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Moss parts

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tomshobby

tomshobby

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Recently I received an e-mail from a Moss rep on a separate matter. I then explained that the objective of the e-mail could be easier and more permanently met by improving part quality and that it is important for us as customers and important for Moss as well. I also included documentation and photos to illustrate what I was saying.

I seem to have found a caring person and he realized my sincerity.

We have very recently embarked on what might become the answer we all, Moss included, have been looking for. We are in a learning stage to get a better understanding but this is encouraging.

This afternoon I received this from Moss;
<span style="font-weight: bold">By the way, we have tracked down all instances of the 322-310 bolt and fixed them in not only the driveshaft application but in a couple of Triumph applications as well.

From our tech department

Under the part number 322-310 we have removed all of the fully threaded bolts (hex head screws) from stock. We have corrected our sourcing error so the next time we show stock on the 322-310 it will be the correct 5/16 UNF X 1 ¼ bolt. In addition to the inventory corrections we are currently in the process of updating both the web and catalog for the Triumph 2 – 4A and TR6 so that they we reflect the correct bolt for those make and model applications.</span>

Some might see this as a small thing but I see progress.
It refers to the flange bolts for the rear-axle flange/drive-shaft flange. The wrong bolts were being supplied and being corrected throughout the Moss supply chain from supplier on.
It indicates to me there can be better things to come.
 
Tom, thats great!! I've mentioned poor quality and completely wrong parts to there sale's people and it was fairly obvious nothing was going to be done. Also asked for a complaint department and was informed there is none.

Where or who do you contact to get something done???

Kurt.
 
The Tech Dept. These are the guys that know cars at Moss. Good folks.
 
I guess my experience with Moss has not been bad, but more non responsive. When I call and try to get a tech question answered before buying a part it takes forever and most times the question is never answered. I try email on occasion and I've gotten to the point that I don't expect an answer. I have no complaint with the quality of parts I do receive from Moss, but with my knowledge level I need all the help I can get. After these experiences I decided to go to the people who do respond with helpful information such as Robert Kirk, Peter C, Hap Waldrop, Gerard, BillM, etc. I feel like they have the knowledge base and they are very responsive. I know some are Moss re-sellers and I'm happy with that because they offer solutions, not just parts. They are a very valuable resource to me and many others and I want them around for a very long time. To me it makes sense to support them since they support me and in some cases they are small operations, so every order counts.
Rut
 
Moss is better than VB in my opinion but they do have a few parts that are just wrong. In general though I'm amazed that when all of these suppliers have a part made that original spec's seem to take FAR back seat to least cost. I have engineering and manufacturing background and in most cases making something to original specs is just as easy as making it wrong.

My vent and .02!

Kurt.
 
nomad said:
In general though I'm amazed that when all of these suppliers have a part made that original spec's seem to take FAR back seat to least cost.

My vent and .02!

Kurt.
Click to expand...

I'd add to that that switching from a fully threaded bolt to a partially threaded is a long way from actually correcting a manufacturing defect. Add to that the fact that a partially threaded bolt has s significantly lower cost than a fully threaded one. For example (@McMaster), a 5/16-24x 2 inch fully threaded bolt is 36 cents each, while a partial threaded one of the same length is 23 cents. Thats a 36% reduction in cost!

What you've really done is lower their cost per unit. Guess what, there's your incentive!
 
Gerard said:
For example (@McMaster), a 5/16-24x 2 inch fully threaded bolt is 36 cents each, while a partial threaded one of the same length is 23 cents. Thats a 36% reduction in cost!
Click to expand...

Any reseller has many variables to consider when pricing a product. Country of origin, strength grade, coating, thread grade, all enter into the cost. I am sure if you were to check with Fastenal you could get a similar price range with either one of these bolts.

My point of view is this; I can try and be part of the solution or part of the problem or simply ignore things altogether. I chose to be the first and it seems I have found a person with Moss that has the same thought. It might become a dismal failure but it might work. The other choices have no risk but have no chance of helping either. Just my opinion.
 
tomshobby said:
Gerard said:
For example (@McMaster), a 5/16-24x 2 inch fully threaded bolt is 36 cents each, while a partial threaded one of the same length is 23 cents. Thats a 36% reduction in cost!
Click to expand...


