Morris Minor Owners Club

Okay , we have all been subjected to poor chrome, electrical,mechanical and body panels at some time in the last few years. This problem is quickly getting worse and I feel may cause problems for future restorers both DIY and Pro.

The MMOC working group are charged with trying to find out what parts you have had issues with. Hopefully, if we have a good enough response from you then we can compile a list that can be used to try and eliminate the issues, or at least bring to the attention of both general suppliers and more importantly the actual manufacturers that we are unhappy with some products.

Pros in doing this , we get better parts, that last a reasonable time and panels that fit. We pay higher prices for 'better' parts

Cons, they do not listen and ignore our appeals of stop production altogether. We pay higher prices for 'better 'products. We pay higher prices for the same parts badged as better ones.

I feel that this issue is vitally important to the longevity of our favored classic and as such the MMOC itself.
Please do contribute to this appeal no matter how insignificant your gripe. Please do not name company names as this could be counter productive.

We do not yet have a date for the next Working group meeting, but it would be great to have at least some input to use when it is arranged. Better still attend the meetings, the aims of the group could revolutionize the Minor after market scene of which you are all members.

Please keep your contributions short and to the point for easy compilation.

For example

Part Top chrome, problem mounting studs incorrectly spaced, poor chrome etc etc

I thank you in advance of your contributions.

My main problem recently has been with mild steel 1 piece exhausts that have fractured around the manifold flare within 600 miles. 3 have gone in this way.
Late heater taps also seem to be a problem, not closing or opening fully. Cheers Neil.

Pick-up floors that are wildly wrongly sized with bolt holes in the wrong place.
Grille top bar and hockey sticks - worthless chrome
Big end cap bolts apparently made from Edam
Wrongly sized poly bushes - tie bar and front rear spring mount (LCV)

I'm quite sure more will come to mind...
a

HI my main problem has been front wings (H) not fitting properly, wiring looms incorrectly coloured, S/S exhaust not closing well with manifold

Frank

Frank could you say which wings, just put 'H' for Heritage or P for LMC


Cheers, thanks so far for the contributions, lets see how many we get by the end of the evening .

A and B posts repair panels being a poor fit, particularly the B posts. The A post didn't line up on the datum points, and have an unneccesary bend along the mounting flange. B posts were poorly made, and a lousy fit, needing sectioning along the centre to get near.

Dean do you know who's panels they were, PM me pleas if the above codes are not applicable. Cheers

Don't forget 'rubber' items Jonathon.

Spring hanger on plate incorrectly assembled - holes not lined up. Pin would not fit without work to "open it up". These were P.

Rotor arms too tight a fit, causing them to crack. Points heel made of a seemingly soft plastic which wears rapidly.

ill fitting wings head light does not fit in the wing probably F also chrome overider went rusty after 6 months

Hum, missed out the C.Ware panels, lets use 'F' for these.

Please do prefix if known

stainless steel exhausts not exiting the engine bay floor at the right angle
front wings
chrome parts not fitting and pitting after a few months in the winter
hand brake cables breaking
front panels a bad fit

Top chrome, problem mounting studs incorrectly spaced, poor chrome, rust appearing where stud are, small fractures in chrome. 2 WEEKS AFTER FITTING!

James

so i guess the burning question is, can anything be done

well if we have a good enough response here than we at least stand a chance of letting the manufacturers know our feelings, and hopefully they will improve the product. Without specific information we have no chance at all. We have had a great responce so far ,but I must ask you to prefix your parts with 'H' for Heritage or 'P' for LMC and 'F' for C.Ware (Srilanka)

What would be great if there was some sponsor to help the companies improve or mayb an alternative company ready to produce these parts!!

I think that if panels were improved and the cost adjusted to reflect the investment by the manufacturer, then this would negate the need for any sponsorship.
I'll have a chat with Frontline Costello about their repro parts, but significant financial investment will be required.
Probably best to try and improve what is already produced.
We are fortunate enough for several Minor specialists who have invested heavily in the production of 'good' parts however this is still only scratching the surface.

Brake light switches failing after a few month.

Grill surround chrome poor quality

H Front wings not fitting correctly

Stainless exhaust 2 piece system, incorrect bend on downpipe giving little or no clearance to bulkhead opening. Also extremely loud, suggests incorrect baffle fitting.

Bonnet/Boot hinges, poor chrome (pits in months)

ok so who suppliysthe good parts, pm me if u can not name them on here, which of course we should be able to do