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Having a moan !


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I have been trying to source a new flexi hose for my pi system...that goes from the air filter into the air box. Had great difficulty, but pleased when one of our major parts providers ( no names, but not dissimilar to the stuff that grows in my lawn in winter) advises the item is in stock.

 

Part arrived promptly, but dissappointed to find it is not like the original black plastic, instead metal, with a black paper covering. Uuuuurrrrhhhhh!

 

How many more times will I have to order parts that are not an accurate reflection of the original part. Why do they not advise of the difference. I have bought so many parts like this that just end up unused in the garage and one step away from going in the rubbish bin.

 

Does anyone know where the correct part can be sourced, pleased.

 

Many thanks Peter

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One of the reasons I do not purchase via mail-order... Now I only buy what I see... had to throw away too many bad parts... my advise is to try Revington and specify has to look like the original, they for sure know how an original TR part looks like.. ;)

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There are, allegedly, just over 3,000 Tr6s left in the UK: https://www.howmanyleft.co.uk/vehicle/triumph_tr6

Of those, less than 1/2% (?) will need a new air trunking in a year.

And you complain if suppliers offer a part that ( I presume) does the job perfectly well, but is the wrong colour!

You have a motor car, not a museum piece!

And you could always spray it matt black while you search for a better substitute.

 

John

Edited by john.r.davies
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I have been trying to source a new flexi hose for my pi system...that goes from the air filter into the air box. Had great difficulty, but pleased when one of our major parts providers ( no names, but not dissimilar to the stuff that grows in my lawn in winter) advises the item is in stock.

 

Part arrived promptly, but dissappointed to find it is not like the original black plastic, instead metal, with a black paper covering. Uuuuurrrrhhhhh!

 

How many more times will I have to order parts that are not an accurate reflection of the original part. Why do they not advise of the difference. I have bought so many parts like this that just end up unused in the garage and one step away from going in the rubbish bin.

 

Does anyone know where the correct part can be sourced, pleased.

 

Many thanks Peter

Hi Peter

I have had similar problems trying to find that hose, in the end I bought some of thishttp://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Silicone-2-Ply-Black-Air-Ductings-Flexible-Air-Duct-Cold-Hot-Air-Wire-Helix-/190885431454?ssPageName=ADME:L:OC:GB:3160. It doesn't look to bad but not like the original.

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Pleased I am not alone. I'lI try Revingtons.

 

Apologies, if I touch a nerve or my post caused mis interpretation.

 

Peter

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You've no need to apologise Peter. Some people will want to keep their TRs as original looking as possible, where as others are not that bothered with such things. I'd suggest that neither way is right nor wrong, but rather just a matter of personal preference. For me the key point here is that suppliers do make it clear when the part being offered is substantially different from the original in terms of look and/or the materials used, so that buyers can make an informed decision about the purchase.

 

Darren

Edited by TR5tar
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Darren,

Agreed .....it is of course not just in the interest of the customer, but also that of the supplier, retaining a good reputation.

 

Peter

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TRs were mass production cars, new parts were manufactured in period in batches of tens of thousands. Today tens of thousands is a minimum parts commissioning, hundreds of thousands more often than not. Manufacturers of car parts are geared up to produce in mass production numbers.

 

Meanwhile a few thousand TRs remain, the proportion of unrestored or under restoration cars steadily dwindles, the overwhelming majority of those which are restored tend to be used on an occasional low mileage basis. So the demand for parts steadily dwindles. We're looking at commissioning batches of parts in hundreds, sometimes in tens, and rarely enough in thousands - and then only for components also utilised for other vehicles. The manufacturing base for parts production in these quantities is minimal at best.

 

Anything can be reproduced perfectly - at a price . . . . . But TR owners generally are unlikely to be willing to pay 'at a price'.

 

So a compromise has to be struck, which implies perhaps a different material, colour shade, cosmetic finish, whatever. It may well even need fettling to fit. But ultimately it does the job - and looks reasonable, albeit not exactly as per OE.

 

As I know well enough from past motor trade experience, when it comes to low volume parts the cost difference between exact OE reproduction and something produced for another application, but which will do the job adequately, can easily be 5 or 10 to 1 . . . . or even more.

 

Try finding parts for our 1958 Humber Super Snipe or Standard Pennant, or even the 1998 Rover 800 . . . . . often enough they're not out there, not for love / money / folding or any other currency. You have to make do and mend with used parts, or adapt whatever else might do the job . . . . . and like as not, it will take some serious searching to find even that.

 

As for " send the bloody thing back " . . . . . simply because it's not material of OE spec, but presumably can do the job adequately otherwise ? If I was the supplier, I'd be telling the customer exactly what he could do with himself, closing his account, and barring him from the premises. That, and recommending him to a modern ragtop rather than a classic.

 

Cheers

 

Alec

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This time I have to disagree here Alec. Your last paragraph is exactly where the "spares supply" is actually going wrong. I too am heartily sick and tired of ordering parts from Moss and finding that it is a "will do part with about 10 other cars" and frankly it will fit less than half of them. In the end I gave up with Moss and trawled the specialists until I found the correct part.

Peter is quite correct to complain about something that does not meet the necessary standards, note I say standards not function.

