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Old 2nd May 2018, 11:56   #1
RoverDan
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Default Poor quality rubber components

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?
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Old 2nd May 2018, 12:17   #2
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It’s down to the processing as well as the materials used I’m afraid, plastic and rubber parts need to be processed at the correct temperatures, a lot of Chinese / Turkish parts are moulder far too quickly at reduced temperatures which alters the molecular structure of the polymer. Hence you get to see early failures due to stress.

I’m afraid the same will happen to suspension parts too.
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Old 2nd May 2018, 12:27   #3
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The British motor parts industry spent decades in time and millions in research to achieve an excellent standard of materials. This has, in the main, been given or thrown away to foreign manufacturers with none of the experience or expertise to produce parts of the original quality. The old British Standards (Kite mark) was there for a purpose. Our lives are now in the hands of others. I would hasten to add that not all foreign manufacturers are bad but you tend to get what you pay for!!!
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Old 2nd May 2018, 12:50   #4
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Happening a lot lately especially with all the pattern parts out there..
personally had reputable ?? Rubber boots last 6 months and Perish and repalcement boots not last a lot longer

Not even getting something from a Recognised established supplier is NO guarantee nowadays , as none of them run any sort of quality control other than "let the buyers "test it !..


Bin there dunnit etc !!!



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Old 2nd May 2018, 13:07   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RoverDan View Post
replaced a torn gear lever gaiter 7 years ago

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.
Buy 4 pattern parts, protect them with something like 303 (which started as a boat rubber and plastic protectant against UV and ozone degredation and seems to get good reviews) keep the three you don't use in a dry and dark place with a stable temperature and you'll have enough to last the next 28 years and still have paid less than for a 'genuine' one!
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Old 2nd May 2018, 13:22   #6
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Not sure how UV protection is really going to Help for rubber boots etc hidden under a wing .. but swatting up on Ozone degradation ? we need something!
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Old 2nd May 2018, 14:03   #7
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Rubber degradation does seem to be a growing problem, I had a replacement CV joint fitted to my 45 and 14 months later the boot had split open.

This was due to the rubber perishing not physical damage.
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Old 2nd May 2018, 14:51   #8
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It supply and demand, people want cheap, people make items as cheap as possible.

If I went to a part shop and I was offer genuine at £35 and a copy at £7.50. I and I am sure the majority would take the copy every time.

But as we are now starting to see, no one is making quality items as there is no market, and we are on a race to the bottom!

Barry
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Old 2nd May 2018, 15:31   #9
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How long before these failures are causing injury and deaths?
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Old 2nd May 2018, 16:24   #10
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We have had decades of every body wanting stuff as cheap as possible. We are own worse enemies.

One of the Jensen suppliers was telling me how bad it has got that quality parts even from the USA are getting harder to find. Engine mounts are a typical example, genuine Mopar items were about £100 a pair even 20 years ago but now are less than £30 but they are made in India and last a couple of years if you are lucky where as the originals would last 5 or 6 years easily.

Instead of asking for a lower price we should ask for an item with the longest warranty. If we are sending parts back under warranty after 24 months that will soon start improving the quality.
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