Rubbish rubber.

[stuffedpike20]

Not quite mechanical, but why is rubber so rubbish now?
I bought a new petrol filler pipe hose just over a year ago, and the surface of it already has multiple little cracks.

[Myrtles Man]

Because some (many?) of the 'traditional' components of the mix have been outlawed as a result of health and safety considerations.

[kevin s]

Most of the suspension rubbers were cracked on ours before it ever turned a wheel, roughly 2 years after they were fitted.

I've seen this accross a variety of cars, I've replaced 30 year old parts with new ones which have only lasted a year or 2.

Rubber on modern cars lasts OK it must be the quality of the materials used for repro stuff, polyuerathane seems about the only option for durrable suspension parts now.

[jagnut66]

I have long since given up on rubber repro's because they wear out and fail so quickly.
So I have taken to using green poly, not too hard and much longer lasting (links below).
For hoses I now use silicone and I have sourced E10 resistant fuel hose.
Best wishes,
Mike.

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[stuffedpike20]

Thanks Mike.

[stuffedpike20]

It is a shame because I always thought that part of the 'green' credentials of the Minor was that a lot of it grew on trees.

Rubber bushes, screen rubbers, headlamp gaskets, light bodies (traveller and commercials) etc, etc.
Bits of wood here and there and pressed hardboard parcel shelf and door cards etc, etc.

[Declan_Burns]

Most of the suspension rubbers were cracked on ours before it ever turned a wheel, roughly 2 years after they were fitted.

I've seen this accross a variety of cars, I've replaced 30 year old parts with new ones which have only lasted a year or 2.

Rubber on modern cars lasts OK it must be the quality of the materials used for repro stuff, polyuerathane seems about the only option for durrable suspension parts now.

Kevin,
The reason the suspension rubbers fail prematurely is that they are using the wrong rubber. It is mainly the ozone that causes the cracking. I have had no reported failures on any of the seals that I make. Polyurethane is certainly an option. Viton is probably the best but very pricey.
Regards
Declan