I recently did a total rebuild on a 52 3100 including all new rubber obtained from where we all buy our parts from.
I was not impressed. Before the build was complete, the fuel tank filler neck grommet and the rubber under the exterior door handles cracked severely. I don't blame the vendors for this. Their rubber parts have held up for me in the past without issues.
Their parts are likely made overseas with exact specifications as to what materials are to be used, which are not followed.
My rubber parts were likely made in Asia near the end of the batch when the rubber vat was getting low and they had to add old flipflops and plastic bottles so as to not run out of material before the order was complete. (speculation on my part)'
Any builds I do now requiring rubber parts will be ordered from Steele.
