| PLEASE mention Cuthbert (alias Gary Bell) if you copy or republish his ideas. He has done so much for all of us and it is unfair to deny him credit for it. |
I
like the idea of kingpin gaiters, though I can't decide whether the
leather or the "Sunbrella" would be the better material. Either one is
better than absolutely nothing protecting the lower end of the king-pin
where most of the wear occurs. Grit enters at the bottom and becomes a
grinding paste, quickly wearing away at the mild steel kingpins. I came
up with this idea thirty years ago.
I've seen
suggestions for nylon seals below the lower bush to keep out the grime
and grit. I won't bad mouth the nylon seal idea, but the leather or "Sunbrella"
gaiter is ever-so-much easier to install. A piece of "Sunbrella" 3 1/2"
by 6" will cover the lower or rebound spring, and a piece 10" by 10" will
cover the main spring. Both of these dimensions allow a half inch to hem
all the edges and an inch to sew on the "Velcro" that fastens the gaiters
to themselves. Before sewing the Velcro, make sure the fit is perfect on
your springs.
P.S. Update 2003. Thinking I was so...o..o.. o clever, I told my brand new best friend Lorne Goldman (webmaster of www.gomog.com) about the gaiters. He's tried my idea and likes it! He tried a number of different materials and confirms that leather is the best bet. Vinyl cracked and mohair rotted. Cost of these things is really only time, a bit of Velcro and scrap leather. Maybe $1 in total.
N.B.
I also found that the top gaiter is unnecessary. Webmaster
RUTHERFORDREBOUND
GAITERS
by
Lorne Goldman
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Rebound
gaiters can go a long way to preserve the front end. They keep grease in
and grit/water out and last forever. However, many home made gaiters, especially
made for some pleated materiel designed for another purpose, can actually
do the opposite. If the fit is not made for Morgan, grit enters and cannot
be easily removed with the gaiter in the way. If you use one of these,
I strongly suggest that the gaiter be removed frequently and the grit thoroughly
out. I have seen many attempts that are less than perfect.
David Rutherford,
the Morgan suspension guru, has designed and has made pleated rubber gaiters
that fit over the rebound springs at installation. They ideally do the
trick and look good. They can be had through Heart
of England Morgans. Contact John
Worrall.
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