Yes, Moss should have stated that this part, along with countless others, will suffice but is not up to the original parts finish and appearance. No wonder when you read an article on any TR especially the later ones like TR4 through TR6 it states that parts supply is excellent, superb even. Huh, most of these are cheap crappola parts made to the last penny.

I actually think the way forward is to not have cheap parts made at all....... if parts are re-made to OE spec quality and the buying public is offered that part and that part alone then the choice between cheap and **** and excellent parts should not exist.

TR owners will pay good money for good parts but like Peter, myself and so many others we are just sick and fed-up of paying reasonable money for crappola parts!

Alan

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Hi Alan/Alec/Peter,

The TRR Parts Quality Initiative was formed in order to sort out parts that are of dodgy standard.

Possibly functional but not really up to scratch. Quite often not functional.

 

This TRunking looks usable and may be better than the original but possibly not what is wanted.

 

Has anybody asked the supplier if the OEM spec is available?

 

You could fill in a PQI form and ask the question.

 

Mountains can't be moved but perhaps we can drill a tunnel through to the other side.

 

Roger

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Roger and Alan ~

 

Very well said gentlemen! And I'd still "send the bloody thing back" regardless of some comments and I'd

be telling the supplier exactly what to do with themselves!! (and I've done it!).

It appears that individual comments are looked down on by some people!

Freedom of speech folks!

 

Tom.

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As Alec explained, better than I could, I hope you are willing to pay for your freedom of choice.

Which you are perfectly at liberty to do.

As I am to accept perfectly functional substitutes.

John

Edited by john.r.davies
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Freedom of speech goes hand in hand with the application of a reasonable degree of common sense.

 

We're each and every one of us entitled to an individual opinion, how it's received is likely to depend on how it's expressed.

 

If one chooses to regularly express thoughts merely in derogatory or inflammatory terms, a peremptory response is the likely consequence . . . . .

 

Neither nationality, nor race, nor colour, nor creed have any bearing.

 

Cheers

 

Alec

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Some light in the tunnel....

I am told:-

The MG (moaning gits) complained too about the replacement of the plastic tube with an aluminium/card item and Ashley Hinton, the Smiths heaters man came up with a solution. - A 3D printer.

Contact him about the length and diameter you need. I have no idea of the price but it can not be too high as MG owners squeak worse than TR.

 

http://www.mg-cars.org.uk/ah/cbpanels.htm

 

Cheers

Peter W

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When I was looking to get this pipe I had a chat with Geoff at Moss (his job is to source parts from the original manufactures) and he explained the company that made it originally had also made the heater air pipes for minis (bigger diameter). All the pipes were made on one machine designed and built, to blow mould flexi pipes, in the late 50s.

 

Once the Mini production stopped they ran the machine only occasionally when a semi-retired chap (the only one that could work it) came in for a day to do small batches. Some years ago he past away and the machine was scrapped. Hence no more OEM pipes.

 

Let's hope new technology in the form of 3d printers can get close to the product of the 60's. Laurence.

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Recently from the same supplier, I ordered replacement the rubber pipes employed on the inlet manifold and air box. I received very good rubber pipes that were even moulded to the same shape as the originals........so when I ordered a replacement for said inlet pipe I expected it to be of the same material as the original.

 

To the credit of the supplier they enclosed a returns address label with the part. So I assume I just seal the envelop up, stick the address label on and post back......no postage required.

 

I have to say, a Triumph shop in London, warned me the quality of their sun visors were not a great replacement and why. I appreciated their honesty.

 

So it proves the parts quality/ match are a bit hit and miss. So as long as expectations accept that we should all be able to get along with the part supply chain. No doubt the supplies, appreciate the impact of unhappy customers.

 

Our forum therefore provides a good source for specific parts recommendations.

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Looks like my plans to replace the air ducting on my late 6 will have to go on a back burner!

 

I am one of the (obviously annally retentive) owners who like to keep the car looking original.

(Note the use of the word 'looking')

 

Being a newbie, having owned my 6 for less than 2 years and only spent about £5K on it (I hope SWMBO never sees this post!), I still depend on the 'reputable suppliers' and these forums to find what I need.

 

In this case, I wonder if Mr Googles ability to look into corners I wouldn't even know about, might come in useful?

 

Am I wrong in thinking that there MUST be a source of a suitable, correct looking, duct out there somewhere?

 

Or am I just an optomistic fool?

 

Answers on a postcard please . . . . . .

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Gents, a suggestion.

We all know this is a tiny market/mass market issue, yes??

 

We all (mainly) drive a 'modern' all week, Yes??

 

Somewhere, on a 'modern' is a suitable hose duct that will fit our TRs!!!!

We may need to trim them.

We may need to join several together.

BUT, we can do it!!

 

Everyone look at your 'modern metal' tomorrow for an answer!

 

We will fight them on the beaches.......

 

Keep calm and carry on with TRs!

 

From an awkward bu**er who drives 150 miles to buy over the counter rather than mail order 'sight unseen'!!

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If you want plastic ducting go to a local ducting supplier/distributor, there are many all over the country. For example, the convolution pitch may not be quite the same but it will be black and plastic. You can even have a choice of colour! Unfortunately, in my experience, the TR suppliers do not have the product source knowledge?

 

Bruce.

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