You thought 75/ZT drop links were bad...

[EastPete]

Here are two pictures of failed rear drop links from MGBs - one of them after only 9 miles driving. Some suppliers sell these for only 8 pounds each so we can't expect any sort of quality control can we ?

Perhaps it is time to give up on car restoration and buy a Honda Jazz (but that would be giving up on life completely, wouldn't' it ?).
Pete

[Mike Trident]

If the price sounds too good to be true, it usually is.

[SCP440]

I have recently have done some work on a Fiesta that included drop links, the new ones lasted a few weeks until they were as bad as the ones I junked. I asked the supplier if there was a better quality item and he supplied some H/D versions. The surprise to me was they were only 0.80p more.

Well worth asking the question.

Most people ask for the cheapest, its about time we all started asking for the best or the ones with the longest warranty.

[Rich in Vancouver]

It's a common problem.
There are companies that make beautifully machined versions to upgrade the MGF drop links.

[EastPete]

Originally Posted by SCP440

I have recently have done some work on a Fiesta that included drop links, the new ones lasted a few weeks until they were as bad as the ones I junked. I asked the supplier if there was a better quality item and he supplied some H/D versions. The surprise to me was they were only 0.80p more.

Well worth asking the question.

Most people ask for the cheapest, its about time we all started asking for the best or the ones with the longest warranty.

The problem with MGBs is that all the parts suppliers are selling the same junk from China, just at slightly differing prices - there are no 'higher quality' items available.

Pete

[Typhoon190]

It amuses me that sellers name parts HD or heavy duty. It's not as if they come anywhere near to the standard duty ones fitted at the factory.

In my opinion, anything not lasting 12 months should be returned for a refund. This is the only way companies will stop selling landfill!

[Rich in Vancouver]

It's frustrating as it's a simple part and it should be no big deal to manufacture one that lasts. A small manufacturer would be able to make a durable drop link in small quantities to at least satisfy the enthusiasts who don't mind paying more for a product that will last.
Back to the MGF/TF, you have a guy like Mike Satur who is a small, low overhead dealer who takes the initiative to design uprated parts and have them manufactured in small batches. The 75/ZT needs someone to do the same.

[macafee2]

You have stuff sold as genuine that was made years after the car brand went bust and sold at a premium. How can the buyer tell the difference between genuine
just made from "china" and below par stuff made in "china"?

macafee2

[Comfortably Numb]

BS, DIN and CE used to mean something. Trading standards and customs do their best to eliminate fake products, but internet orders for single or small quantities makes it an almost impossible task: they are too busy trying to stop the mass imported fake branded stuff, not the unbranded, small order NAUGHTY WORD-NAUGHTY WORD-NAUGHTY WORD-NAUGHTY WORD-. And when the original car maker disappeared long ago, you often don't even have the choice of buying OEM parts that are quality checked by the OEM!

[trikey]

Originally Posted by Comfortably Numb

BS, DIN and CE used to mean something. Trading standards and customs do their best to eliminate fake products, but internet orders for single or small quantities makes it an almost impossible task: they are too busy trying to stop the mass imported fake branded stuff, not the unbranded, small order NAUGHTY WORD-NAUGHTY WORD-NAUGHTY WORD-NAUGHTY WORD-. And when the original car maker disappeared long ago, you often don't even have the choice of buying OEM parts that are quality checked by the OEM!

Did you know that a lot of 'fake' Chinese stuff still shows the CE mark, the difference is the CE mark on Chinese stuff can be spaced a little differently therefore getting around the patent laws!