Page 1 of 1
Rubbish rubber.
Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2020 7:33 pm
by 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.
Re: Rubbish rubber.
Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2020 9:10 pm
by Myrtles Man
Because some (many?) of the 'traditional' components of the mix have been outlawed as a result of health and safety considerations.
Re: Rubbish rubber.
Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2020 11:02 pm
by 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.
Re: Rubbish rubber.
Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2020 11:53 pm
by 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.
https://www.googleadservices.com/pagead ... BBQ&adurl=
https://www.googleadservices.com/pagead ... zAQ&adurl=
https://www.googleadservices.com/pagead ... xA3&adurl=
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=htt ... egUIARC4Ag
Re: Rubbish rubber.
Posted: Sat Jul 04, 2020 6:07 am
by stuffedpike20
Thanks Mike.
Re: Rubbish rubber.
Posted: Sat Jul 04, 2020 7:29 am
by 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.
Re: Rubbish rubber.
Posted: Mon Jul 06, 2020 3:00 pm
by Declan_Burns
kevin s wrote: ↑Fri Jul 03, 2020 11:02 pm
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