Difficulty in fitting brake lines to the master is due to the ends of the steel flares having been squashed by over tightening.  Girling calls for a tightening torque of 15 inch lbs.  The tube nuts should be able to be easily threaded all the way into the master cylinder ports by fingers alone.

N.B. I replaced my master cylinder with a dual line arrangement. I used 90 degree fittings with pipe threads into the M/C and have been told that it is a  no-no because they cannot be trusted not to leak.  Proof of the pudding is that one of them does leak. In looking at John Sheally's car at MOG 30 I noticed that he had banjo fittings on the M/C and he said I could get them at a truck supply house. Having tolerated the slight leak throughout a weekend of vintage racing I  now plan to do something proper to correct it.  The banjos worked for John.

The other care to take on fitting the lines to a tandem master is to make sure that the correct line goes to the correct port in the MC. They should never be swapped.

Rear Deck Metal Straps

For the person who is concerned about what to put under the aluminum straps on the rear deck of that freshly rebuilt Moggie the suggestion is: marine bedding compound. It is a waterproof putty-like material that is meant to be applied under items to be screwed down to the deck of a boat. It is semi-solid, and oozes into nooks and crannies under the cleat, stanchion, etc to be affixed, and then  hardens somewhat, but never becomes brittle. It keeps water, both salt and  fresh, out, preventing rust and dry rot, and would probably work quite well  on a Morgan.

Stripped Wheels Studs
by John Sheally, Chris Towner and Lance Lipscomb

This happens when the nuts fail or are improperly torqued, (too tight or too loose).

Depending on the flange you should be able to knock the stud out with a well placed knock of a soft wheel hammer and replace it with press in splined stud (obtainable at a factor or NAPA etc). The exception is if the stud has been tagged or spotted in then you would have to carefully drill the old studs out. Check for a spot weld on the back of the stud before.  If there is a spot weld, that weld can be cut with a dremel or and angle grinder. Some studs are just pressed in. You can knocked the piece out and use a lug nut and a socket as a spacer to pull the new one in so that there is not need to remove the hub.

If there is insufficient room to drive the old stud out, the assembly will have to be removed.  Once the  stripped stud is driven is out  a new one is pressed on and/or pulled  through. You can a wheel nut on backwards and use an impact gun to "pull" the  new  stud  into place.  Thing of using the highest quality replacements you can find..such as ARP studs.

Wheel Nuts
by Tony McLaughlin, Ron Davis, Simon Orebi Gann, Roderich Schwarz & Dave Farmer

Lubricate the lug nuts with "never seize" and torque them to 65 lbsft..  Because the end of the studs going into the wheel hub are smaller than the end that goes through the wheel, the torque that the stud can safely take is limited by the inner end. 65 lbfts of torque is plenty to hold the wheel securely. Much more is running a risk of either damaging the threads of the nuts or studs or loosening the studs from the hubs. This information applies the all bolt-on Morgans. For further information,  please check torque specifications for different wheel nuts HERE.

Leaf Spring Choices
by Lorne Goldman

Morgan Leaf Springs have come in a number of variations over the years. People get confused as to which one to use. To my mind, the more compliant a suspension is, the more your wheels stay on the ground rather than bounce off it, especially in a road car. However, this has not always been the accepted lore for the Morgan company and the sad reputation of Morgan suspensions reflects this.

7 leafs; Which in the past produced an almost unbearable ride for 4-seaters.

6 leafs: In the past often used on 4-seaters and installed as stock on Plus 8s and Roadsters, creating a very stiff non-compliant ride. BRUTAL for 2 seater 4/4s.

5 leafs: Also used on Plus 8s with good results until the 2000s, Used on Plus 4s and 4/4s

4 leafs:A high quality product supplied by a new very reputable spring expert. It has solved the crisis caused by the quality of the springs used before its arrival. By 2006, the previous suppliers springs were causing tramp issues and bottoming out in the Roadsters and Plus 4s. Additionally, the springs would sag..to the point of collapse, in only a few months. The Factory was forced to finally find a better supplier and pay more. This price increase (100%) has been passed onto owners but it is worth it! 2019 note. I am told these springs suddenly started sagging as well!

I went through three sets of new MMC springs on my Plus 8 from 2005 to 2008. On the last round, I had three choices. (1) Replace them again with the same springs,(2) have the existing set retempered and arc'ed with an expert, (3) try the new 4 leafs. I took the third option and I am thrilled I did. Their better quality and design transforms the comfort and comportment of the cars.

WATCHPOINT: There are also other variations on the theme. For example, one can remove the smallest leaf from a 6 leaf spring and the result will be a firmer 5 effect. That being said, I am a big fan of the newer 4 leaf springs made for Morgans by their new (post 2009) supplier. For older Moggers, their reference were meant to be a firmness level between the old 5 leafs and the older 6 leafs.

