Talk Morgan Forums Community The Malvern Arms 4/4 steering advice please.

Today we took our new to us(2008)4/4 for a long winding drive.

Never having driven a Morgan before the test drive I was unaware as to how they drove. The steering however seems to have a lot of "play" in it. If, for instance, I drive in a straight line and move the steering wheel quickly from left to right the direction of the car(and the wheels)hardly changes.

It seems a bit wayward, if that's not a contradiction and not very responsive.

Is this normal and how it should be,is it because I am used to PAS?

Any comments greatly appreciated.

It's difficult to tell if there's a problem from your description, how much free play is there at the steering wheel rim (ie how far can you turn the steering wheel in either direction before the tyres start to move)?

A 2008 4/4 will have rack & pinion steering, which should be pretty direct. If it really is a bit sloppy at the front end, rather than just being different from what you are used to, then I would check the front suspension, the kingpins and the tyre pressures.

Best thing to do would be to take it to a Morgan specialist for a quick look over, they will be able to set your mind at rest.

Thanks for that Hamwich.

The wheel seems to turn a few inches before responding. It seems also that as I turn a corner the wheels seem to respond a split second after I turn turn the steering wheel. As if it thinks about it for a second before deciding to turn in the direction of the corner.

I think you are right, I need to take it in. As the local dealer is a good way from here I was thinking of taking into a very reputable local garage first as I was told that they were pretty easy things to work on.

Probably the best thing is to turn the steering wheel at a standstill, watching the front wheels for movement, preferably with two of you doing it so you can feel movement in the front wheels. You don't say what mileage your 4/4 is....mine is 7,500 and the steering is pretty direct.

If you aren't use to Morgans, certainly the steering feel can be somewhat different than a modern car with pas and modern front suspension, plus the fact that your are sitting pretty far back from the front wheels can give you a different sensation as well.

Turning to your final comment....I'd be tempted to take it to a Morgan specialist, Lifes is probably your nearest; they are generally pretty easy to work on as far as the engine, gearbox, rear suspension and brakes are concerned but most garages will never have seen a sliding pillar suspension before!

Thanks Jay, it has 5,800 miles.

I'll try the standstill idea.

As for the local garage, as I have no idea about cars I just assumed that a good mechanic could turn his hand.
Thanks for the tip.

The steering on my 4/4 is as tight as a dogs bollocks you just have to breath on it to turn . My favourite trick for the hated tail gater is to quick as hell flick it to the left and back again the tail end twitches , then do it the other way . The tail gaters drop away from me . My 4/4 is very forgiving . This one does not sound correct.

You should also check the damper blades.
These articles may help

http://www.gomog.com/allmorgan6.html#Damper

http://www.gomog.com/allmorgan/steeringr&p.html#2007

https://sites.google.com/site/morganatica/suspension/wheel-wobble

Also have a look at http://www.gomog.com/allmorgan/steeringr&p.html#WATCHPOINT

I had a problem with my 2008 +4, which turned out to be the two bolts holding the centre plate to the rack had worked loose.

Got a feeling from what you saying there is something really wrong. Check it out thoroughly at home for loose or broken steering parts.

While normal advice would be to get a Morgan dealer to look, it's not really a hard car to understand and if your local chap is a real mechanic, he should have no problems. I'd be a bit wary of driving this car any distance at the moment, so get him to check if you can't.

Are damper blades still fitted to the later cars? I know my 2010 4/4 doesn't have them. It does sound as though there is something worked loose in the steering department though and perhaps Alan is correct. Easy enough to get to to check.