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Post by Jens Munk on Feb 2, 2020 21:04:02 GMT
I don't really like to write this, but I wonder if anybody else has had a similar experience with BCC, British Classic Car Parts. They are occasionally advertising in Take Five and they are always mentioned under the Members Only Discount. They also have a web-site:
When I got my P5B some years ago, one of the rear springs had a broken leaf and I replaced them with the only available 5-leaf heavy duty type. They do the job, but they just sit too high - about 2 inches. Having seen the ad from BCC in Take Five, I ordered a set of what I believed to be a good set of 7 leaf correctly shaped springs giving the correct ride height. Unfortunately, I received two springs of different shape and was unable to get any useful response from BCC.
The first things I did was to email the photos plus several others, but got no reply. About a week later I called them. The person I got hold of was aware of my email but told me that James would was in charge but also that he was busy and would get back to me. He never did. Some days later I called again, and James picked up the phone. However, he told me that John was in charge but on a business trip and would get back to me. He never did. So just to be sure I resent my observations to any email address I could find in bcc-parts.com, but since that had the same result, I filed a claim though PayPal who eventually got my money back since they didn't reply to PayPal either. I am stunned!
Here is what I found:
The first thing I noticed when I unpacked them, is that the length is about 12 mm different due to different shapes:
The height of the springs is also 12 mm different:
Bottom leafs have different lengths:
Both shackle bushings are misaligned:
The materials are different. One is nice and the other is pitted and rusty:
Finally, event the bolts and labels are different:
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Post by enigmas on Feb 2, 2020 22:22:04 GMT
Fortunately you used Paypal Jens and were able to get a refund. It looks like a total lack of quality control over the product. Obviously upsetting.  |
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Post by djm16 on Feb 2, 2020 22:37:36 GMT
I also would have been irritated, but eventually on reflection would probably have fitted them. The minor difference in settings might well even out within the first thousand miles or so. In any case, by putting the taller spring on the nearside, the ride height might actually be improved. Or would others put the taller spring on the drivers side to counter the weight of the driver? If it was Cyril Smith's car, you would probably retain the 5 leaf on the drivers side.
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Post by Brendan69 on Feb 3, 2020 16:56:47 GMT
Glad you got your money back via paypal. I call that ignorant service. It reminds me of some issues ive had with JRW who also dont give a toss and like to fob you off after they have took your money then ban you when you raise an issue.
Never mind eh.
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roverp5b
Rover Fanatic
whats in your mirror
Posts: 195
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Post by roverp5b on Feb 3, 2020 18:49:26 GMT
That’s not good news as I found out Brost Forge are no longer trading when I called them today, they did my springs twenty years ago and are at the point of needing re-doing again, any other contacts for spring refurbs?
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Post by Steed on Feb 3, 2020 22:22:58 GMT
Sounds like extremely shoddy service.
If, BCC gave no useful response, I think they should be contacted and given a robust talking to by whoever arranges their promotion in the P5 magazine department.
Obviously, then dependent on the result, they should be dropped by the club and no recommendations given further.
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Post by davidg on Feb 3, 2020 23:35:51 GMT
If it helps anyone, I have for sale a brand new spring, I bought a car with spares last week that has a broken spring, owner got one to sort it out, 20 odd years later the old boy still hadn't done anything to the car, well he is 91!.
Made by British Springs Ltd, Bridgnorth ,Salop
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Post by partviking on Feb 4, 2020 6:01:41 GMT
I have read one good revue about P4 springs from www.jones-springs.co.uk but have no other information about them. They are reasonably priced on P4 springs but sadly caveat emptor has to be the watch word when sourcing many products nowadays. It's somewhat ironic that as consumers we are better protected than ever yet levels of service on both goods and services seem to be at rock bottom. At least you got your money back but that's little comfort when what you actually need is a set of springs. |
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Post by Phil Nottingham on Feb 4, 2020 9:15:29 GMT
The new design 5 leafers I fitted from Wadhams 2 years ago are excellent. He is awaiting stocks of the new 7 leafers I understand.