ADDENDUM 2013  The latest reports suggest that the new 4 leaf springs are now prematurely sagging as well. This, along with a basic misunderstanding of leaf spring suspensions, has caused a deadly domino effect that is causing a serious prejudice to Morgan new car suspensions. Leaf springs have a number of tasks to perform. The most important is to absorb impacts and to shape that absorption. A secondary task is to maintain a desired ride height. The first task is a function of many factors, most importantly including the rear weight of the vehicle. With all these sagging springs, cars are being fitted with springs made for heavier loads, coupled with lowering blocks to disguise the real ride height. The only possible result of this practice is to destroy the comfort and comportment of the car. The common sense solution is to have proper springs made.

Leaf Springs (To Grease Them or Not!!)
by Jean Frederic Frot

I feel inclined to give you my observations on this prickly matter. A very humble opinion.

You will struggle to find an agreement on which solution is the best as both methods have their advantages and faults. In fact, it is not a question of the best but what you are trying to achieve. But read on.....

The Greasing Option

Grease was used systematically from the days of the horse drawn carriages and was adopted in the same manner on horseless carriages all the way until the second world war. Luxury cars where equipped with gaiters to contain the grease and add grease through grease nipples on top of the gaiter. On more modest automobiles, one would wrap the blades in grease impregnated cotton gauze. Some manufacturers went to the extent of fitting the car with a tank, pump and valves which allowed you to oil all four corners from a button on the dashboard (Horch and Maybach, Panhard & Levassor). If history can teach us something, one would think that they would not have persisted for so long and spent so much effort in error.

This was abandonned after WWII as roads got better and manufacturers wanted to save money to make their cars cheap and for everyone. The main reasons for the lubrication where two-fold: Wear and comfort. It is not rocket science to understand that fitting 4 to 7 blades of tempered steel with different spring rates will cause them to rub against one another as they adopt different shape as they bow or flatten when the vehicle goes over the bumps. You can hear it if they are not greased, it is that annoying squeaky noise from the rear.

This rubbing action is detrimental to the full travel of each blade, some energy being lost in the friction. So first important point, dry blades travel less than greased ones. Second conclusion, the friction causes each blade to wear and loose a bit of its thickness so the assembly will become weaker and weaker. Again this can be observed, this is the reason why you have to re-tighten the nyloc nuts of the shackles from time to time. Contrary to the legend, they do not come loose, but your blades rubbing at every bump for thousand of miles just grind them thinner. To avoid the loss of travel and have the most comfortable ride without noise or wear, blades were lubricated. This was important as roads were terribly uneven, potholes were very common and it was not unusual to brake the main blade (which takes the most of the load).

In our modern days motoring, we can distill this wisdom into a FROT'S LAW;  If you want a softer, more comfortable rear suspension, grease it

This will mean that if you drive mostly on continental european roads on long distances, it will be more comfortable but also, the road holding will improve as you will stay in contact with the tarmac a little longer and you will limit the wear considerably. Lorne, the GoMoG Webmaster is an ideal candidate for greasing with his very high mileage, love of uneven little country roads where the car bounces from potholes to bumps and I am sure that his vertebrae are grateful for it. An important point, if you have the luxury of adjustable shockers, consider stiffening them a bit as a softer suspension requires more damping. The main drawback is that grease retains dirt eventually turning grease into valve grinding compound, this is why if you grease, it is better to fit gaiters or wrap them, (or clean them regularly and regrease. Webmaster).

The NO Grease Option

We have seen from the above that no greasing makes the suspension stiffer and increases the wear. However, if you drive mainly on even roads or even better, if you race the car, this is ideal as a rolling and dancing car will not improve your time round the track. You want as little travel as possible so that the car stays flat with the tyres in full contact with the black stuff. This setting is obviously the ideal one for John H. Sheally II hence his defense of the method. I also know how meticulous and experienced he is with his cars and I have no doubt that his regular maintenance program includes the re-tightening of the U-bolts from time to time (they are probably something more exotic than the nasty nyloc/cheap steel fitted by our favorite manufacturer. To clean and paint the leafs is an excellent idea to limit the wear. At the end of the day, it really is a question of personal choice, driving style and what you expect from your car.

Lorne's Leaf Springs Treatment
by Lorne Goldman

And don't forget, "to paint the leaf springs with motor oil to keep them lubricated",  the old-timer said. That may sound a little messy. But I have a variation on the theme that works a treat! (SEE BELOW)

Firstly, there are two types of leaf springs and many types of Morgan leaf spring u-bolts. Those that should never be lubricated (most often found on heavy trucks and trailers) and then there are those that require lubrication to allow the leaves to slide against each other. I am told the difference can be distinguished from the shackles used at regular intervals on both. Morgans use the second type.

