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MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG Midget and Sprite Technical - I sthsi the correct boot for my steering rack?

I'm putting new boots on the steering rack of my 69 RHD midget and I think it's the wrong one.

The RH one was exactly the same so no problem there. The LH one is different and the big end is too small. I thought I'd been sent the wrong part so I checked it and it says Midget LH (GSV 1104). I also went on the suppliers website and it's the correct part no. and there's even a picture of it exactly the same.

So is it the correct one or has the supplier stuffed up with their listing?

Greg


Greg H

Looks like they packed the wrong part. Ask for the right one!
Chris H (1970 Midget 1275)


It's from B&G and matches what's on their website so if I ask for a replacement and I do actually get one I'm sure I'd just get another one the same.

It's not the first time with this supplier. They sent me the wrong brake caliper kits not that long ago and it took 3 months before I finally got the replacements. They would keep replying to my emails and say they're on the way but it didn't happen until I called them from Aus. I had previously spent quite a bit of of money with them so you'd expect better customer service.

So at only £5 if it is the wrong one it's easier for me to just go elsewhere.

Greg H

No Greg it looks like it isn't, it looks like you've ordered the wrong part

you want part ACA6029 now ACA6029K (K is for kit which will be either two different size tie-wraps or jubilee clips)

my source of information - (Ref: 0016) - http://www.mgocshop.co.uk/catalog/Online_Catalogue_Parts_Lists_3.html

B&G parts page is confusing on this, some parts you need to cross reference the information with a couple of other sites, bear in mind some errors are copied from one site to another
N Atkins


No worries Nigel I thought as much. Yes the kit is listed, item 4 but I only wanted the boot as I didn't need the clips so I ordered items 13 and 14 which should have been correct. So I don't believe I ordered the wrong part nor was the website confusing. It looks to me like it's a mistake on their part.

I have used MGOC a few times and pleased with their service but I didn't go there this time as they didn't have all the bits I needed.

No drama I'll just add it to my next order.


Greg H

Nigel - ACA6029K says it's for an MGA in the title.
Yes it's confusing - I find the Moss Europe site far better for finding correct parts needed although I don't buy direct from them.
David Smith

Hi David, I put >> some parts you need to cross reference the information with a couple of other sites, bear in mind some errors are copied from one site to another >> of course IMO you’re best to also include the factory Parts Catalogue in your referencing >>my source of information - (Ref: 0016) - http://www.mgocshop.co.uk/catalog/Online_Catalogue_Parts_Lists_3.html <<

Greg – you’re wrong, you’ve made a mistake – just like B&G make mistakes and certainly MGOC Spares do so do customers like you and I

The little photo (which can be enlarged) should have given you a clue as they show different style gaiters

Admittedly on this occasion the MGOC page it is clearer but having been on both sides of the counter for ordering parts I can assure you cross-referencing is a good idea and don’t assume the part you have fitted is the absolute correct part

Greg you could also look at getting the Heritage DVD with Parts Catalogue, Workshop Manual, the vital owners Handbooks

Now, apology required, on this occasion to B&G

Both don't worry you'll soon find I make many mistakes :)
N Atkins

Nigel, now knowing that it is the wrong part I was happy to just move on and buy another one, well that was until your statement, “You’re wrong, you’ve made a mistake” that’s a very definite statement, and one that could easily offend, particularly when it has nothing to back it up. Now if I had made a mistake I’d happily accept it, and although I did order the wrong part I can’t really see how it was my mistake.

I ordered the two boots one RH and one LH for a Midget as described on their website. So it’s unclear when they’re not the right ones how this is a mistake on my part. Although not obvious yes the pictures do show slightly different styles for each but then one was RH and one LH so perhaps they were meant to be. As you’ve stated it possible too the parts fitted to my car may not have been correct either. So it’s a little unrealistic to think that even when there is a very clear description for exactly what I’m after and an exploded diagram backing it up I was meant to look at that picture with no dimensions and realise the large diameter end on one was a bit smaller than mine and what they stated as a LH boot actually wasn’t the correct one for my Midget?

