9 replies to this topic

[Lee Nicolle]

I have had one of those days as a repairer where all I am getting is these parts are all universal, one size or part fits all!
I do not do a great deal of mechanical work these days as it hurts!. But today 2 service jobs and trying to buy relacement parts has cost me more time than in the workshop.

Job 1 a late 70s V8 Falcon which was a service which also needed a couple of wheel cylinders, a radiator hose and a couple of minor suspension rubbers that age had got too. And to buy rubber suspension parts is nigh on impossible, all they want to sell you is urethane junk.The wheel cyls were not quite so hard and but the air filter was 3 calls. All of these parts are generic over several models from the 60s up until the 90s. Yes I know not mainstream anymore but there is still alot of them around.
I had ordered 2 new tyres last week, when they turned up [on the rims] they too were one size fits all wankmaster GT type tyres and I had ordered the correct [superseded] size that the car was sold with originally, a common size on most full size wagons, utes, vans etc from early 70s until mid 90s. And HQ racing! I am told they are so hard to get now. And there is only a couple of brands left. Which is why I ordered them last week. So I now have the car tieing up a hoist now waiting for the correct size to come in.

On that a friend damaged a tyre on a new car, the OEM tyre on a 9 month old car is obsolete! So he had to buy 2 of a different type.

Job 2 was a simple mid 90s Mitsubishi was a radiator flush and replace the rocker cover gaskets. Which turned up at 3 after being ordered at 9.30. The rad flush found a crook thermostat which was 3 calls also. And it is a generic Mitsubishi part! When refitting the thermostat I discovered I had ran out of silastic, what was supplied was a general auto and house and garden type.One size fits all junk. Which I will use for water but not anything else on an engine. So I still need silastic. The last bit was too replace the tailgate struts but it seems they are no longer advailable at all and I have to buy changeover ones,,, that cost more than the originals new. So that is for next time too.
I am sure a lot of you people have similar problems, as repairers, or just owner enthusiasts. I have often found that new cars are hard to get parts for, as they are too busy producing cars to service parts too, and when they get older they are supposedly obsolete. And this is on popular mainstream vehicles, god help the odd bods.

This is not it seems just the motor trade, I believe electrical is terrible, and I have found out that home renovation components are worse too as I have been doing that in recent weeks.

[24gerrard]

This is a common issue that has gotten worse over many decades.
I believe that manufacturers have a legal obligation to supply parts for old vehicles up to a certain date. Perhaps someone has the detail?
Unfortunately the car makers will try any trick in the book to avoid this responsibility.
With the current nuclear disaster in Japan, I would guess that parts for any Japanese cars will now pretty much dry up, unless the aftermarket can fill the gap.
Interestingly in the UK at least, the vintage car parts supply (and older classics) which is mostly re-manufacture, seems better than many modern car parts supply.
We have an old machine shop that can make most things and have supply sources for most everything else.

[cheapracer]

I believe that manufacturers have a legal obligation to supply parts for old vehicles up to a certain date. Perhaps someone has the detail?

10 years was the Euro agreement for a long time, not sure if it's changed or was actually official rather than a Gentleman's Manufacturer's agreement encouraged by Government. Toyota used to be great, you could get any part for any year model when enough back orders accumulated for them to do a run (don't know about now).

Lee, 24 is right about classic suppliers, try Rare Spares and similar etc for older Coon and Holden stuff ..

[OfficeLinebacker]

Interesting. I've not had too much trouble getting parts for anything in the USA, even a 1978 Aston Martin V8 I worked on for a friend.

The parts people, if a little dim, seem eager to help and if they don't have it, they know someone who does, or who in turn can refer me to the next person. And I remember the good parts people, for example one was an expert in British imports. One thing about a good parts guy, he loves to serve as a resource and help out, even if it doesn't mean a direct sale for him this time.

[24gerrard]

Interesting. I've not had too much trouble getting parts for anything in the USA, even a 1978 Aston Martin V8 I worked on for a friend.

The parts people, if a little dim, seem eager to help and if they don't have it, they know someone who does, or who in turn can refer me to the next person. And I remember the good parts people, for example one was an expert in British imports. One thing about a good parts guy, he loves to serve as a resource and help out, even if it doesn't mean a direct sale for him this time.

Hmmm yes, the supply of British parts and the responsibility and drive to make and supply replacements is high.
I wonder if the same is going to be true for the Japanese industry that effectively destroyed it?

Edited by 24gerrard, 18 April 2011 - 16:57.

[Tony Matthews]

... the Japanese industry that effectively destroyed it?

The Japanese didn't destroy the British motor industry, it commited suicide.

[24gerrard]

I will give you that one.

OF course you have to consider, that with a French president on the FIA now, whether British Motor Sport is now doing the same.

Edited by 24gerrard, 18 April 2011 - 17:24.

[Lee Nicolle]

Hmmm yes, the supply of British parts and the responsibility and drive to make and supply replacements is high.
I wonder if the same is going to be true for the Japanese industry that effectively destroyed it?

In my experience with Pommy stuff here in Oz is dont bother as it will be unadvailable or stupidly expensive, and this is over 30 years experience, even with so called mainstream cars, Hillman, Vauxhall,[with Holden badges] BL, Rover.
To me those are orphans totally. And I would seldom touch one as a used car or repair job.

[Lee Nicolle]

The Japanese didn't destroy the British motor industry, it commited suicide.

Yes, while the British workers were on strike the Japanese had made enough cars to fill the showrooms. And you do not have to be able to swear with a broad British accent to service them either normally.And when you went to trade them they had a resale value.
Even Escorts and Cortinas devalued considerably and they were the best of the lot sold here in Oz. [and built here too]

[carlt]

Yes, while the British workers were on strike the Japanese had made enough cars to fill the showrooms.

A really Beautiful film to watch "Made in Dagenham" http://www.bbc.co.uk...ade_in_dagenham

Shows a different angle on some of the late '60s strikes

But yes - the Trades Unions took a genuine cause and turned it into a religion - so all that was left was the ritual and the pomp and ceremony