shortage of parts

Post by **aupickup** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 9:24 pm

agrees with moggytech

but are teh big companies really bothered, i approached one about exhausts not fitting, just one gripe and got told, we have 1000`s of lines so do not have the time to do anything, but they gave me a refund instead

we all know about the poor quality and fit of some parts which is a pain

but here we are talking about a needed mechanical part, without, our moggies do not run

we can get buy with filling a wing

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 9:29 pm

Of course -we could all convert to coil spring suspension using MacPherson struts and eliminate the swivels ! Has anyone done this ? Am I right in thinking the JLH coil spring conversion still uses the swivel pin ??

Post by **aupickup** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 9:31 pm

good idea

i think the jlh does use the swivel pin

Post by **jonathon** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 9:40 pm

It does Bm, we were looking at double wishbone a while backand almost went into production, but we have decided to put a hold on developments for the Minor, as we feel the need to venture into new areas where we have full control on every aspect of car production.
I think the swivel pin issue will be 'okay' once production is available, I cannot say how many sets will be forthcoming but I will do some research tomorow.

Post by **Kevin** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 9:49 pm

well its a shame the mmoc can not step in and make investments to look after the morris minor in years to come
or maybe its not the clubs aim to do this

Shame you didn't go to either of the last 2 AGM`s where the problem of gearbox spares has been mentioned by the commitee and the problems of trying to resolving it.
Have you ever written in or emailed the MMOC HQ with your concerns because these types of concerns can be bought up by individual members and is what the club is all about.

Post by **aupickup** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 9:53 pm

well its ok for guys that live closer to go
sory i do not attend, but that is my perrogertive to choose whether i go or not
and no one else

Post by **jonathon** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 10:02 pm

Kevin, has this subject of the g/box AGM discussion been printed in M Matters, I know I get it, but cannot remember. Might be an idea if the mag went pro active in terms of asking for input for difficult to get parts or problems with products. (no I will not be writing in with the suggestion)

Post by **aupickup** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 10:15 pm

sorry but i am not that good with all the red tape of committees
we all know the issues involved, but i am afraid it seems like the mafia

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 10:23 pm

If suitable new input shaft/gear could be produced - can Mini gears not be used throughout the rest of the box ?

Post by **Kevin** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 11:24 pm

well its ok for guys that live closer to go
sory i do not attend, but that is my perrogertive to choose whether i go or not
and no one else

Thats why I asked if you have ever contacted the club by sending a letter or emailing them.

sorry but i am not that good with all the red tape of committees

I'm sorry but I don't see how that affects sending an email or letter to the MMOC commitee explaining your concerns as its every members right to have a proposal put forward and if you don't let them know of your feelings they can't discuss them, they are after all members just like the rest of us.

Kevin, has this subject of the g/box AGM discussion been printed in M Matters, I know I get it, but cannot remember.

Neither can I Jonathon, but it might have been I will have to see if I can find anything.

Post by **minor_hickup** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 11:27 pm

Jonathon the matter of the gearbox spares has been brought up before in Minor Matters, I don't have any copies to hand but it was probably midway through last year. Also if there is a supply issue with king pins does this mean no more MOWOG items? I was hoping to get a set for my current minor once I'd sorted other problems (suprisingly its mainly rust). Double wishbones sounds excellent!

I fear the parts situation will get worse. For those who use their cars everyday its so frustrating to change a brake light switch every 2,000 miles, then have to replace an exhaust twice when it needs replacing because the first item would not fit! Surely this is only going to get worse if parts manufacturers start creating strong monopolies.

