SolihullBeast Posted July 18, 2011 Share Posted July 18, 2011 I ordered a propshaft from LRseries recently and was comforted by the fact that their website stated that the propshafts supplied as replacement were hardy spicer. So went ahead with the order and the item turned up with a blue sticker on it.. oh dear. So after several attempted calls I eventually emailed with my concerns and received a reply which stated that although the item arrived with a britpart sticker, it was in fact made by hardy spicer with GKN uj's and this could be confirmed by the marking on the UJ's and a sticker on the shaft itself that says "inspected and found ok". I'm really looking for a second opinion here, are there any elements that distinguish a prop made by britpart and a prop made by hardy-spicer? If the gentlemen from LRseries is correct in what he says then that would in effect make this britpart item OEM, two words which I haven't seen together before, but am perfectly happy to accept if the item is in fact made by Hardy spicer, but sourced by britpart. Has anyone had a similar experience? Or knows any details regarding the britpart sourcing? This thread isn't intended to drag up the old blue sticker slagging match, I am aware that has been done to death with the same outcome each time! just looking for a little clarification. Many Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les Brock Posted July 18, 2011 Share Posted July 18, 2011 GKN UJ's have it cast in the X piece My GKN Double Cardon has that stamped in the tube ITH Regards Les Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SolihullBeast Posted July 18, 2011 Author Share Posted July 18, 2011 Thanks for the response, from what I can see it has the correct stamps so no further questions, looks the like genuine article, cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retroanaconda Posted July 18, 2011 Share Posted July 18, 2011 Britpart distribute loads of OEM parts, so no problem. It's easier for shops like LR Series to buy parts through a distributor like Britpart than set up dealings with GKN, Hardy Spicer, Corteco, Timken, Delphi, Lucas and all the other OEMs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SolihullBeast Posted July 18, 2011 Author Share Posted July 18, 2011 The company replied and explained, very helpful, and my mind is put at rest, now onto fitting it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zim Posted July 18, 2011 Share Posted July 18, 2011 For future reference, i see paddocks are now selling baily morris props at damn good prices G Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Posted July 19, 2011 Share Posted July 19, 2011 As a word of warning - GKN, Hardy spicer etc may well make the item, but there is no guarantee that it is to the same specification, tolerances or quality that the OE item was made to. These companies make components for many people, to separate specifications. Whilst I would not want to cast doubt over the item in question, I have been told that Britpart's MO involves driving the price down very hard with the supplier. Given that the part has to remain physically the same dimensions, all that can give to get the price down is the quality of the materials and/or parts that go up to make it. just a thought Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rtbarton Posted July 19, 2011 Share Posted July 19, 2011 But would a reputable manufacturer still put his name on sub-standard items? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Posted July 19, 2011 Share Posted July 19, 2011 Depends on how you define sub-standard - if they are built to the spec specified by the customer after all... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rtbarton Posted July 19, 2011 Share Posted July 19, 2011 If you had a position of respect in the marketplace and someone asked you make something that you knew wouldn't last very long that would be substandard from your point of view. I certainly wouldn't put my name on that item. I may still manufacture it anonomously though. It may be tricky to stop people putting a GKN UJ in their own propshaft which could be made out of an inferior steel to a GKN one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Hiatt Posted July 19, 2011 Share Posted July 19, 2011 Depends on how you define sub-standard - if they are built to the spec specified by the customer after all... Exactly, GKN/HS (same Company) already do at least two specifications of the 1310 UJ. Clearly they don't regard the weaker one as sub-standard, just a lower specification. It would concern me that some Britpart parts are dimensionally incorrect, which suggests that either their specifying or quality control is sub standard. My conclusion is that I wouldn't use them for anything that I would mind failing. Bailey Morris on the other hand know their onions and provide what is specified, in my experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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