Lubricating the springs improves the ride of the car. Some even use leather or canvas sacks to encase the springs in grease.  It also increases the load on the shocks. With the springs lubricated, you will have a smoother ride. Rusted together leaf springs creates a VERY stiff suspension.

Sadly slathering heavy grease on the leafs or motor oil, is a pain and it will take some time for the grease to penetrate. I used to use Castrol Chain Oil or Castrol Chain Wax. Comes in a spray. This uncanny stuff goes on thin from the can..it is designed to penetrate and will quickly creep between the leaves. But it turns into a thicker grease after contact. Tell your favorite mechanic of this trick and you will impress him.  Once a year is fine, unless you live in a very wet climate.

HOWEVER, I recently changed to silicone-based lubricant sprays rather than an oil-based sprays.  Some anti-friction material placed between the leaves by some suppliers can be damaged by oil-based products and Morgan has been changing suppliers every 2-3 years since the early 2000s. 

*N.B. Webmaster: I do not use gear oil. Substitute Castrol chain oil spray instead. It goes on cleaner, and then penetrates for better effect.

Leaf Springs (Removal & Fitting) 1997

I am at the stage of the replacing the fuel tank rear axle  and suspension back to where it came on my 1980 4/4 4 Seater.  At the shackles at each end of the spring there is a long bolt several large washers and two spacers one longer than the other. My problem is in which order do they go. Mike

No two Morgans are alike. The size of these spacers and their positioning varies from car to car. Therefore you have some fiddling to do to find out what goes where on YOUR car. The keys are to assure yourself that. The leaf springs are parallel to the frame.

1. Remove your weather equipment and sidescreens.

2. Remove the axle space carpet and the plywood cover underneath it.

3. Remove the seats.

4. Move the upholstery and remove the covers over the fronts of each leaf spring.

5. Jack the car at the rear and place it solidly on jack stand. Leave the jack positioned under the axle.
 

6. Remove the rear tyres and place them under the chassis rails, one per side.

7. With a the right socket (5/8"?) remove the inboard nuts on the u-bolts (2 per side)

8. Jack the axle up carefully (MAKING VERY SURE YOU DO NOT MAKE IT LIFT THE WEIGHT OF THE CAR FROM THE STANDS)

9. When you have sufficient clearance to the outboard bolts, remove them. (slow going here).

10. Place the full weight of the car back on the jack stands by lowering the jack under the axle.

11. Remove the nut from the holding bolt at the front eyelet of the leaf springs. Now re-thread it on back on a couple of threads.

12. I had a friend stand on the leaf spring with feet near the front eyelet.They were able to apply the precise pressure needed by simply pressing on the ceiling with their hands or even using a broom stick if it is too high. We found it was not difficult for him to do his part of the job. Once the spring eye is aligned with its hole in the frame, a bit of light hammering will get the bolt in or out using the nut you left on to protect its threads when removing . Once the bolt is removed, they can slowly remove the pressure of their weight. This is the way I use. I had never heard of it before but it worked easily. Others will have their own methods.

13. Remove the leaf spring bolt at the rear.

14. Remove the old spring and re-install using these directions in reverse.

N.B. Please consider replacing your U-Bolts and their nuts at this point. as an alternative to nylocs, stoffer nuts can be considered.

Morgan Axle U-Bolts and Saddle Plates
by Lorne Goldman

Morgan has used pretty much the same axle U-Bolts and saddle plates for more than a half century. Sadly, much of the community still does not understand their peculiarities and that can cause great damage unwittingly. As can be seen from the Factory's adjacent drawing, the u-bolts and their saddle plates hold the axle to the leaf springs and therefore, the car. The plates have five drilled holes. Four hold the u-bolts and the last, in the center of the plate is for the axle locating nut which holds the plate in position on the leaf springs.
 

The Morgan U-bolts are special. THEY MUST BE MADE SHORT, ESPECIALLY THE OUTBOARD ONE (or they will hit the frame flange and split it which can lead to the frame splitting at that point).

Sadly, damage to that flange is common. They jack the car from the rear and in doing so they compress the suspension. In compressing the suspension, they bring the rail flange right up to axle u-bolt nuts, often to the point where the outboard nut touches the flange! As they can no longer easily access or turn the outboard u-bolt nuts, they come up with all sorts of weird cures, involving crowbars, wooden blocks and sometimes, sadly, drilling access holes below the outboard nuts through that all- important frame flange!
 