Post by **jonathon** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 11:44 pm

I seem to remember something ,but couldn't be specific. Thanks for confirming the fact though.
The believe that the swivel pins will have been made from the original MOWOG patterns or castings, but I will need to be sure of this before saying more on the matter, so again I'll investigate tomorrow.
As I think I have mentioned before ,re spares the cost to produce even the smallest item can prohibitive as a commercial venture. We were quoted between 30-40 K to make boot lid tooling. Even some of the small rubber dash buffers cost around 2K to tool up for, and if these sell for pence at a time who in their right mind will invest in it. Even the big guy's Bully ESM, MGM, C Ware cannot dictate to the manufacturers, we are simply provided with what 'they' are prepared to make. The exceptions are for small runs ie Bully's new rubber parts ESM's rear chassis legs, our modifications etc. I do hope its not all 'doom and gloom' but as a company restoring Minors we are becoming very aware that the ability to create a perfect job from the parts now available is nigh on impossible, hence our slight shifting away from the original Minor and the shortfalls now associated with its parts supply and quality.

Post by **FrankM83** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 12:22 am

after reading all this it seems the Morris Minor will not last long on the roads and will not have the reputation of being s cheap and easy to maintain classic, I think something needs to be done, maybe a petition? maybe stupid but don't know or any idea how to even push more the suppliers to make better parts!

regarding what johnatan said, does this mean that petrol tanks and rads are also parts which will be no longer available?

Post by **LouiseM** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 6:52 am

The (unconfirmed) minutes of the AGM on page 10 of current minor matters refer to the gearbox problem, brought forward from the 2006 AGM, but don't really clarify the current position.

Discussions are still ongoing into the arbitration scheme and approved traders scheme but:

"The gearbox situation was more complicated in that there were quotations from 3 companies to be considered"

Post by **jonathon** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 7:41 am

Frank, the std fual tanks are available, its only the larger ones that we need to trace and ensure further production. The radiators I mentioned were not Minor ones so there should not be a problem here. I do agree and have felt this for about 5 years that the situation was becoming worrying.
Thanks Louise for the info, its vitally important that the AGM discussions are printed to allow those who are unable or wish not to attend, to keep up with the major changes or decisions made with the MMOC. It was voiced a few years ago that the minutes be posted on the site, but I don't think a final decision was made on this.
I do feel that the MMOC should work closely with the trade if they are to venture into the spares market, I would also say this with regard to the 'arbitration' scheme.

Post by **paulhumphries** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 8:07 am

bmcecosse wrote:Of course -we could all convert to coil spring suspension using MacPherson struts and eliminate the swivels ! Has anyone done this ? Am I right in thinking the JLH coil spring conversion still uses the swivel pin ??

This goes back to one of my threads ages ago.
If original uprights need manufacturing from scratch why not somehow modify originals, with worn threads, to take proper ball joints ?
Dosen't solve the shortage of parts for people who want to stay standard but might be a way of the supension "evolving".

Paul Humphries

Post by **FrankM83** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 9:05 am

very through Paul!! sometimes evolving is a good solution in Malta I heard people fitting Isuzu Gemini ball joints for these not to wear

about AGM as far as I wish to attend, would be rather expensive for me to fly to the UK for the AGM so printing on Minor Matters would be good for us, also regarding parts and support again if there was a way for me as an overseas member to give suport I'd gladly give it!

Post by **jonathon** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 9:19 am

There is no issue re tooling of swivel pins it just the will to actually produce them. Don't panic yet. Will post update asap today.

Post by **minor_hickup** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 12:36 pm

I hope its not all doom and gloom. Perhaps we've been spoiled by excellent spares availability. My two brothers drive a BMW 2000 and a 2002. Some spares and panels are really very rare, all are expensive! Anyone fancy paying £600 for a used bootlid?

Post by **MoggyTech** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 1:21 pm

Update (After Phoning a major supplier)

DON'T PANIC

The Swivel Pins are cast in France and Machined in the UK. The hold up would appear to be at the French end.

Another thing to consider is stock levels reflect money sitting on shelves for the dealers, and that's money losing value due to inflation, when it could be earning interest in a bank account. So it is unlikely that dealers will hold massive stock levels. So if they get a sudden rush for one part, bingo, you get a shortage.

The Moggy is perhaps the most common classic on the roads, and IMO solutions will always defeat problems. Too many people supply parts and resto services for our cars, and I am sure they will do what it takes to survive.

Think positive (also applies to negative earth cars

)