new 'original' parts of poor quality(?)

[nta16]

to clarify, the following is for classic car parts, referring to classic MGs (though the parts obviously are also on other BMC/BL makes and models) bought after 1st Jan 2013

to help dispel rumour and keep up to date with the current situation of the quality of new 'original' parts and which are still of poor quality and function I'm doing this little survey

by 'original' I mean original style rather than a generic item that could be used

have you recently (say this year after 1st Jan 2013) bought and/or fitted newly made parts that were badly made, wrong profile, of poor or faulty function?

parts that spring to my mind are -

electrical:
. ignition switch
. starter solenoid
. . added from another poster - starter relays
. . possibly dissy caps
. rotor arm
. condenser
. CB points
. indicator flasher unit
. brake light switches
. fuel pump

with rubber:
. track rod ends
. gaiters
. drop links
. fuel hose
. coolant hoses
. door seals
. header rail seal

others:
. wiper arms
. heater tap/valve
. added from another poster - rear hub seals o rings too small in section
. added from another poster - chrome on front sidelight units and their fixing screws
. added from another poster - diff pin drilled off centre


note: for reliable good quality dissy parts go to Distributor Doctor (such as proper 'red' rotor arms, CB points and condensers, etc.) - http://www.distributordoctor.com/

for fuel hose I now used use modern Goodyear 6mm (instead of 1/4")

for good quality silicone hoses try Classic Silicone Hoses - http://www.classicsiliconehoses.com/

for heater taps that don't leak go to Ashley Hinton eBay listings

Edited by nta16 on Tuesday 18th June 07:31

[Steffan]

nta16 said:

to help dispel rumour and keep up to date with the current situation of the quality of new 'original' parts and which are still of poor quality and function I'm doing this little survey

by 'original' I mean original style rather than a generic item that could be used

have you recently bought and/or fitted newly made parts that were badly made, wrong profile, of poor or faulty function?

parts that spring to my mind are -

electrical:
. ignition switch
. starter solenoid
. rotor arm
. condenser
. CB points
. indicator flasher unit
. brake light switches
. fuel pump

with rubber:
. track rod ends
. gaiters
. drop links
. fuel hose
. coolant hoses
. door seals
. header rail seal

others:
. wiper arms
. heater tap/valve

I would review you acquisition process in some detail. Presumably these are imitation spares from non original sources. If they came from a dealer marked as genuine I would be round there sharpish.

[nta16]

Steffan said:

I would review you acquisition process in some detail. Presumably these are imitation spares from non original sources. If they came from a dealer marked as genuine I would be round there sharpish.

good point I should have clarified this - classic car parts

and they've been from many different sources including mainly from reputable main suppliers and I've not experience problems with them all personally (but almost all of them over a time)

Edited by nta16 on Saturday 15th June 14:55

[nta16]

. . added from another poster - starter relays

[LordBretSinclair]

MGB "new" chrome bumpers

[nta16]

LordBretSinclair said:

MGB "new" chrome bumpers

is that recent though?

I think they're probably better now than they use to be but I might be wrong

[LordBretSinclair]

18 months ago.

[nta16]

LordBretSinclair said:

18 months ago.

thanks for your reply

I realise 18 months ago seems like yesterday to an old fella like yourself but I think I'll have recently as this year

if that's the only poor part you've put on in 18 months you've done really well (or fitted no new parts)

[pikeyboy]

Dizzy caps have been a big issue for a lot of people.

[nta16]

boy said:

Dizzy caps have been a big issue for a lot of people.

yes, good one, I'd forgotten that one but is it still a problem now?

[woodytype S]

I rebult my MGA engine l put the strange oil pressure down to a 52 year old gauge.I took the new oil pump one off and replaced with the old one.....no problem very good oil pressure.I hope that the new crap one has not fooked my engine rebuld.

[nta16]

woodytype S said:

I rebult my MGA engine l put the strange oil pressure down to a 52 year old gauge.I took the new oil pump one off and replaced with the old one.....no problem very good oil pressure.I hope that the new crap one has not fooked my engine rebuld.

thanks for that, that's very worrying

did you buy the oil pump this year (after Jan 1st 2013)?

[woodytype S]

nta16 said:

thanks for that, that's very worrying

did you buy the oil pump this year (after Jan 1st 2013)?

I bought the oil pump on the 16/01/12,I am waiting for call from Panks in Norwich.I will keep you informed.Why ask the date ?

[nta16]

woodytype S said:

I bought the oil pump on the 16/01/12,I am waiting for call from Panks in Norwich.I will keep you informed.Why ask the date ?

because if the purchases are from too long ago the suppliers can say that was but now they have different batches/suppliers/manufacturers or amendments have been made

some new parts that were previously a problem are now resolved but unfortunately then other parts prove to be badly made

[ATE399J]

I've had an instrument voltage stabiliser that died after 3 months (an electronic one).

[nta16]

ATE399J said:

I've had an instrument voltage stabiliser that died after 3 months (an electronic one).

that's unusual and interesting, which type was it and did you get it off eBay direct from the maker or through a classic car part supplier?

also was it this year (after 1st Jan 2013)

[terenceb]

Was the Stabiliser properly secured? they do not like vibration,I got through two before I realised what was happening.

[nta16]

terenceb said:

Was the Stabiliser properly secured? they do not like vibration,I got through two before I realised what was happening.

do you mean electronic voltage stabiliser as my electronic stabiliser just hangs off the wires and spade connectors and has been like that for over 4 years and many thousands of miles

[terenceb]

Perhaps I just got unlucky,but seems odd that once cable tied to the loom it was never any more trouble.
Poor quality parts have been around for over twenty years,its just that the quality has gotten worse.

[ATE399J]

The voltage stab was bought from a reputable organisation, I will admit it was tie-wrapped to the bar that goes across under the dash rather than screwed to the bulkhead (agree that may have been a contributing factor to its failure). It was bought either early this year or very late last.

P.