. Explains a lot though. Over to you Steve although I think your fitter/supplier owes you an explanation as a minimum.

The chunky steering bearings came from Peter Mulberry, he used to sell them along with shorter main springs. I have a set kicking around somewhere, I used them before I switched to SSL.

Yep! I'd agree they look like Mulfab bearings. As far as I remember Rutherford used to fit PTFE shims prior to bearings being available.

I appreciate that. It seems bearings are too tall then. The srping on the right was gouged when being installed so will ask them to address both. Tim from New Elms repled to me to say remove the blocks at rear, rather than confirming my concerns about bearing recommended to dealer and the spring length. I don't want to spend thousands more chasing an issue I didnt have before... Rebound springs don't turn by hand, very firm when laded and almost fully compressed when not...

I also do wonder if the steering feel change I had immediately after is related to the extra compression at rebound. It went hard, light, until I greased, it was never a concern before.

The static compression of rebound springs will continue the hard then light under further compression effect I explained above so really needs adressing. I'm sure main springs of a shorter length (noting new ones have more coils than old) compatible with the deep steering bearings would solve the issue and reduce if not remove static load on rebound springs. I will repeat though new kingpin bushes take a while to bed in which will mask such effects. As an experiment I temporarily left the dampers off mine immediately after fitting new ones. Kingpins were stiff enough to provide an acceptable ride.

Do you mean the bushes will provide that steering effect until bedded? The dealer has suggested replacing the Mulfab bearing with a stock morgan one which is shorter, and he trusts the right parts otherwise were fitted? I would prefer to leave rear alone as it is fone. I think this would bring front down a little, as the Mulfab is 10mm higher than the morgan bearing

On my 1999 lowline wide boded 4/4 I fitted Mulfab steering bearings some time ago. They came with a set of main springs that are 1 inch shorter. If I remember correctly ether the fitting instructions or the phone conversation I had with the man at Mulfab at the time said that the original springs could be re-used but this would raise the ride height by 1 inch.

Regards

Tony

No Steve I didn't suggest that but more their sliding fit onto kingpins appear to impinge on fully free suspension movement providing an extra damping effect until loosened with use. I trust you are aware that greasing needs to be performed every 1000 miles or so as well, possibly more often whilst settling in.

Fitting the thinner bearings will certainly improve the situation you presently have with new main springs.

BTW an image courtesy of DaveW showing Mulfab v factory steering bearings.