New Rotten Rubber

[Domenic T.]

I am doing a frame up and have replaced all the rubber for new and I am finding that the new is worse than the old.

I see it cracking before my eyes, it is bad in the box.

I get most from LICORCETTE and I already have to replace it a few Mos later with NO use on it. It just rots right in front of me.

I was just glad that someone had replacements and I could get them, now I'm having 2nd thoughts.

What is the solution? am I buying from the wrong people?

I bought the whole emergency brake cable just to get new rubber and it was seperated (cracked) when I opened the box.

Need to head off this problem for the guys getting ready to buy BAD ROTTED RUBBER.

DOM

[Peter J.]

Re: New Rotten Rubber

Can't expain the problem, I've never had a problem with LIC rubber or Corvette rubber Co's products. Be intursting to hear from others.

[Michael J.]

Re: New Rotten Rubber

Nope, I have never seen this in the suppliers I use, like Ecklers, LIC, Paragon, etc.

[Scott S.]

Re: New Rotten Rubber

I have purchased my rubber products from Corvette Central since 1981. No problems still works fine on my cars.
Scott

[Gary N.]

Re: New Rotten Rubber

Dom,
It's that California air - it rots everything!

[Patrick N.]

Re: New Rotten Rubber

Dom,
I can back you on this one. My new rubber for A-arms upper / lower have cracks as well. I did not torque until engine was installed and weight placed on suspension. I torqued and within a couple days noticed the cracks in rubber. I know rubber is a relatively new invention so defects should be common right? (Sarcasm)

[Domenic T.]

Re: New Rotten Rubber

Gary looks that way!

Patrick,
I'm finding all the boots cracking. The clutch rod, fork boot at bellhousing, E-brake dust boots, to name a few.
I'm going to take a close look at the weather stripping before I glue it to the doors. I've had that for 8 Mos. and it is still in the package.

DOM

[Patrick N.]

Re: New Rotten Rubber

I have not looked too closely at other parts on my 68 but I will now-specifically my motor mounts! My 88 has a flat as of two weeks ago-noticed dry rot on side wall which I found surprising as the tires are not very old. I wonder if modifiers such as plasticizers are being reduced?

[Doug F.]

Re: New Rotten Rubber

back in the 80's and 90's we were having a hard time finishing and delivering a car before before certain rubber products cracked and got hard, the parts were mostly a-arm bushing, shock/sway bar bushings on all models and windshield rubbers and shift boots on 56 to 62's, lately we use nothing but Corvette Central stuff and haven't had another problem, sounds like you got some old seconds from back in the day. you just as well change it all now as it is not likely to get any better with more age and will be tougher later

[Paul L.]

Re: New Rotten Rubber

There is something about this thread that does not make sense. About a year ago I bought a weatherstripping kit from Corvette Rubber Company (through Willcox) for my 1974 convertible. I got most of it on but stopped short of the doors. So that will wait until spring. I just checked the door weatherstripping in my office and it is still as supple as a baby's bum. So I do not understand what product is failing so quickly?



The white is GM silicone emulsion #10953014. This strip did not deteriorate at all in 2010.

[Domenic T.]

Re: New Rotten Rubber

Paul,
It's not all the rubber thats failing, I'm noticing that things like clutch arm boots, clutch rod boots, etc. are cracking. That is not supposed to happen.
Doug mentioned in his post that new rubber was failing before he completed his job.
I am noticing it because I have to remove or move the installed rubber. That's when I see the cracks.
They would be hard to see otherwise, but in my opinion they would fail within a year or two.

DOM

[Michael F.]

Re: New Rotten Rubber

I have purchased my rubber products from Corvette Central since 1981. No problems still works fine on my cars.
Scott

I agree, with an exception. The rubber for my hardtop was factory quality. Outstanding. The rubber for my rear deck lid was awful. It was very soft and weak not even the same thickness . I chose to black silicone over some of the cracks on my original and re-apply. Some pieces are hit and miss.