How long should it last

[JOWETTJAVELIN]

Rubber naturally deteriorates over time. That is a FACT. This wear is accelerated by the Sun, oil and grease, cornering and braking.

I am not a tyre expert but I am certainly not stupid enough to put 'originality' over my own and others' safety.

You give me one good reason for keeping these old tyres on the car.

[rogerowen]

Rubber naturally deteriorates over time. That is a FACT. This wear is accelerated by the Sun, oil and grease, cornering and braking.

I am not a tyre expert but I am certainly not stupid enough to put 'originality' over my own and others' safety.

You give me one good reason for keeping these old tyres on the car.

You are welcome to your own opinion, albeit rather rudely delivered. It's nothing to do with 'originality', it's to do with quality. I've seen high speed blow-outs on recently purchased tyres due to poor material currently being used. I believe even Formula One racing have recently experienced this problem.

[les]

I think there is a code on tyres that verifies the date of manufacture, implying they have an expiry time. In the back of my mind 7 years comes to mind.

[rogerowen]

Modern rubber is far inferior to older rubber, FACT. The modern stuff degrades at a much higher rate, water hoses being a good example - whilst another is replacement brake seals. Unfortunately, there seems to be poor testing carried out on new materials. I recently restored a 1963 motorcycle and replaced the tyres as a matter of course - however the old Donlop tyres appeared to be in excellent condition.

[les]

We need a tyre expert to give us an insight, rather than a tyre fitter. I've got quite old tyres which look ok but as for the condition of the compound I cant tell. The look maybe giving me a false sense of security. I'm wondering what other reason there could be for the manufacturing date.

[rogerowen]

We need a tyre expert to give us an insight, rather than a tyre fitter. I've got quite old tyres which look ok but as for the condition of the compound I cant tell. The look maybe giving me a false sense of security. I'm wondering what other reason there could be for the manufacturing date.

The 'expert' who checks tyres for me owns his business and has done so for many years, the MOT testers who pass the tyres are also an experts in their field. They are professionals - and I therefore respect their professional evaluation over un-informed opinion and speculation. If there is a 'use-by' date - this surely would be implemented at the MOT stage.

[les]

In the absence of a tyre specialist joining this thread, I checked a few leads out and found a statement from the British rubber manufacturers assoc from June 2001-----'The brma members strongly recommend that unused tyres should not be put into service if they are over 6 years old, and all tyres should be replaced 10years from the date of manufacture'. Whether or not we all do this is doubtful but would imagine these people could pull rank over other opinions!

[rogerowen]

In the absence of a tyre specialist joining this thread, I checked a few leads out and found a statement from the British rubber manufacturers assoc from June 2001-----'The brma members strongly recommend that unused tyres should not be put into service if they are over 6 years old, and all tyres should be replaced 10years from the date of manufacture'. Whether or not we all do this is doubtful but would imagine these people could pull rank over other opinions!

It's a trade association. Think we are in danger of going 'off thread' here. The original question is about how long things last - with a reference to new parts not lasting as long as older parts. My comment about old tyres lasting longer than new ones was a statement of fact - not an opinion. In no way am I encouraging people to dig out some old discarded tyres and start using them again, I am merely observing the a fact that I feel represents the degrading of material quality of newly manufactured parts.

[les]

Yes agree about going 'off thread', lets also agree to differ on some 'facts'

[rogerowen]

Yes agree about going 'off thread', lets also agree to differ on some 'facts'

Can't argue with that

[bmcecosse]

I'm sure the sidewalls etc still look fine - but I can vouch for the very limited wet road grip on older tyres....... The rubber goes 'hard' and just doesn't make it on a wet surface...... Mine are fine in the dry , but the shockingly poor wet grip is one reason I am loath to take the car out in wet weather..... And this is not anything that is checked etc at the MOT.....

[rogerowen]

Water Hoses - about 18 months. Just gave Marmaduke (Daughter No 1's Moggie) a quick look over, and all the then new Kevlar hoses I fitted have started to split at the junction points. Petrol hoses - ditto. The only hoses that look OK are the heater hoses which I did'nt need to replace at the time of restoration - I've no idea how old those ones are.

[smithskids]

Several people I spoke to at Gaydon had cracked water hoses on their vans and all said they hadn't been on a long time.

[rogerowen]

Several people I spoke to at Gaydon had cracked water hoses on their vans and all said they hadn't been on a long time.

I wonder if it's possible to obtain longer lasting ones. My heater hoses which look perfect have Quinton Hazel printed on them.

[les]

Anyone have the feeling that restoration is getting to be hard work rather than a pleasure? Maybe it's a conspiracy to get us all into modern vehicles. Much more of this news and it might work! Even maintaining is getting difficult. Do new cars have their components last for such a short time?

[rogerowen]

Anyone have the feeling that restoration is getting to be hard work rather than a pleasure? Maybe it's a conspiracy to get us all into modern vehicles. Much more of this news and it might work! Even maintaining is getting difficult. Do new cars have their components last for such a short time?

Les, you have a very good point. We should not have to put up with inferior quality goods. I think we have now identified a major issue facing those who wish to restore - or even just maintain an older car. It's nothing wrong with the car - it's purely the poor quality of the base materials being used in maufacture of replacement parts. the big problem we face is deciding whether more expensive parts are going to be better quality. I currently need to replace a Land Rover Discovery water pump and drive belt (both failed after 18 months service. I can buy aftermarket parts for a fifth of the price of 'so-called' genuine parts. Question A - are they any better? B - do I have a real guarantee that they are better? C - will they last 5 times longer. I'm afraid it's a bit of a no-brainer, which is why we plod on replacing stuff left right and centre. Is there any pressure on manufacturers to assure better quality? Are suppliers willing to set some method of standard checking (actually following feedback from disgruntled customers)? Do pigs fly?

Rubber parts are possibly the worst offenders - and to get really anorakie about it I found a report that seems to imply that there is a range of quality levels of base rubber material and its production. It would be interesting to see what the rubber trade has to say about the problems we are facing.

Should we start a petition? - or, just carry on grumbling? Moan, moan, moan!

[rogerowen]

Rubber quality report;

http://www.mmoc.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f= ... 83#p490083

[smithskids]

I must admit I buy all my hose material from a industrial supplier in Hull and have had no problems so far.The top radiator hose on my morris 8 was on the car when I bought it in 1970, granted its a bit stiff but it doesn't leak and shows no signs of cracking yet

[rogerowen]

I must admit I buy all my hose material from a industrial supplier in Hull and have had no problems so far.The top radiator hose on my morris 8 was on the car when I bought it in 1970, granted its a bit stiff but it doesn't leak and shows no signs of cracking yet

That's a good tip. A specialist supplier has a certain reputation to protect. There is a Morris parts supplier that I've used for several years that will often offer quality/price ranges on some items - although most other outlets have only one offering, usually the cheapest one.

[MarkyB]

If you have praise for a parts supplier there is no problem sharing it.
It's just the brickbats that aren't allowed