Do rubber components have a "service life"?
Discussion
Reason for asking is that I'm about to change the dampers on our 2003 Freelander and was thinking about what else I should change whilst everything's apart.
For example, the flexi brake hoses are original AFAIK. They don't show signs of cracking but since they may be 13 years old and the car's done 160,000 miles, I was wondering if it's worth changing them?
I'm assuming that when I pull the suspension apart I'm going to find the strut mountings, bump stops, and front strut top bearings might be a little tired too!
For example, the flexi brake hoses are original AFAIK. They don't show signs of cracking but since they may be 13 years old and the car's done 160,000 miles, I was wondering if it's worth changing them?
I'm assuming that when I pull the suspension apart I'm going to find the strut mountings, bump stops, and front strut top bearings might be a little tired too!
Examine all items & change if in doubt.
New suspension bushes can make a surprising difference to handling if the old ones are tired. I prefer to use standard OE ones instead of polybushes etc (Mine's a 1986 RRC). Before fully tightening the bolts have the vehicle back on its wheels & the suspension settled or you will reduce the life of the new bushes & may get odd handling.
You should be able to find a maintenance schedule either in the owner's handbook or workshop manual but frankly some of the intervals between recommended replacements are so short as to make me think it's just a way of ramping up the bill.
New suspension bushes can make a surprising difference to handling if the old ones are tired. I prefer to use standard OE ones instead of polybushes etc (Mine's a 1986 RRC). Before fully tightening the bolts have the vehicle back on its wheels & the suspension settled or you will reduce the life of the new bushes & may get odd handling.
You should be able to find a maintenance schedule either in the owner's handbook or workshop manual but frankly some of the intervals between recommended replacements are so short as to make me think it's just a way of ramping up the bill.
Edited by paintman on Friday 25th November 14:23
It definitely does....problem is there is no generic how long.
OEM parts tend to last much better than generic replacement parts. And a lot can depend how they are used and the environment in which they are used in.
So really it's as above....if in doubt, replace with good quality parts.
OEM parts tend to last much better than generic replacement parts. And a lot can depend how they are used and the environment in which they are used in.
So really it's as above....if in doubt, replace with good quality parts.
GreenV8S said:
Very true, and I'd go even further - I think that OE fitted consumables are often significantly better than the OEM supplied replacement parts even with the identical part number and brand.
I think it just depends on manufacturer they use at the time.A great example on my van was ARB bushes. Originals lasted quite some time before lots of knocking occurred...actually took a while to find it.
I replaced with some cheap generic parts, within a few weeks knocking re-appeared ( I do big miles, although any bush letting go after only 10-12k is terrible )
So replaced again with another generic brand.....same again.
So next time replaced with genuine Vaux part, not really much more expensive, I only bought the generic part as it was handy to order online. It's almost 2 years later and 170-180k on and still no knocking.
GreenV8S said:
stevieturbo said:
OEM parts tend to last much better than generic replacement parts.
Very true, and I'd go even further - I think that OE fitted consumables are often significantly better than the OEM supplied replacement parts even with the identical part number and brand.4 types,
OE/tow pack (i assume harder?)
service for old discs (leading edge if the pad was a grinding surface to level the disc on the first few miles of use) I assume the mechanic would bed the pads in on an old disc, the noise would be horrendous
service for new discs, just a normal pad, no grinding part to the pad.
basic IE motorcraft rather than ford logo'd
S0 What said:
service for old discs (leading edge if the pad was a grinding surface to level the disc on the first few miles of use) I assume the mechanic would bed the pads in on an old disc, the noise would be horrendous
You're saying there was a pad variant with an abrasive layer/edge specifically designed to flatten a worn disc? Wow, I've never heard of that before. Yes, I imagine that must have sounded horrendous. These days I expect fitters would just see it as an excuse to add new discs to the bill.
GreenV8S said:
S0 What said:
service for old discs (leading edge if the pad was a grinding surface to level the disc on the first few miles of use) I assume the mechanic would bed the pads in on an old disc, the noise would be horrendous
You're saying there was a pad variant with an abrasive layer/edge specifically designed to flatten a worn disc? Wow, I've never heard of that before. Yes, I imagine that must have sounded horrendous. These days I expect fitters would just see it as an excuse to add new discs to the bill.
tyounot 
sometimes called refinishing or resurfacing pads by the mechanics who i've spoken to since 
GreenV8S said:
You're saying there was a pad variant with an abrasive layer/edge specifically designed to flatten a worn disc? Wow, I've never heard of that before. Yes, I imagine that must have sounded horrendous.
These days I expect fitters would just see it as an excuse to add new discs to the bill.
Most EBC pads have a top abrasive bed-in layer.These days I expect fitters would just see it as an excuse to add new discs to the bill.
The rubber used today seems to be ste ,ive used after market part and OE parts ,the OE parts do last a lot longer.Why do you think car tyers have dates on them now ? coz coming down to road from the EU you will have to change them weather theyre worn out or not as part of the MOT when they get to a curtan age,it came in this year for motor bikes,its just a matter of time.So rubber does have a shelf life.
te ,ive used after market part and OE parts ,the OE parts do last a lot longer.Why do you think car tyers have dates on them now ? coz coming down to road from the EU you will have to change them weather theyre worn out or not as part of the MOT when they get to a curtan age,it came in this year for motor bikes,its just a matter of time.So rubber does have a shelf life.tortop45 said:
The rubber used today seems to be ste ,ive used after market part and OE parts ,the OE parts do last a lot longer.Why do you think car tyers have dates on them now ? coz coming down to road from the EU you will have to change them weather theyre worn out or not as part of the MOT when they get to a curtan age,it came in this year for motor bikes,its just a matter of time.So rubber does have a shelf life.
Could you provide a link to that please, can't find any mention of it on the DVSA MoT website.te ,ive used after market part and OE parts ,the OE parts do last a lot longer.Why do you think car tyers have dates on them now ? coz coming down to road from the EU you will have to change them weather theyre worn out or not as part of the MOT when they get to a curtan age,it came in this year for motor bikes,its just a matter of time.So rubber does have a shelf life.Gassing Station | Suspension, Brakes & Tyres | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff