Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Maintenance & Servicing Jacking up - basic questions

Hi I am new to the forum having just purchased a 1997 4/4. This is my first Morgan and a step up from restoration of classic motorcycles.

I am waiting for a manual to arrive but in the meantime I have a few very basic questions.

having looked round the forum it appears that a key area for keeping an eye on is the front suspension/steering.


Q1 - is it OK to jack up the front of the car using a trolley jack on the circular cross member and then support on axle stands. Is this cross member strong enough.

Q2 - it appears that there are numerous opinions on the one shot oiling system. Whats the best way to manually oil the steering using an oil can??

Q3 - is the best grease to use on the steering mechanism a Moly based grease.

Q4. - The metal joint connectors that hold the two curved bars together linking to the front bumper have cracked. Where can I get replacements from ? will I have to go to a dealer for supplies such as this.

Q5 - As the car is new to me I am going to have it dealer serviced - any ideas on how much this should cost??.

Q6 - are the small triangular side screens a good improvement.


Thanks in advance for any feedback

Regards

Chris
Lancaster, UK

Welcome to the forum, Chris! Here are my views on your questions:

Q1 - Yes, plenty strong enough. I tend to place my axle stands just either side of the central pressed steel section. The whole assembly is called the crosshead, by the way.

Q2. Most people don't bother with the oiling system. It's the lower bush in the suspension that wears, and oil from the top won't get anywhere near it. Regular (every 1,000 miles at least) greasing of stub axle is the key to long suspension life.

Q3 Yes, that's what most folk use. But as Graham has pointed out on another thread, any grease is better than no grease.

Q4. These are well known for cracking. Melvyn Rutter is good for this kind of thing - or you can go to your dealer. You can buy spares direct from the factory, but you have to go there in person, they don't do mail order any more.

Q5. If you are capable of restoring classic motorcycles you are more than capable of servicing a Morgan yourself. Sorry, I haven't a clue how much a dealer would charge for a service, I've always done it myself.

Q6. They are called "Wind Wings". I think the general consensus is that they look pretty but they don't do much at all to improve the aerodynamics. There are two types. The most commonly encountered type are simple plastic affairs, they are relatively cheap but are a right pain if you also have the door tops on. Steve Simmonds makes a set in glass, which fit inside the door tops and therefore don't get in the way when opening the doors. The downside, however, is that they are eye-wateringly expensive, around 300 quid now. I have a set on my car, but I got them secondhand which took out the sting a bit.

Tim

All I can add to that is:
Welcome to the forum Chris

Welcome to TM Chris, I can't add much to Tim's comprehensive reply. I also have the expensive Simmons wind wings, had the plastic ones and they were a real pain.
My dealer service last year was £489 and included the MOT. I'mtechnically capable of greasing the suspension but prefer to have the car professionally service for my own peace of mind.
Enjoy your MOG and let us hear how you get on.

Welcome Chris. Yes a dealer service is around £400-500.
But try first Go Mog it has all you need to do it yourself.
http://www.gomog.com/allmorgan/allmorgan.html

Welcome to the forum Chris. You've chosen the right place to answer your questions. I'm not sure a manual will give you everything you need - as John said have a look at GoMog which is put together BY Morgan owners FOR Morgan owners. If you can't find what you need there then a post on the forum will usually provide an answer.

Welcome to the forum Chris...from an ex-Lancastrian. I'll keep an eye out for you when I'm up at the families.......not that far, Arnside, Burton and Grange.....I'm the only one escaped down south!

I had my Roadster for a first servicfe in Sweden at my local garage - English Car Care - run by an englishman - Steve. I gave him the list from GoMog http://www.gomog.com/allmorgan/allmorgan.html and told him to follow that . The cost was around 500 pounds , which I think is a little bit expensive. I used to do my own service of my +4 1959 and maybe I will do it again in the future with this car. Even if I am p---d off going under the car and having oil and grease all over me .

....and a welcome from me Chris. I was born and bred in Lancaster and have relatives there still. I haven't treated our Morgan to a trip up there yet but plan to do so in the coming months so will definitely look out for yours !

Regards and congrats on the car,

John

ps I don't have anything to add to the answers you have received but you will always find help for your questions on here from very qualified folks !

I'm taking my car in on Friday for its first annual service since I bought it.....ex factory car and serviced by them previously. Using Mike Duncan, my local dealer and he's quoted a lot less...I'll report back once its been done.