What is going to happen about all these failing rubber components? The classic car magazines appear to have woken up to this, looks like a ticking time bomb for any rubber parts replaced in the past 10 years or so.
Here's a trivial (i.e. non-safety) example: a gear lever gaiter for a Land Rover 110. I replaced a torn gear lever gaiter 7 years ago when we changed the engine, and the then-new replacement has perished around many of the creases. It's not been nibbled, or worn, or abused... just the rubber material has failed:
It was a non-genuine pattern part bought from a reputable LR parts specialist. The cost difference is currently £33 genuine vs. £7.50 non-genuine. I suspect it was a similar disparity when I purchased the above.
The same style of original (genuine!) gaiter is still working perfectly on our 29 year old LR 90. Guess which one I bought this time round?
What of hoses and suspension bushes that aren't so visible but are much more important?