WATCHPOINT II: It is a RULE that u-bolts should be tightened and replaced from time to time. U-bolts should NEVER be re-used after they are removed.  Morgan used the same u-bolts for decades, even while the bhp was going from 36 to 200+! They shear. Many owners notice the use of nyloc nuts, and with some logic, get distressed! (Nylocs cannot be fully torqued.  Many owners try to cure this issue by replacing the u-bolts with new, longer ones (They do not want to drill the plate for u-bolts of a wider OD.) They use longer standard axle u-bolt nuts. Stoffer nuts is an excellent solution. N.B. The use of longer u-bolts or u-bolt nuts forces the outboards into the frame flange each time the car is jacked for improper access to the u-bolts or every time the rear suspension compresses. Additionally, it shortens the suspension travel of the car and creates an impact point. In little time, the flange is damaged or split.

The nylocs and the short u-bolts are there for a reason. The MMC is/was trying to address an issue with the car's design. The weakness of the U-bolts used before those of very recent years CAN be addressed with stronger u-bolts of the same length but with thick bar stock and a better grade of metal. The MMC has been using thicker u-bolts on the newer cars. These bolts are also treated and the plates are anodized to slow rust. However, the plate is no thicker and the stronger u-bolts bow and weaken them in short time. You can purchase these new bolts and saddle plates from the Factory. For something bullet proof, buy the ultimates from. I recommend his upgraded u-bolts and plates for any owner with a suspension or anti-tramp system using the u-bolts or the axle saddle plates as anchors.

Torque Specifications for Morgan U-Bolts

3/8" - 30 ft. lbs (standard)
7/16" - 45 ft. lbs
1/2" - 65 ft. lbs

U-bolt Metal Grade

When you have an opportunity, change you factory u-bolts for graded. All 3/8" thru 9/16 U-Bolts should meet or exceed grade 5. .

We suggest that whenever the springs are removed and replaced, you should change your u-bolts at that time. I
 

WATCHPOINT IV: If a bowed saddle plate is evident, it MUST be replaced.

The nyloc nuts the MMC uses here are another weak point. They are not a good choice solution for this application. They cannot hold torque and must be tightened frequently AND replaced regularly. A better idea, considering the lack of space, is the use of stoffer nuts. They have a lower profile than nylocs, can take a high torque and never need re-tightening aside from compensating on rare occasion for u-bolt stretch. On the other hand, they are harder to find and a bit longer to fit. UK Source or US Source
 

WATCHPOINT V: U-Bolt NUTS Both John H. Sheally II and Lorne use stoffer nuts rather than (ill-chosen) nylocs for their u-bolts. Stoffers are ovalized and "grab" the threads tightly. Low profile, self-locking, they do not become loose like nylocs and they add space that is needed in this area. They do take a long time to fit and remove, just like the MMC's nylocs.

ACCESSING THE OUTBOARD U-BOLTS
by Lorne Goldman

Jack the car at the rear frame as you would normally. Place the rear solidly on jack stands (ALWAYS USE  JACK STANDS ANYTIME YOU ARE UNDER THE CAR!!!) Remove the jack. Place it under the axle. Jack the axle upwards until the outboard nuts are easily accessible (easiest with the inboard u-bolts out) but never so much as will make the frame's weight completely leave the jack stands. Wedge in a block of wood a side between chassis and leaf springs and then lower the car off the axle jack.

REAR BEARINGS
by Norm Patterson at the eMog Pub March 9, 2011

7HA Phase 2 Salisbury

Front Pinion:
M86610  front race
M86643  front bearing

Rear Pinion:
HM88610 rear race
HM88649 rear bearing

Axle bearings:
LM501311 race
LM501349 bearing

Morgan U-Bolts Holding the Leaf Springs 4 sections
by Lorne Goldman

These thingies are a bit tricky, but easy enough after you know the watchpoints.

1. The u-bolts MMC uses are thin cheap things..better changed to stronger fare. They originals can shear and stretch (yes metal stretches!) & this requires,, regular verification and tightening. Replacement at each service is advisable. This MMC feature becomes dangerous the more powerful your Morgan. MUCH better, thicker & stronger ones made of a higher grade of metal, These can be had from Morgan performance suppliers or you can modify the outboard u-bolt of a set purchased at a reputable auto factor/store length. Bring the old outboard bolt to the store to verify the length of what you are purchasing. Drill out the u-bolt plate a bit to fit the thicker stuff or by an alloy u-bolt plate from a performance supplier. Buying quality reduces over-time costs in this area.

2. There is a sad characteristic in this area.  Regular (non-Morgan) outboard u-bolts are too long and that is not noticed until it is too late. Owners jack up the car, creating space between the outboard u-bolt bottom and the thin horizontal flange of the chassis. When they lower the car, they do NOT notice that the u-bolts collide into that flange which quickly causes it to crack and split the flange. 

3. The length of your u-bolts depends on how many leafs you have. See the table below. If you have any of the missing lengths, pleae tell me them. The MMC doesn't have them either.