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MG MGA - Moss Rubber Parts

Is it just me or is there something wrong with the rubber Moss uses? I'm in the middle of a frame off restoration and have gone though and replaced all the rubber front suspension bits. Two months later and all the rubber replacement parts are cracking up. Would have been better off to have have left the old stuff on.

Anyone out there have a better source or a solution/trick that I have missed?

Thanks,

Bill Mc D
Bill Mc Daniel

Hi Bill. Seems there have been numerous complaints in the last few years regarding Moss Motors rubber parts. You might want to try a different supplier such as Scarborough Faire or Victoria British. Glenn
Glenn

Bill-
Ypu are not imagining things...Moss rubber is notoriously bad...within one year, most of the rubber bits deteriorated, and this is a car always garaged and never driven in winter since redo. I read that the imported rubber has an inferior manufacturing process, something to do with too much or not enough of a particular substance used in the process... kaolin (clay) maybe?I don't exactly recall now so I won't say. The rubber plinths under the taillights, the windshield stanchion seals are terrible..When the seal that seals the vertical winshield post to body failed within one season (cracked,split), I used a black silicone sealant to glaze over the seal, thus avoiding the unpleasant task of removing windshield...I gently lifted and placed a thin rigid plastic under the seal and ,using my finger , proceeded to coat the seal.. then remoce protective plastic when everything cures..It has held up now for a few years..Taillight plinths are another story...I pick up used ones at Stowe, or other Brit flea markets...a little fine steel wool work with a solvent usually brings the back..Then coat with Armorall...Old rubber is good quality. Macgregors in Dundas,Ontario handles great rubber/trim products for most Brit cars...not cheap but all is manufactured in house with top quality and CORRECT composition and fit.. and great to deal with..Most of the rubber stuff from Moss ,Vic Brit, is all coming from the same place Taiwan, and most of the stuff is Sh-- My newly restored 63 XKE already has the door seals cracking, and they were from a reputable Jag rest supply..I am going to replace them with Macgregor stuff eventually, again ,garaged and driven @3000 miles in summer same with sheetmetal, made in Taiwan, I hoard fenders, bonnets,doors and boots! Hope this helps ,but by using Taiwan rubber, you are dead in the water,before you start..There are still suppliers out there with old stocks of Brit parts..Chris Hollum Imports in Montreal 514-639-4639 handles exclusively authorized new or NOS parts, ..If you think the body seals are a joke, wait until you install an engine seal, e.g. timing cover...mine failed within 2 years..I replaced with Chris's BL Uk seal for the same price.. If you look at Barney Gaylord's site "MG with an attitude," he has a section that deals with inferior parts..Moss will tell you that they are trying to rectify quality control issues, but ,in my opinion, as long as they are made in Taiwan, that will always be suspect. They have supposedly rectified the O-ring rear axle problem with proper fitting rings, but again, what is the composition of the rubber? Same with float bowl rubber seals on H-4's.. I'm told that they have been recalled and replacement improvements are available...mine failed within 6 months...switched to HS-4 carbs on my 58 roadster. I got an original set of float seals for my 59 MGA race car, and they are still not leaking...go figure. We, as consumers are caught in the middle
All the best,
John
John Coryea

John,

Thanks for the info. Do you have any contact info for Macgregors in Dundas, Ontario?

Thanks,

Bill McD
Bill Mc Daniel

As John mentioned, go to Barney's site mgaguru.com and read through the faulty parts section. In there it specifically mentions the swivel pin seals as being deficient. Luckily I read it before I did my front end. I tried soaking the one of the Moss seals in oil for a few days and the thing swelled up to twice the size. I contacted Moss and 10 emails and phone conversations later I got them to send me out a new suspension kit which I hope will last a bit longer. As far as the wishbone bushings why bother with the old style, use either the V8 bushings or go with polyurethane if you want it to last.
It is a rather sad state of affairs that some of these supply houses don't check the fit and durability of the products that they sell. Ultimately, it represents the respectability of their company and I cannot for the life of me understand how they can't see how it has long term implications on their business. But that of course has been the subject of other threads to numerous to mention.
Ken

MacGregors website is http://www.macgregorukcarparts.com/ and I do not know why this did not come up as a "hot link". MacGregors has had an excellent reputation in the MG field for quite a number of years. However, I have not used them recently. Les
Les Bengtson

addendum-
Forget the rubber susp bushings, they will perish quickly..for street use Prothane front and while you're at it check the condition of therubber in the rear spring eyes and spring perches..Prothane them as well.. it will really tighten your rear ( your car's rear)Moss sells them and they're great(not all of their stuff is bad!)don't forget the lube that goes with them. The v-8 bushings are ok and cheaper. I use Delrin in the racecar, a little harsh for the street.Yes, Barney is da man..I've never met him, but his site is wonderful.
All the best,
JC
John Coryea

Thanks to all who shared their "two cents worth". Got a couple of leads to follow up on now....Some day the old 1600 will see the road again!! Just wish I didn't have to do a job twice. Seems a shame that one has to put in all that time and effort only to have poor quality parts muck up the job.

Thanks again,

Bill Mc D
Bill Mc Daniel

A happy update. Talked with Moss Motors about this. After verifing that I had indeed purchased the deffective parts from them, Moss agreed to send out corrected replacements, free of charge. I still have to do the job twice, can't speak to the durability of the replacements, but at least Moss stands by their product and their customer service is top notch. I'll still be purchasing parts from them in the future.
Bill Mc Daniel

Bill,
Please let us know how it turns out, especially since I am going to be doing a couple of these, I would appreciate it.
mike parker

Will do, though at the rate I'm doing this rebuild it will be awhile before the rubber hits the road.
Bill Mc Daniel

This thread was discussed between 23/01/2005 and 26/01/2005

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