I’ve looked in my parts manual (that was my only mistake, trusting the suppliers listing and not checking) and now realise that GSV1104 and GSV1105 which I ordered are the boots for the later Midgets 72-79 and AKA6029K is for the earlier Midgets but nowhere on the description does it state this, and to confuse things further the AKA6029K even has MGA in the title. The only obvious difference between the two listings is that one has clips while the other is just the boots. In my experience when there is a difference between the years with the Midgets it’s stated in the description. Yes with MGOC (and Sussex) they make it very clear, as you’d expect they actually state which boot for which year. So yes clearly the wrong part was ordered but whose mistake was it?

So Nigel because B&G don’t correctly describe their parts and I’ve now ordered the incorrect parts and I’m out of pocket because of this you believe I owe them an apology. I have no issue with giving apologies when due e.g. I’d wrongly accused them of something but in this instance you are kidding aren’t you? Or perhaps it’s still my fault for not double checking in my parts manual that they were correctly describing what they were selling?

In the last 12 months or so I’ve bought £1500-2000 worth of parts from UK suppliers and generally found the suppliers extremely good. Although not that common, there have been a few incidences where I’ve had a problem, and for the most part, apart from me there has been another common link.

Are you also implying that quality control has now got that bad in the parts industry before we order parts we also need to cross reference with other sites to be sure it’s right. Being the untrusting sole that I am I usually do this for parts I’m less sure of like gearbox parts but it’s a bit sad if I have to now do it for everything I buy. Very inefficient too and it also suggests more of a deficiency with the supplier. When ordering parts long before the internet I don’t recall all this cross-referencing going on, at best all the supplier had was a good description and an exploded diagram with a good success.

Now perhaps if you’re in the spare parts business and you’ve sold an item many times before, then from experience you know if it’s the right part or not, but don’t forget the customer will more often than not be buying the part for the first time, and sometimes if they’re restoring a car hasn’t even got the part to compare it to so they’re very reliant on the description and diagram being clear and accurate. Surely, as you’ve stated you have a background in selling parts you’d realise a clear and accurate description is just as important to the person behind the counter as it is to the one in front of it. Also, most people out there, apart from the enthusiasts aren’t going to be armed with a parts manual either, nor should they need to be!

Oh and thanks for the offer of yet another manual, with the obvious assumption that I don’t already have one, but I’ve got more than enough owners and parts manuals and so I really don’t need any more. The parts manual is very helpful and I often use it but it’s a sad day when you have to use for the simplest of things.

Not worried, lesson learnt and moving on.

Greg
Greg H

Greg you only owe B&G an apology within this thread I didn't mean you ring, fax, email or write a letter of apology to them, perhaps I should have put the smilie on >> Now, apology required, on this occasion to B&G<< :) to show I wasn't serious instead of the next line

In Australia straight talking is normally appriecated - but in this case I was wrong, I made a mistake, I apologise

Looking at things again -
you put >>I ordered items 13 and 14<< that's what they sent you

>>if I ask for a replacement and I do actually get one I'm sure I'd just get another one the same<< you don't know that because you didn't ask, I'm sure if you had or do contact them they would soon realise that you need the other gaiters so things could be sorted out and under the circumstances I'm sure they would make sure you were not out of pocket - so stop moaning about it and contact B&G explain the situation get the correct part and don't be out of pocket

you are quite right that they need to sort this out on their web page but to do that they need to be told about it, I previously put that the B&G page is confusing

I don't think I've even found a parts list and certasinly a web one that was 100% accurate that's just life as it actually is

I'm not in the spare parts business and never have been but part of a few jobs I've done has invovled ordering parts and one was dealing with retailer and business customer so I know from personal life experiences that just as there are many bad businesses there are also many bad customers

I've ordered wrong parts, my mistakes, usually when I not cross-referenced so I suggest checking before you order, sure you shouldn't need to but it helps spot your mistakes as well as the suppliers and as you know it's better to prevent a mistake than put it right later

I suggest getting a Parts Catalogue to help owners, I'm trying to be helpfull there's no way I can know what manuals you have and I think it was reasonable to assume you didn't have a copy otherwise you could have looked the part up - like I did to help you

this part isn't that straight forward in fact many parts aren't when you look at the factory Parts Cataloge

I could tell you a story of parts I order that went wrong and only turned up yesterday and completed today were I paid more for P&P than the parts so that I should have got them 10 days ago - things go wrong, mistakes happen but no one got hurt, a bit annoying but not the end of the world (that's October now)

So get in touch with B&G explain about their confusing web page get the correct part you want and don't be out of pocket

Just to be clear in my opinion you were wrong you did order the wrong part, you did make a mistake but you were lead into making that mistake however you certainly had the means to prevent it

I'm sorry my writing gave the wrong tone to what I meant but the facts are obviously unaltered regardless

if you wanted or need I'm very happy to help resolve this being the same time zone as B&G just let me know, I done something similar before for another BBS user and ended up talking to a freind of a freind and being sent some very funny photos of my friend - life can be funny
N Atkins


My parts book was at work and I wasn't which is why I thought I'd ask the question here.

