19 replies to this topic

[zony]

Last year I replaced the knuckle joints , top and bottom ball joints and the lower arm bushes. This was end of June 2012.

 

Today, jacked up the car took the wheel off and was disappointed to find the ball joint dust covers with tiny cracks in them, the knuckle joint rubber perished and my Minispares uprated bottom arm bushes also with cracks in the large visible edge.

 

What could be causing this. Mini has only covered 200 miles in a year from Bath to North Wales, where I now live. Plus a few trips through the local lanes here. But no more than 20 miles. Its really annoying that I have to strip it all down again. To be honest have only checked one side so far. Trolley jack decided to f**k up so I need to go shopping tomorrow.

 

Another thing is the purple poly stabiliser bushes fitted only last week - a chunk has broken off.

 

Rang Ivan at Minispares and he is sending some more out , but why do you think they are perishing.

Edited by zony, 25 June 2013 - 10:58 PM.

[miniman24]

Its bad quality rubber and unfortunately its widespread with Mini parts and I imagine with other classic car parts - my TRE boots perished within a few months of fitting them! I dont know who sells consistently good rubber parts anymore.

[JustSteve]

All of the rubbers you mention, have also perished on mine. Never even seen the road...

[Captain Mainwaring]

Last year I replaced the knuckle joints , top and bottom ball joints and the lower arm bushes. This was end of June 2012.

 

Today, jacked up the car took the wheel off and was disappointed to find the ball joint dust covers with tiny cracks in them, the knuckle joint rubber perished and my Minispares uprated bottom arm bushes also with cracks in the large visible edge.

 

What could be causing this. Mini has only covered 200 miles in a year from Bath to North Wales, where I now live. Plus a few trips through the local lanes here. But no more than 20 miles. Its really annoying that I have to strip it all down again. To be honest have only checked one side so far. Trolley jack decided to f**k up so I need to go shopping tomorrow.

 

Another thing is the purple poly stabiliser bushes fitted only last week - a chunk has broken off.

 

Rang Ivan at Minispares and he is sending some more out , but why do you think they are perishing.

 

 

Where does it all come from?

[Gadgets]

Could just be from lack of use, stood still to long (rubber dries out and perishes)  Perhaps coat them with 3 in one spray oil.

[tiger99]

DO NOT USE OIL (spray or otherwise)! That will hasten their demise. Rubber grease may help, but it is usually silicone based so you don't want it near paintwork that will soon need attention, as although it is harmless it is very difficult to get rid of and prevents paint from sticking.

 

Sadly, the supposedly reputable Mini suppliers are mainly to blame here, for sourcing their parts from back street Chinese suppliers with no quality control. It is possible to get good stuff made in China, but you do have to specify what you want very carefully and use reputable manufacturers. It worries me greatly that they are probably sourcing ball joints and high tensile bolts from similar sources.

 

It may not be true for all types of part, but in general Moss and Somerford seem to be a bit more careful about their product quality, with Minisport right at the bottom.

[zony]

I bought the parts from Minispares, how are they rated. Guess its best to get as near as genuine as possible from Rimmers etc.

Edited by zony, 26 June 2013 - 12:48 PM.

[Captain Mainwaring]

I'd start a thread asking people to state where and what poor quality parts they have encountered, and in what manner they failed, but  maybe better leave it to a mod - I think this is a very real and worrying problem, and it is only a matter of time before someone suffer more than just an inconvenience......

[sonikk4]

If you have issues with parts from any UK based company then contact them with your issues first before using the forum. If after that you do not get the answer you want ( be careful what you write though) then say on here what your problem is etc.

 

Bad batches do occur even with the best quality control and not just with our little cars. Even new vehicles suffer with parts being substandard.

[Carlos W]

Bad batches do occur even with the best quality control and not just with our little cars. Even new vehicles suffer with parts being substandard.

 

Like new Mazda 6 cam chains stretching  

[Captain Mainwaring]

If you have issues with parts from any UK based company then contact them with your issues first before using the forum. If after that you do not get the answer you want ( be careful what you write though) then say on here what your problem is etc.

 

Bad batches do occur even with the best quality control and not just with our little cars. Even new vehicles suffer with parts being substandard.

 

As I said, i'm not trying to start a war....but every day you have posts complaining that something didn't fit/fell to bits/lasted 3 miles...blah blah blah....

 

Your hands are tied between advertisers/trade posters and being frank, that's something that's not easy t balance.

 

After market parts can be good.....but frequently they aren't. There is a recession on, and people need to make money. People like me would just prefer to pay £25 instead of a tenner for OEM, though not everyone else would.

 

I wish that more spares outfits would be a bit more honest about stuff. 

 

There is no way that something shipped half way around the world and then dutied and VAT'd and profit'ed that finally ends up half the cost of OEM can be made to a realistic standard - well, that's my view....and if I had a pound for every nut that is supposed to be A4 or 316 but is something inferior....

[robminibcy]

 

If you have issues with parts from any UK based company then contact them with your issues first before using the forum. If after that you do not get the answer you want ( be careful what you write though) then say on here what your problem is etc.

 

Bad batches do occur even with the best quality control and not just with our little cars. Even new vehicles suffer with parts being substandard.

 

As I said, i'm not trying to start a war....but every day you have posts complaining that something didn't fit/fell to bits/lasted 3 miles...blah blah blah....

 

Your hands are tied between advertisers/trade posters and being frank, that's something that's not easy t balance.

 

After market parts can be good.....but frequently they aren't. There is a recession on, and people need to make money. People like me would just prefer to pay £25 instead of a tenner for OEM, though not everyone else would.

 

I wish that more spares outfits would be a bit more honest about stuff. 

 

There is no way that something shipped half way around the world and then dutied and VAT'd and profit'ed that finally ends up half the cost of OEM can be made to a realistic standard - well, that's my view....and if I had a pound for every nut that is supposed to be A4 or 316 but is something inferior....

 

 

I too would much rather pay extra for quality parts. Its all very well complaining to the sellers about problems and i know often they will supply new parts or refunds. However it still does not hide the fact that the parts are not to the required quality and does not prevent you having to replace parts yearly that previously would have lasted years.

[zony]

I have been sent replacements, I will fit them and keep an eye out. Is there anything to put on them, as there is grease on one side.

[grahama]

Mr radius arm dust seals have perished, hardened and broken into pieces and the mini has not been used on the road yet.  It has only had them in for about 8 months,  very disappointed to be honest.  Have to spend a few hours replacing them before I can move it anywhere.

[zony]

Oh bugger , will have to check those as well. Same ones as top arm. Mine appear to be ok, they were new last year too.