Morris Minor Owners Club

I realise that the Club does not allow critisism of suppliers and for good reason. However recently it has become obvious with leaf springs from some or maybe even all suppliers that there is a serious problem.
Should cases like this not be an exception and should the Club not be doing its best to protect members by bringing our concerns to the notice of the suppliers.

Could you detail, without names, the nature of the problem. Thanks.

The problem is the almost immediate 'flattening' of rear springs especially on 7 leaf Travellers and with regards to todays posts 5 leaf as well

Here's the relevant thread:

http://www.mmoc.org.uk/index.php?name=P ... ic&t=28926

Louise, can you please edit that link to take out the surplus "t" at the begining. Thanks.

Done. Sorry, posted in a hurry during my lunch break!

The trade are well aware of this problem, and I know that Bull Motif have commissioned their own units. We have not had a set from them but are assured of them being' fit for purpose' my words not theirs.
This problem goes across the board into the MG market and other leaf spring suspended cars.
Don't think involving the MMOC (although it seems the 'right' thing to do) will change matters as the trade are already aware, and apart from a watching and informing role the MMOC have no jurisdiction over manufacturers or suppliers.

Although I agree that the MMOC have no jurisdiction over suppliers or manufacturers the Club does represent a considerable proportion of any Minor suppliers customer base.
It is good to hear that the matter is being taken seriously by at least 2 suppliers (BM and yourselves) but it begs the question should it have got to this stage whereby customers like me (who really need a set of springs) are holding off purchasing. Not good for business surely.

Tatally agree Bill ?, but with no 'teeth' there is little if anything that the MMOC can or might wish to do.
BM is the only trader to commission their own springs, we have not done any work with these though.
It is a poor state of affairs I'm afraid , but it seems that all parts (unless produced by dedicated specialists) are going this way, but its largely the buying public who are to blame, as many insist that they buy on price not quality. We are all now facing the problems that this has caused.

Many places will still re-temper your old springs for you - I don't know about costs for this but check your local yellow pages for someone near to you.

Excuse to 5-link the rear beam and fit some turretted coilies?

(yeah yeah, money, cost, blah blah, but you know you want to.lol)

"It's unwise to pay too much, but it's unwise to pay too little.
When you pay too much you lose at little money, that is all.
When you pay too little, you sometimes lose everything because the thing you bought was incapable of doing the thing you bought it to do.
The common law of business prohibits paying a little and getting a lot.
It can't be done.
If you deal with the lowest bidder, it's as well to add something for the risk you run.
And if you do that, you will have enough to pay for something better"
(John Ruskin 1819-1900)

IF we were able to point out the poor service life of items suppied by some traders - then others would know to avoid them!
I suggest anyone considering making a significant purchase, should ask through the Forum for comments - via PMs if necessary - from anyone who has received good or bad service from the proposed supplier. We can't do much else to prevent the ongoing supply of poor quality parts. Hopefully - if the 'Trade' are aware of the problem with these springs - if I was to try to order a pair of rear springs today - they would tell me that the springs they have in stock are unsuitable ?? And pigs may fly!!

How about a product recall for something that has quality issues?

If members were allowed to voice their concerns (possibly to a private part of the site to weed out the simply malicious) and if justified the Club was to issue an advisory regarding a patricular part just how many (eg leaf springs) would they sell. This would force suppliers into ensuring their goods were of "merchandisable quality and fit for purpose" It would also mean that the reliable traders who are supplying good quality products would get more business, possibly at a decent price.

the trouble is at the moment there is only a few suppliers that the traders can go to

and of course there is the problem that if traders do not sell their parts then the suppliers may not supply any more
supply and demand

Bravo,Roy and Billobban
That is the right way

Remember that you have your right to return goods if you can prove that they have not been fit for purpose. This is the best route to take if action is to put pressure on the manufacturers. The suppliers can only sell what is available, at the moment it would seem that either a bad batch or a manufacturer is producing a poor product.
I believe that there are now 3 manufacturers of springs one of which is British, so specify that you want these or the Bully one's.
Regarding naming names , this could land individuals and the club in deep water. which is why the Tanc C's are set as such.
I agree that this allows future customers to fall into the same predicament, but really this forum cannot help stop this happening.
We did start a traders group 3 years ago ( I think) which was intended to bridge the gap between manufacturers, suppliers and customers, but unfortunately this ran out of steam, direction and enthusiasm. I would be lobbying the Club to reinstate this group and put more effort behind it, as I see it as the only way in which both manufacturers/suppliers and garage services can be monitered.

I had springs retempered many years ago, and what a waste of time that was - I then bought new, but they sagged at different rates, so were replaced with a similar result - so it is not a new problem.

Pete

Johnathon the problem is that youve just spent several hours lying on your back battering off your old springs and replacing them only to almost immediatly find you've been sold a pup. The suppliers have obviously known for some considerable time that there is a problem and bar one (as far as we know) have done nothing about it and continue on and on selling a sub standard product. The problem of poor manufacturing is the suppliers not mine as the end user.
Me - I'm simply going to vote with my feet and go to BM