The quality of modern rubber components

[Roderick Spode]

Submitted one of our recently restored fleet for it's second MoT last week. It's only done a mere 250 miles between annual inspections since being returned to the road after 20+ years living in a hedge. Replaced virtually everything on the underside apart from the actual chassis - so all suspension, brakes, fuel components, etc. Given the low mileage and the comprehensive rebuild it had last year, I gave it a quick wash and a cursory check of obvious failure items - lights, wipers, horn - and brought it down for it's test.

Fail.

The steering rack gaiters had both cracked and perished, with one actually splitting in the middle. These are buried in the depths of the engine bay and I hadn't checked them, as they were brand new last year from a reputable marque specialist.

In addition to this elsewhere on the fleet, I bought some R9 fuel injection hose, again from a recognised big name trader - all cracked and perished within 18 months of fitment. Have now bought a reel of Gates Barricade hose (mucho expensivo) to see if it will last longer than a year and a half.

Have I just been unfortunate, or have other classic owners experienced the same poor quality with modern rubber components?

[Touring442]

I replaced all the fuel hoses on one of mine with new stuff from BMW - we'll see how long that lasts.

[Mr Peel]

I haven't had my classic Mini long enough to be replacing bits, but I know loads of Mini people complain about the quality of rubber parts. This includes the major suppliers, so it appears not just to be a cheap Ebay Chinese thing.

[Lotobear]

I've had this with lots of bits for my classic cars, a particular gripe is gaiters on steering joints, knuckle joints and similar.

I don't really think it's 'modern rubber' as it doesn't happen to the rubber bits on new cars. I just think it's Chinese produced ste where suppliers go to have these low volume parts re made.

[v8250]

This is a hugely common problem, with most "rubber..." components being made of UV sensitive low grade plastic/rubber blends. As part of my Land Rover rebuild every suspension part was replaced with new, very carefully selected components. Fourteen months on from completion I rx'd an MOT advisory of all steering ball joints and A-frame ball joint rubber have near perished.

I've subsequently found the Bulgarian based company, Poly Boots, who make a wide range polyurethane polymer boots and have great European distribution. They are correctly priced and many are available with double bellow which ensure greater flexibility per boot. I ordered a complete set and will be changing the boots this coming weekend.

Here link and some background to these guys...https://polyboots.com/

>>Our history
In 1998 we had a business concerned with steering and suspension service, wheel alignment and many other different maintaining services.

Also, we had offered ball joint restorations and moreover, we had provided guarantees to our customers, but there were not qualitative ball joint replacement boots on the market, which led to little complaints.

Therefore, we have decided to deal with manufacturing. The road was long and difficult. The major problem was choosing qualified materials. Here is the place to express our gratitude to Professor Hristo Cvetanov and his team from the Institute of polymers in Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. They have guided us to polyurethane elastomers. Afterwards we have developed our own technology and know-how.

Until now the polyurethane dust boots are with high consumer value. You are lucky to take advantage of our experience.<<

[rufusgti]

A couple of years ago I replaced all the bushings up front with genuine Porsche parts on a 30 year old 944. It cost hundreds and I couldn have bought poly bushes for the same money. I wanted the car to feel "right" so I stuck with genuine Porsche, supplied by Porsche themselves. After merely 2-3k the bushes on the front bar have become loose and miss shapen. Not very good at all and has made me contemplate whether it's worth doing the back bushings at all.

[OldDuffer]

I'm afraid I've seen too much of this too. Fortuantely easy to replace, for me its classic Land rover gearstick & handbrake gaiters. New rubber goes like, blancmange, just floats apart not 18 mths after fitment.

Thing is, first time out maybe I asked for trouble - they were cheap a chips - only branded stuff seems no better.

[Roderick Spode]

Here is the gaitor that came off the car, after 12 months faithful service. New branded replacements from local motor factor, so at least if they fall apart come the next MoT I can drop in and chat immoderate at them.

[bucksmanuk]

I changed my rear top mounts on my E46 at Christmas as I was doing a rear wheel bearing and putting some new dampers on. It’s a touring so loads of trim has to come out – a genuine 4-hour job.

Both of them were totally finished just into May.

I put 2 new ones on a week after.

One of them has just started knocking

Neither were the cheapest imaginable either, they weren’t dealer parts but were a supposedly “quality” brand.

The next 2 that go will be from BMW themselves.

[Zener]

Roderick Spode said:

Here is the gaitor that came off the car, after 12 months faithful service. New branded replacements from local motor factor, so at least if they fall apart come the next MoT I can drop in and chat immoderate at them.

Universal generic crap is why you can tell by the multi sized ends , they was always crap Balco , Quinton Hazell etc , better off fitting new old stock genuine , was fitting this stuff over ten years ago to get people out of trouble and back on the road MOT etc but failing within twelve months refused too supply them after seeing a few different cars fail on exactly the same thing a year later (I dont work for free) but agree rubber items are generally crap even some bigger brands buy-in/rebrand generic ste