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Post by David on Feb 4, 2020 9:15:58 GMT
Obviously, then dependent on the result, they should be dropped by the club and no recommendations given further. Can I politely point out that the club does not recommend this company, or any others listed. We simply pass on to club members a discount, should you decide to use them. |
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Post by Jens Munk on Feb 4, 2020 12:01:32 GMT
David,
I understand that the discounts listing is not a recommendation. However, when the product and customer support from a these company are so bad, they should be taken off the list to reduce the risk of other club members falling in the same trap.
Obviously, then dependent on the result, they should be dropped by the club and no recommendations given further. Can I politely point out that the club does not recommend this company, or any others listed. We simply pass on to club members a discount, should you decide to use them. |
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Post by Jens Munk on Feb 4, 2020 12:07:27 GMT
I am pleased to hear that Wadhams is awaiting new 7 leaf springs. Maybe I should just be more patient.
My Rover is currently fitted with his 5 leafers, but they are just too high. Measuring and calculating from a factory photo, mine is 62 mm too high with these 5 leaf springs.
The new design 5 leafers I fitted from Wadhams 2 years ago are excellent. He is awaiting stocks of the new 7 leafers I understand. |
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Post by v8pilot on Feb 4, 2020 12:38:32 GMT
What a coincidence as I bought springs from British Springs in good old Salop 20 years ago and I am an old cout as well! I gathered at the time they were made for JRW as they couldn't get the thin steel or something to make the 7 leafers any more. The car still sits as it did when fitted and I have only had to buy 1 set of Y bushes from JRW, so they seem to have been made of the correct length.
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Post by David on Feb 4, 2020 12:45:42 GMT
Jens, if we get any other club members with similar issues, we would of course take a closer look. :-)
If we acted on one complaint, this would result in other suppliers being included. ;-)
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Post by Steed on Feb 4, 2020 21:33:37 GMT
Exactly my point.
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Post by neilquinn on Feb 17, 2020 0:19:36 GMT
I have owned my Rover P5B Coupe 1969 for 25 years. A Mechanic for over 35 years and own a busy garage and MOT station. When we were then undertaking a full restoration on the car, I saw the advert in the Take Five magazine of these rear leaf springs that were British made, in Sheffield I think, and they were undergoing a rigorous test by one of the members. I thought these rear leaf springs would be perfect. We got the springs. They probably sat there for 6 months while our shell was being acid dipped, repainted and re-assembled. After re-assembling the rest of the running gear, we tried to install the new springs, a job we have done thousands of times on other vehicles ( Land rover, Transits etc). The new springs supplied by BCC appeared to be much too bowed. After hours & hours of struggling we used our hydraulic press, a short RSJ and some heavy duty G clamps, 2 days later, after lots of swearing, blood & tears, we had the new springs on. The next day we noticed the new springs had torn the brand new Y bushes completely in half. (see photos). Something was obviously wrong. We ordered a new set of leaf springs from Wadhams, placed them on the floor with the old springs and the springs from BCC. There was a huge difference. ( see attached photos) We put the Wadhams springs on with new Y bushes, a simple job, took a couple of hours. Everything was perfect. I managed to contact a gentleman from BCC after a second email / phone call. He agreed to come and pick them up and issue a refund. I was still out of pocket with a set of Y bushes and labour time. I have since spoken to the owner of J R Wadhams, who I have no relationship with whats so ever, he tells me the same thing happened to his company which cost him a lot of money, paying for couriers, Y bushes and grease tape. He also had to explain to a lot of customers what happened. I still see the advert for BCC rear springs is still in the Take Five magazine. I would not recommend them to anyone. As you can see in the photos, the difference in the springs. The top one is the old one, the middle one is from BCC, the bottom one is from Wadhams. You can see the bottom one , form Wadhams, is a lot flatter.    |
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Feb 18, 2020 9:29:14 GMT
The pictures of the original posters springs show (to me) a pair of shoddily made springs that are obviously not even a true pair. The price is pretty staggering considering the poor workmanship.It proves the old saying "You get what you pay for" doesnt always ring true.
Ive not bought any for my P5,if I did I would go to Jones Springs or to Wadhams. I've seen examples of both and the workmanship and accuracy in reproducing the originals dimensions and characteristics from either were far superior to those shown.
Ive used Wadhams for parts and had no problems at all, I had some springs made by Jones many moons ago for my old break down truck,same lack of problems.
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