A noted Mini shop in the USA also was having like problems with quality of rubber supplied with UK sourced parts and has needed to source quality rubber for CVs, rack gaiters etc. on its own.  I just don't know where it will come from.

If I understand correctly, Mini Spares supplied the bad long gaiters with the rack. If so, contact them and tell them. You could even post on The Mini Forum (where they have a presence) and see if others have had the same problem. If the thread becomes a long one there, chances are there will be a response of some sort.

Telling the vendors is the essential step to ridding ourselves of low quality parts. They might ignore our complaints in the end, but they can't even attempt to resolve them if they're not told. Mini Spares is reputable enough to make this worth trying.

Gaiters on NEW steering rack replaced this a.m. before ROO was on its 4-wheels once again.

Rack came from Mini Spares in UK to Hunter Classic Sports Cars here in B.C.  The replacement gaiters likely followed the same path.

The crap gaiters were long ones, as in the photo of failed & replacement.

Question - do the words "Assembled in UK" suggest a future problem?

Was really pi..ed when the track rod end rubber also split on being put into 1st use...to roll up onto a trailer & off.

So, hunted through saved rubber from old knuckles.  Presto they fit.

Just have to deal with the NEW steering rack gaiters that also split on 1st use.

If we all scream loud enough will our suppliers also scream??

Dan,  we will find out...taking backups but Evan is confident his polys will do the trick.  Rick

What kind? Rubber? Poly? Anything special or just good quality?

Yesterday, I received a set of tie-rod & a set of lower arm bushings in the mail from Evan Hale, EHMotorsports, Hillsboro, Oregon.  I will install them for the ALCAN 5000 and report on how they performed in use.

Blackwater Road DAY 2, Stikine Canyon to Telegraph Creek DAY 3, Top of the World Hwy. to Tok DAY4....  The bushings will see what are euphemistically called "unsealed roads" in Australia.

Thank you Evan!

PHOTO:  ROO crossing to 80 Mile Beach on the Indian Ocean in Western Australia...road was like concrete

yesterday, I tried to install a new pair of yellow polys. The maker of these units did not use the correct metal sleeve opening. I had to drill out the sleeve to the correct size.

Also , I installed a new lower ball joint stem into lower control arm. It does not fit. 

S*** mini parts.

Interesting, the comment about "no grease." I would agree for sure regarding any hydrocarbon-based grease, but silicone grease should be safe for rubber or polyurethane. The poly types that aren't said to be self-lubricating require silicone grease, or they'll squeak like crazy and may eventually deform. Many bushing makers either provide this grease or sell it (though I use cheaper silicone grease from the hardware plumbing department.)

Rubber bushes don't need it, but a little bit of silicone grease can help get them fitted.

Thanks Chuck!

Another option is to use the Ward Barbor bushings. They've worked for me. They are sold here. All are part numbers beginning with BR. Use the SEARCH for that.

Switching to Deflex bushes in the lower arms...must keep all bushes 'clean', no grease etc.

Also a chap who manufactures bushes is sending me a set for the tie-rods.  He has apparently worked his way through the science and now supplies our host & others.  I had gone to rubber on the inside/poly on the outside.  Can't have rubber disintegrating on the ALCAN 5000 Rally.

He also says, no grease near rubber or poly bushes.  Must be clean.

 It is not a concern at my advanced age but l ain’t buying no more of those cheap Chinese profolactics

Big AL

Looking at the adjustable suspension arm in the picture I would be thinking seriously about MiniSpares offset rubber bushes.  They come in several grades of hardness and are specially set up for cars with non standard caster.  I was not able to find any offset synthetic bushes and the “straight” ones I had did not cope well with non-standard caster.  

Also, IMHO, synthetic bushes are far more dodgy than rubber.  Unless you can find someone who provides a quality product made specifically for your application you’ll end up with bushes that take on the consistency of cheese (mostly crumbly) in a very short time.

Cheers, Ian

I would think if someone had access to the parts for measuring, a number of these bushes would cross to other OEM suspension parts, like a Moog sway bar link kit for a Dodge or shock bushes for a Miata. To get a good bushings it wouldn't bother me to trash the sway link in the box.

Rubber Woes?

Try lambskin

Kinda makes one wonder about the rubber bits in the brake system, doesn't it?  I had a ring seal in a rear brake cylinder go south after 18 months, probably about 5000 miles of use.

I've been complaining about this forever. My Poly bushings  also self destructed.

Wiggly pin bush on lower arm...exploding.  Installed, up on to & off trailer.  Life expectancy <1 mile.

Will be switching out all rubber bushes where possible for synthetics.

Rick 
Common complaint about rubber components from most vendors. 
I'v read good things about the quality of Japanese rubber components for the mini.  I have a new steering rack that the boots have perished on.
Plan to order new boots from Japan.