Manufacture of new Swivel Pins

Post by **Dean** » Thu Feb 12, 2009 1:00 pm

bmcecosse wrote:Folks can't be too desperate for king pins - aset on ebay earlier this evening complete with the useful 8" drum brakes - didn't get a single bid! http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... :IT&ih=022
Ok - they weren't new - but would surely have done a turn ?

Maybe (I could be wrong of course) moggy owners don't like buying from people who are breaking cars for profit?

Post by **bmcecosse** » Thu Feb 12, 2009 2:20 pm

If it's the only source of parts - and the price wasn't excessive considering the big brakes are included! Some Minors are just too far gone to save - nothing wrong with re-using the parts!Would you rather they just went for scrap value ??

Post by **Pyoor_Kate** » Thu Feb 12, 2009 3:59 pm

*sighs*

Well, there were quite a few jobs to do on Rebecca. I wonder if the swivel pins will be available by the time I've finished them...

...goes out to top up oil in the DAF that's going to be getting a lot more use.

Post by **aupickup** » Thu Feb 12, 2009 6:19 pm

and a new pair on ebay fetched £185.00

Post by **minor_hickup** » Thu Feb 12, 2009 10:23 pm

Judge wrote:Got any for a Series MM as well?

Early king pins are still about. I'm sure I've seen some advertised in the club mag. Of course these are no good later cars (post '54).

As for king pins, who in their right mind is going to stump up tens of thousands to produce kinpins when new ones are bing promised, and will probably be cheaper when (if?) they are produced. I think we're all going to have to sit tight on this one.

Besides if they don't get produced it could be an excuse to modify...HA Viva front clip, Jag IRS and big V8 anyone?!

Post by **leyther8008** » Fri Feb 13, 2009 8:02 am

I bet HA front clips are as rare as swivel pins these days.

Post by **minor_hickup** » Fri Feb 13, 2009 9:13 am

Probably! and that V8 would be a bit juicy.

Post by **ssnjimb** » Sat Feb 14, 2009 7:47 pm

Hi

I will gladly put money in a pot to go towards a batch of king pins to be made for our minors.

How much would it cost.

James

Post by **Judge** » Sat Feb 14, 2009 8:20 pm

Sorry if I'm wrong, but I thought that this was one of the reasons for having an owners club??

If not, what is the point?

Post by **ssnjimb** » Sat Feb 14, 2009 8:24 pm

Well that is correct but correct me if iam wrong didnt they say they didnt have the money or resources ?

James

Post by **Judge** » Sat Feb 14, 2009 8:28 pm

But why not? OK, dropping membership, but what are they doing to address this?

Post by **ssnjimb** » Sat Feb 14, 2009 9:03 pm

Hi

I would gladly pay more for my subscription etc so that i can guarantee a good supply of parts.

James

Post by **jonathon** » Sat Feb 14, 2009 9:11 pm

ssnjimb wrote:Well that is correct but correct me if iam wrong didnt they say they didnt have the money or resources ?

James

But there is over £250,000 in the bank !!

Post by **ssnjimb** » Sat Feb 14, 2009 9:14 pm

Here are my points for making new kingpins

1. If we run out of kingpins our treasured morris minors will cease to operate come mot time

2. There will be no morris minors on the road ever again

3 is this a set up to kill off morris minors

James

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sat Feb 14, 2009 9:31 pm

It's just a supply/cost problem. You can always go and have some machined from say EN24 steel - but it will cost !!!! Meantime - there is a process where the old king-pins can be 'reconditioned' - I think through the Club - and that should keep your car going for a few years! Just grease them often.

Post by **jonathon** » Sat Feb 14, 2009 9:34 pm

Agree with your points except for No 3. This thread has raised most of the pros and cons of the MMOC becoming involved in manufacture.
The trade/specialists have and do a great job in making sure that Minor owners have both std and modified parts to maintain and restore their cars.
This is a delicate balance for us as we invest substantial time and funds into this parts production with profits /costs only achieved over the long, rather than short term. If the MMOC decide to enter parts supply then not only will this upset this delicate balance but will create doubt as to whether its worth individuals investing when the MMOC might set up a rival service.
The MMOC is slightly different to some large clubs in that it does not commission parts manufacture on a large scale unlike the MGOC and Mini owners Club. Far better that the MMOC stick to what they do now, and hopefully do it better in the future, otherwise it might well, spell the demise of the Minor.
This is probably the first instance of a manufacturer having severe problems with a specific product. It would be very unseemly that having suffered the indignity and financial penalty of a commissioned company letting them down , that they then find that another company has produced a similar part ,which now deprives him of his return and income. This may determine that he no longer invests in both this and maybe other items that are in his repertoire.
Its painfull I know, but lets give them some credit in the fact that they have been able to re commission, from a manufacturer who might already have had a full order book. Its just taking a long time to see the final product.

Post by **ssnjimb** » Sat Feb 14, 2009 9:38 pm

I like that idea.

If the a load of king pins can be reconditioned then that would save money in getting them replaced

Can some ideas be put forward to the club board

James

Post by **jonathon** » Sat Feb 14, 2009 9:47 pm

There is no' load of kingpins' unless these are given in on an exchange basis. Several companies were offering this reconditioning to the Minor specialists but have recently withdrawn due to the costs.
The MMOC undercut units are sort of ok but reducing the material on this crucial area is not good policy, especially if you are an enthisiastic driver, or do not maintain your kinpins regulary.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sat Feb 14, 2009 9:50 pm

Yes - not everyone thinks the 'reconditioned' swivelpins are as good as new ones ! And it's not cheap either - but the new ones when (if!) they arrive will not be cheap either - but at least they should have the full strength of original new parts.

Post by **Judge** » Sat Feb 14, 2009 10:13 pm

jonathon wrote: Far better that the MMOC stick to what they do now, and hopefully do it better in the future, otherwise it might well, spell the demise of the Minor.

Possibly, but if nothing is done it will definitely spell the demise of the Minor.