I think straight talking is a good explanation of the way Australians are. I didn't realise this until I was living and working in England. I was in a extremely commercial role and I would just say what I needed to straight up. I thought nothing of it but this did surprise a few, although for the most part I think it was seen favourably as the position was very clear, but then if we disagreed it was also made very clear....... Just the Aussie way. No offence intended either, just my view.

Thanks for the offer of assistance but won't be required, as I won't be returning them. Not because I don't think I should but because the postage would be considerably more and based on experience could take quite a while. Although delivery times aren't too bad to Aus the cost of postage can often be as much as the parts.

As I said before not a problem I'll just add them to my next order.

Greg H

It's not just brown and gammons. someone on ebay is selling a boot kit to fit all midgets '66 to '80....
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MG-MIDGET-STEERING-RACK-GAITER-KIT-/190467748876?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item2c58c3340c

graeme jackson

I know what you mean Greg (about all)

In the last month I've had a few spares cock-ups for the Midget, some my fault others just bad luck. which I'm used to as I get my share of it with cars and parts

I'm with you sometimes life's too short and complicated already to mess around sending things back and forth in the post, although I will do it even at my cost if the principle is right

I usually build up a small collection of parts I don't or didn't want and give them away when I have a small stock of them I don't want

then of course 6 months later I have to buy something I've given away - it's called keeping the economy going

I'll wing a message to the eBay seller later

in case that's where B&G get their stock from :)
N Atkins

G'day Greg. I don't muck around with ordering overseas unless it is absolutely impossible to get parts here in Oz.

Have a look at spriteparts.com.au in Sydney and then send an email to Colin Dodds. He is absolutely fantastic to work with, and knows stuff that you and I can only dream about.

He has saved me on many occasions, and is quite happy to post parts, at much lower costs than posting over the waters.

Wazza
w butler

Hi Wazza thanks for the suggestion. I have bought a bit off Colin (and others in Aus) and he has helped me out with some hard to find parts. He definitely is very knowledgable, but parts in Aus are usually considerably more expensive. In part I suspect because the stock was probably bought from the UK at a far less favourable exchange rate.

If I was only after a few bits and pieces I might get it locally but I'm restoring every scrap of the car and so with what I've needed and with the current exchange rate the savings buying from the UK have been considerable. If you do have a problem with an overseas order (not very often) it's not so easy to sort it but a minor concession for the cost benefit. I suspect the parts may come from the same supplier too, so quality would most likely be the same. As my car is under restoration the delivery time is not usually an issue either.

I've also found the UK suppliers good because they have nearly everything, so good for getting all those obscure little bits and pieces.

Here's an example between buying in Aus and the UK. Not from spritepart but somewhere else in Aus. Lower wishbones with pins. In Aus $294.47 each. With the current exchange rate from UK suppliers they're $86.50 each (no VAT)!!

So if I bought a pair locally it's $588.94+ post of perhaps $30-$40. The exact same parts from the UK $173 + postage. In this instance the postage was quite high because they were fairly heavy, about $120 but I also included quite a lot of other stuff in the delivery to offset it. So even on something heavy and expensive to post the total cost at my door was still less than half price. A saving of over $300.

I do like to support the local suppliers and don't mind a bit of a markup for the convenience, but only within reason and so I won't buy locally when parts are a lot more expensive e.g. 3 times the price.

I part restored the car quite some time ago, before the internet and bought everything from Aus as it was the only practical option and parts always appeared costly. If only the world market was more accessible back then. Times have changed..... :)

Greg H

Fair comments Greg. I guess I'm in a luckier position to you in that I can drive to Colin's place in about an hour. I have bought heaps from overseas as well (doing the full resto and LHD to RHD job) and it is always "horses for courses"

Wazza
w butler

This thread was discussed between 27/06/2011 and 06/07/2011

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG Midget and Sprite Technical BBS is active now.