42 replies to this topic

[1984mini25]

The genuine ones I bought from minispares a few months back are branded TRW, they were visibly dusty so probably old stock, I get suspicious when you have two seemingly identical items one costing under £4 the other nearer £15. Would always try to buy genuine if possible particularly with important components such as knuckle joints.

 

I've had a look at the euro car parts ones (£5.39 each) and they just have them down branded as 'aftermarket' witch is really helpful. I might give the other local motorfactors a try and see what make there's are and go from there. As its pretty much impossible to tell whether the rubber components are genuine or not just from pics (could be 'cheap' ones knocked off as genuine), or in a few months time when they have turned to dust.

[Spiffingly Good]

I've got the same dilemma, in the middle of a restoration and don't want to have to replace rubber components before I even hit the road.  I'm giving Delphi branded knuckle joints a go, there was some discussion on this site saying delphi are similar to oem spec.  The knuckle joint is TC30.

 

http://www.ebay.co.u...D-/310086210022

 

 

I've just purchased 2, so time will tell.

 

 

Edit

 

This is the topic I was referring too.

 

http://www.theminifo...30#entry3404619

Edited by Spiffingly Good, 03 August 2016 - 09:37 PM.

[Italianjob]

It's safe to say the minispares ones and the ones I bought from euro car parts back in may have both started to split already. That's a mere 4 months, looks like I'll be doing them again come the mot in May. If anyone does find some decent ones that actually last, please post it as this is just ridiculous.

[1984mini25]

If anyone does find some decent ones that actually last, please post it as this is just ridiculous.

 

Unfortunately the only way I see this farce ending with the crap quality rubber parts is. Either the mini suppliers stop selling crap or sales take a hit with people avoiding and going elsewhere for parts that actually last, once a good source/supplier is found.

[azwalker]

Mine from minispares lasted about how 6 months, they've just sent free replacements and want the old ones back to send to their supplier. They said they've had a number of complaints about their rubber parts, I've had a petrol cap last about 6 months from them too. I guess we just keep complaining to them and get free replacements until they do something about it!

[MikeRotherham]

Mine from minispares lasted about how 6 months, they've just sent free replacements and want the old ones back to send to their supplier. They said they've had a number of complaints about their rubber parts, I've had a petrol cap last about 6 months from them too. I guess we just keep complaining to them and get free replacements until they do something about it!

That's what we have to do.

 

So the suppliers know the scale of the problem and we can get hopefully get something that is up to the job.

 

Perhaps, if they get enough hassle from us they'll sort the problem once and for all

[tiger99]

This is an annoying problem, worsened by people with no credible QA system who are content to take your money for goods which come from some undisclosed source. If they were practising even very basic QA, they would disclose exactly what you are getting.

I fail to understand why rubber is necessary here. There is no rotational movement and the angular movement is not huge, so something like PVC should be adequate, and longer lasting. It may need assistance from a spring of the type used in oil seals to keep it in place. There are manufacturers of gaiters and such like in the UK (try Googling!) and it may be that one of their existing parts might fit, or they may be persuaded to make a special if they quantity is right (meaning that ALL Mini suppliers may need to cooperate).

The ball pin and nylon cup don't seem to have problems. These are good for about 40k miles if the rubber boot remains intact.

[1984mini25]

Well I replaced the front knuckle joints on the mini nearly (give or take 4 days) 4 months ago now.

 

The new, bought from a local motor factors (who don't/won't sell unbranded parts) for £6.55, £13.10 the pair.

 

 

 

And the old unbranded,  widely available from all mini 'specialists' ones that needed replacing.

 

 

 

The 'machining' also left a lot to be desired, with groves that could be easily felt with a fingernail.

 

 

 

And the 4 month old Delphi replacements, as of today. Apart from a bit of dirt, the rubbers are as good as the day they were fitted.

 

 

 

So just goes to show, if you want rubber components that do not disintegrate within weeks, DON'T buy them from  a mini specialist.

Edited by 1984mini25, 20 December 2016 - 01:21 PM.

[Northernpower]

I bought Delphi knuckle joints from a local factor and the rubber is just as good as when I bought them.

[cal844]

I will only buy Delphi parts if they have rubber on them....

[lawrence]

Cheers for the comparison 1984, I'm doing a trial on my car using brake slave cylinder rubbers as ball joint dust covers on the near side front for my car. With a bit of trimming they fit nicely and my theory was that the rubber has to be good quality to resist the harsh brake fluid environment. Time will tell

[mikal]

Slightly off topic. When in the UK I bought 2 body to fuel tank filler rubber seals (somewhere in Potters Bar?). 

2 years later the 49 year old original one looks in better nick and the new ones have become water soluble! When I wash the car, black liquid runs off the rubbers! What the hell....?!

[mina08]

mine have been on since it rolled of the line in 1992, still in good condition

[minimat]

Firstline rubber parts seem to last well too, certanly the cv boot i fitted to my girlfriends old polo looked like it was going to last longer than the amk one i fitted to the other side and was cracking after a year while the older firstline one still looked good  i'm not sure if they make knucle joints though but they make a lot of rubber parts for varous cars and are availabe in motor factors.

[tiger99]

Just so you know, Delphi are a very large organisation, actually an amalgamation of parts of many well-known outfits (Lucas, Delco....) worldwide, which makes mainstream parts of high precision such as fuel injection systems, and it would be surprising if any of their products were of poor quality. I don't know which of their factories makes the knuckle joints.

 

I am at the moment a contractor working for Delphi on engine management computers and they do have a comprehensive quality control system throughout the organisation. I don't earn any commission from selling their products, or discount for buying them, but what I have seen has made it clear to me where I will be going for such Mini spares as they still make.