Morgan has introduced strengthened components for its 3 Wheeler following a suspension failure during an Autocar track test.
In the incident, which took place during Autocar’s annual Britain’s Best Driver’s Car test, the front wishbones were bent and a front wheel was detached.
Morgan’s engineers believe the lower wishbone failed because it had been weakened during previous track use. They said the wishbones’ failure under braking preceded the top and bottom ball joints detaching, which left the right front wheel loose. That grounded the chassis, which seriously damaged the car and made steering impossible.
Morgan says the wishbones are “suitably designed for their intended purpose”, but that if “pushed beyond the limits of normal road/sport driving — ie, track days, off-road driving and accidental high impacts — the wishbones may get damaged”. If they are not then replaced, a subsequent total failure similar to that of our test car’s could occur.
Morgan has since increased the strength of production wishbones by 20 per cent “to allow a larger safety margin to cover people using their cars for experiences beyond normal road driving conditions”.
Morgan has said it will supply new lower wishbones free to existing owners who want them. They will take an hour to fit, but Morgan insists it is not issuing a recall.
