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Quality Of Mini Spares Rubber Parts


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#31 Gerbil367

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Posted 15 August 2014 - 08:21 PM

thanks mate - I will get a separator, I thought I was going to have to take it all apart for a minute!! :D



#32 Spider

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Posted 09 January 2015 - 07:26 AM

Apologies in advance for reviving an old thread

 

 

 

Why do I want to buy something for £5.00 to HAVE to replace at my time and expense 9 months later, I would prefer to pay £20 and be sure its OK for a few years.


Unfortunately, I imagine a lot of people want cheaper, not better.

 

 

 

I am on a few forums these days and the message I am reading is a few years back, that was the case, ie, people wanting cheap, but in the past 5 years or so, ownership of these cars has moved somewhat from the daily driver hack more to an enthusiast's / collector's car. I think the newer breed is wanting quality, for which they are willing to pay a reasonable premium for. Even reading through this thread, that's the message I'm reading.



#33 Mini Manannán

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Posted 09 January 2015 - 08:19 AM

Apologies in advance for reviving an old thread

 

 

 

Why do I want to buy something for £5.00 to HAVE to replace at my time and expense 9 months later, I would prefer to pay £20 and be sure its OK for a few years.


Unfortunately, I imagine a lot of people want cheaper, not better.

 

 

 

I am on a few forums these days and the message I am reading is a few years back, that was the case, ie, people wanting cheap, but in the past 5 years or so, ownership of these cars has moved somewhat from the daily driver hack more to an enthusiast's / collector's car. I think the newer breed is wanting quality, for which they are willing to pay a reasonable premium for. Even reading through this thread, that's the message I'm reading.

 

Me for one.  I've been through three tie-rod rubbers in six months  >_<  I'd much prefer to pay three times the price and do the job once.



#34 Icey

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Posted 11 June 2016 - 07:50 PM

Holy thread revival, Batman!

 

Just thought I'd update the long running complaint about poor quality rubber parts. Last year I had to replace a set of 0 mile TREs because the rubbers had perished before the car had turned a wheel. We've now done a few hundred miles (no more than 500) and prepping for the MOT next week we found the rubbers had gone again. I'll check back through my invoices at some point to find out where they came, I can't remember if it was from an online supplier or not.

 

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We've now got some 'OEM' ends from Moss (Delphi branded), here's hoping they last a little longer.



#35 Spider

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Posted 11 June 2016 - 08:55 PM

Icey, don't feel lonely there mate. I've had a few cars that I've done restoration work to, over the last few years had nearly all the rubbers turn to dust even before getting them off the stands.

 

I've swapped to a different supplier and touch wood, so far, so good, but they don't have a full range.



#36 MRA

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Posted 13 June 2016 - 09:24 PM

So who would be interested in a better quality range of rubber product ?  there are better grades available and I know just the company that can help.



#37 MRA

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Posted 13 June 2016 - 09:25 PM

I use Gylcerine on my rubber components rubber absorbes it, and its used in the manufacturing process, it make it supple and less prone to cracking. Obviously no good if the rubber is poor quality to start with,or the rubber content is weak.

 

Most of the modern "rubbers" are actually synthetics so glycerine will have no affect.



#38 Icey

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Posted 13 June 2016 - 09:28 PM

TRE boots, rack bellows and handbrake lever gaiters are the first three that spring to mind that could do with a high quality production run (suspension bushes we at least have nylon alternatives). But yes, if the price isn't really daft I'd be very interested.

 

Edit - two more have just spring to mind, knuckle boots and CV gaiters. Both I've had issues with recently due to poor quality rubber.


Edited by Icey, 13 June 2016 - 09:29 PM.


#39 1984mini25

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Posted 13 June 2016 - 09:39 PM

Edit - two more have just spring to mind, knuckle boots and CV gaiters. Both I've had issues with recently due to poor quality rubber.

 

You don't say... I'm about to replace mine for the 4th time in 6 years. (last 2 sets bought from mini-mine)

 

9475341804_fa4c8f7ced_z.jpg


Edited by 1984mini25, 13 June 2016 - 09:39 PM.


#40 Dusky

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Posted 13 June 2016 - 09:54 PM

My knuckle boots are Failing as well, fitted them in november 2015..

#41 MRA

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Posted 13 June 2016 - 10:52 PM

Well the tool would be about £6500 making the cost £6.50 each for 1000 off without even costing the material and development time etc etc....  then there's the testing costs, a rough ball park figure would be about £30 each with a 36 month guarantee.  so I guess it will never happen unless you already own the tooling.



#42 Icey

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Posted 14 June 2016 - 08:31 AM

Well the tool would be about £6500 making the cost £6.50 each for 1000 off without even costing the material and development time etc etc....  then there's the testing costs, a rough ball park figure would be about £30 each with a 36 month guarantee.  so I guess it will never happen unless you already own the tooling.

 

Well hang on now, lets chuck some maths at it, I'll use my experience with the TREs.

 

I've now bought 3 pairs in the last three years. The first two pairs were ~£20 (so £40 in total), the last a little more expensive at ~£26. So over three years I've spent over £30 per side on TREs. If I had a pair of high quality TREs (costing ~£30 a side) that lasted for a year longer than their 36month guarantee I'm up on the deal on just component cost alone.

 

Let's not right the idea off just yet....


Edited by Icey, 14 June 2016 - 08:32 AM.


#43 black olive

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Posted 14 June 2016 - 10:23 AM

dont forget rear suspension trumpet front knuckles. had to change them after less than 18 months



#44 Midas Mk1

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Posted 14 June 2016 - 11:09 AM

Fuel tank rubber bung is awful too, hate how modern rubber products seem to be so poor now a days :(



#45 MRA

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Posted 14 June 2016 - 01:53 PM

I was looking at a Mini rear screen, it's been in the family for 45+ years and never needed a rear screen rubber, yet a new front screen rubber was fitted less than 2 years ago and is already cracking, so there are lots of possibilities but in every case tooling is the expensive item and any specialised machinery.

 

I have used a specialised synthetic rubber product in the past, it is impervious to oils and greases, but carries a hefty price tag, which was ok for military applications but not so for automotive, the reason is simple, I will explain....

 

1) chinese brake discs £5 a pair

2) european brake discs £20 a pair

 

Both being sold at the same price because some retail outlets have no morals or understanding of the parts and or quality, this makes it very difficult to sell decent quality products, it needs the big retailers to buy into this.






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