My point of view is this; I can try and be part of the solution or part of the problem or simply ignore things altogether.
Click to expand...

Not intended as criticism of you, just skepticism that it'll make much of a difference. I hope I'm wrong as I have encountered many parts that are poorly made or ill-fitting. I've tried on a few occasions, as I'm sure many others have, to get someone's attention over same without result. My main point is while you effort is to be applauded, the example seems a bit insignificant.

I hope I'm wrong!
 
Gerard,
I understand your point completely because I have been there too. I also understand how you are somewhat skeptical about this. I am hoping this will have at least some success. What ever happens I will do the best I can with the best interests of all in mind. I have presented a number of problem parts and a couple ideas for fixes.
 
Way, way back I remember in one of my business course's that the way to compete in manufacturing when someone trys to undercut you in price is not to try to beat them by lowering your price but rather to raise your quality. I know the parts business is competive as ccan be. I would hope someone like Moss would really try to beat the crowd by doing everthing possible to raise quality. Its good to here they are making some effort.

Kurt.
 
Way, way back I remember in one of my business course's that the way to compete in manufacturing when someone trys to undercut you in price is not to try to beat them by lowering your price but rather to raise your quality. I know the parts business is competive as ccan be. I would hope someone like Moss would really try to beat the crowd by doing everthing possible to raise quality. Its good to here they are making some effort.

Kurt.
 
I was under the understanding that Moss an VB basic got the parts from the same suppliers. especially metal body parts. is this not true. Are the parts different from one company to another?
 
I had a bad experience with moss and will ever order directly from them again. I don't have a real problem with their parts but with their attitudes. I ordered several things that were regular priced and then some things that were on clearance. The only thing they ever shipped was the regular priced items. No notice of any kind that the were out of the clearance items. I had to call to find out where the rest of the stuff was at and found out they were "out" of the clearance items and they would never be coming.
I had time planned to install some of the items that were on clearance as soon as they came in. The could have let me know that the stuff wasn't coming because I waited and waited. Then when I called they were not nice to me.
I sent everything back and got a refund on it all. To me, they are not fair business people. Don't advertise something you don't have. For several weeks after this whole deal went down, they still had those same clearance items listed on their website.
When you don't have something, let people know you don't have it in stock before completing an order.
I wonder how many people got suckered like me into placing a large order by seeing all the things on clearance, only to find out there were no clearance items after the fact.
One of the managers had the gall the say "that is not the way we do business", when it is exactly how they did business with me. As if him saying something was true was all that was necessary and I was just a liar.
 
So, Shirley and I were in Ashville when you were in Wisconsin. Something wrong with that.

Kim, Like I already said, I understand because I've been there too.

I still feel it is important to do what can be done to help. We need suppliers like Moss and they need us. That being said makes it clear that the parts we receive have to be good quality and correct.
 
Do what we do with race cars - buy your hardware from a place like Pegasus Racing, they carry AN hardware that's made for tough applications. On my spridget driveshaft I use AN bolts which are threaded only on the portion where the nut actually sits, the rest of the bolt is unthreaded and is a skosh larger than an SAE bolt, so it is a snug fit indeed in the holes on the flanges. Then use an AN self-locking nut and you're set. The sizing chart takes a little figuring out.
 
BuggerAll said:
Do what we do with race cars - buy your hardware from a place like Pegasus Racing, they carry AN hardware that's made for tough applications. On my spridget driveshaft I use AN bolts which are threaded only on the portion where the nut actually sits, the rest of the bolt is unthreaded and is a skosh larger than an SAE bolt, so it is a snug fit indeed in the holes on the flanges. Then use an AN self-locking nut and you're set. The sizing chart takes a little figuring out.
Click to expand...

Is Pegasus cheaper than Aircraft Spruce for AN hardware? I get my racing stuff from Pegasus and my airplane stuff from Aircraft Spruce, but never compared hardware prices between the two.
 
Well done, Tom!! Everyone with that shaft actuated clutch mechanism should do the "upgrade"!!!

I can't tell ya how many of those shaft/casting bits we had to replace.
 
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