Date: Fri, 8 Sep 2000 08:52:11 -0700
Reply-To: Stuart MacMillan <macmillan@HOME.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Stuart MacMillan <macmillan@HOME.COM>
Subject: Friday musings to get you thinking (some Vanagon content)
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It's been an interesting week on the list. Lots of talk about
reliability, safety, etc. that has prompted me to offer some
observations as food for thought.
Bridgestone/Firestone: Unbelievable and unforgivable negligence here.
According to in depth articles in the Wall Street Journal this week
Firestone states they "don't know what the problem with the tires is."
Then why should anyone believe that their replacement tires are any good
either if they don't know what the problem is? In 1978 Firstone had the
exact same problem with tread peeling off Firestone 500 tires and
recalled 13 million of them. In those pre-SUV days only (large) cars
had these tires and fatal rollover accidents weren't as common as today,
so Firestone survived, but was weakened and agreed to be purchased by
Bridgestone. At that time a chemical (resorcinol) used in too high a
concentration as a bonding agent was named as the cause. What is it
now? What shortcuts or flawed process are they using this time? This
is incomprehensible to me.
According to the WSJ, "...at that time [1979] calls were made to enact
tire industry regulations, but with the advent of the Regan
administration and it's stated goal of less industry regulation nothing
was done." So now we have "deja vu all over again." As anyone who has
bought tires recently knows, there not only is no regulation in this
industry (ever read your tires' warranty?), but no standardization
either. This has got to end an maybe this debacle will finally end it.
Vanagon content: If you have ANY Firestone tires on ANY of your vehicles
either replace them with ANY other brand TODAY, or stay off the freeways
and below 45 mph! The safety of their products IS COMPLETELY UNKNOWN!!!!
Mitsubishi: Another stunning revelation. For over 20 years Mitsubishi
has hidden product problems to avoid recalls! Now some 600,000 cars are
being recalled, and the government is investigating with possible
criminal prosecution forthcoming. I should hope so! And
DaimlerChrysler wants to buy them? Well, maybe it's a good fit. I
lived through the K-car era, and some of my relatives were victims. Lee
Iococa wasn't kidding when he admitted "we made some real crap in the
'80s", and that crap came with Mitsubishi engines that were real pieces
of work! If any of them were still on the road they would no doubt be
part of the recall.
So, the food for thought part: Do we need stronger regulation or less
regulation? Should Firestone survive this time? How many chances do
you give them? Would you buy or feel safe with a Firestone or
Mitsubishi product?
And on a lighter note (with Vanagon content):
Subaru conversions: If Kennedy ever comes up with a shortened oil pan
that includes windage baffles, a shortened oil pick up, five quart
capacity, and a dipstick reachable from behind the license plate I'll
put a Subaru engine in next time for one reason and one reason only:
I'D NEVER HAVE TO REBUILD AN ENGINE FOR THE VANAGON AGAIN! There are
thousands of Subaru engines to be had for a few hundred dollars sitting
in junkyards everywhere! I could even have a spare or two sitting in
the garage at those prices!
Happy Friday, and have great weekend!
Let the flames begin!
--
Stuart MacMillan
Seattle
'84 Vanagon Westfalia w/2.1
'65 MGB (Driven since 1969)
'74 MGB GT (Restoring)
Assisting on Restoration:
'72 MGB GT (Daughter's)
'64 MGB (Son's)
Parts cars:
'68 & '73 MGB, '67 MGB GT
