Talk Morgan Forums Thread Like Summary - Suspension Upgrade / Rutherford New Elms

Hi All,
Would appreciate feedback from those on here more experienced about these matters.....

Car: 1990 3.9L +8

After 33 year and just over 9,000 gentle miles motoring around North Yorkshire I think the car deserves some new suspension / shock absorbers. A recent MOT pass did highlighted a misting from the front shocks as something to keep and eye on!

I'm looking for ride quality rather than absolute grip / handling as the roads across the moors are bumpy and fun even at 50-60mph!

Reading 'gomog' it suggests the Rutherford AVO shock is best one for comfort, these are supplied by New Elms. At the same time I would replace the lever arms and have a telescopic conversion done. Also tempted by the front suspension overhaul with 'supple' springs and damper settings.
I have contacted Tim at New Elms, got a reasonable quote for the work which they would undertake.

What are your opinions on New Elm?
What are your experiences on; Rutherford Shocks, the telescopic conversion and their front end overhaul for a supple ride?
Any other options I should consider?

Many thanks
Jeremy

Jeremy

I can recommend Tim and the team at New Elms. I have used them since getting my 2000 4/4 a couple of years ago. I find that Tim is honest in his advice and doesn’t try to upsell just for the sake of it. I’ve had the Rutherford upgrade (plus kingpins and improved brakes) done there and it transformed the handling.

I’m a bit closer to Shaftsbury than you but it’s still a three hour round trip which I am happy to make for the service they provide (plus there are some brilliant roads around there).

All the best

Neil

Hi,
I would also highly recommend the Rutherford upgrade and the whole team at New Elms, they transformed the ride in my car (2009 4/4).

I travelled up the night before and stayed in a local pub. Tim lent us a car the next morning whilst they worked their magic on our car and we visited Haynes Motor Museum amongst other local attractions.

The car is so much more comfortable to drive now.

Cheers

Another thumbs up for Tim at New Elms from me. He did my Rutherford conversion exactly four years ago (I know because Facebook has been reminding me with the pictures I took on the trip). It transformed the ride and handling.

Shaftsbury is very close by and a nice town to visit.

Chatted with Tim a few times, nice bloke, haven't used them, due to distance, but they have a great reputation and all the Rutherford stuff is good.

I haven’t had the Rutherford conversion but have had my Plus 4 serviced at New Elms for many years. Very pleased with their expertise and the honest way they do business.
Bob.

Definitely would recommend New Elms - Tim and his team replaced my front suspension on my 2003 Plus 8 shortly after I bought it - transformed the ride and comfort!

My view is that given the modest suspension travel of a classic Morgan, particularly at the front, for some degree of comfort you need the initial travel to be soft and compliant. This would leave the suspension bottoming out too regularly though so some sort of dual rate system is needed, stiffening up in corners and under the more severe undulations.

If there is kingpin or bush wear this needs to be sorted as a priority or you are simply wasting your time with further improvements. Can't emphasize this enough.

Once done though the SSL RS (refinement system) front kit (as sanctioned by MMC towards end of Classic production) offers just the dual rate system mentioned above. Furthermore the main spring pre-load is adjustable with this kit allowing the ideal zero pre-load on rebound spring whilst static to be set and maintained. Any departure from this ideal will either a) if rebound spring under any pre-load, cause initial very high spring rate over bumps or b) if there is play between stub axle and rebound spring whilst static, allow excessive rebound travel leading to bouncy less comfortable ride over bumps. These technical facts are indisputable. The latter creeps up on you with natural main spring settling so there is a tendency to not notice until the play is adjusted out by whatever means.

My own path to these conclusions was after fitting SSL dual rate rear coilspring dampers to rear of my 5 link Roadster to replace the over stiff factory ones, providing initial comfort from rear but with less roll as well. This then highlighted the front deficiencies though hence their RS kit to compliment. I was told by Dan at SSL I was their first customer to sort out rear suspension before front though

I too rate New Elms , but just to throw in some alternative suggestions.

If you are after ride quality then the SSL front suspension is going to give you a much better ride than the New Elms shock absorber upgrade. However it does come at a price, and it is worth doing the king pins and bushes while the front is disassembled.

The SSL 5L upgrade for the rear is even more expensive (especially if having it done professionally rather than diy) but again that will truly transform the ride quality.

If the Rutherford conversion gives you the result you are looking for then great. If not , then start saving the pennies for the SSL work.

I've used Tim for parts for my Mogs with absolutely no dramas whatsoever.

He's got a competition background too and races on what he sells!

When doing the front end rebuild, don't forget the PTFE washer kit available from Terry Foxen at GEE, lightens the steering perfectly


Arwyn

I fitted SSL to my old +4 from 97. The car was far better but also had new king pins , bushes & shocks so it should be .I'm neither a fan nor a critic but I would now go the shock & king pin route first.

My Roadster has adjustable shocks and is fine for me. I have driven cars with SSL front & rear the rear is definitely stiffer & more placed on bends but I don't find it better just different. Others on here will have the opposite view.
I would try to find a local owner with the full or partial SSL who will let you test drive before you buy. Nut also be aware MMC changed the steering geometry so later cars are just better.

Also do the basics first. Brake reaction bars are very cheap & really stiffen the front.
Fit a panhard rod etc

When I bought my 2006 4/4 last year it already had the SSL front end so I’ve known no difference. But I, and more importantly my regular travelling companion, found the rear end harsh and constantly bottoming out. Front and rear shocks were bilstein so not factory fit.

Whilst travelling in Cornwall earlier this year the rear lower shock mounts failed. Managed to get a temporary repair but took it to New Elms on my return and had some Rutherford AVO rear shocks and mounts fitted - it has transformed the car

And as others have said, it was an honest job and no attempt to up-sell and replace the fronts. In fact when test driving after the repair Darren said the front end set up was good and needed no work

So I can’t recommend New Elms highly enough