by "XJDano" (xjdano)
Published 08/08/2017 at 12:13
by "XJDano" (xjdano)
Published 08/08/2017 at 12:13
Tags: Equinox
; partslopnik
STARS: 1
The savings I got by buying parts on Amazon I’m spending at the dealer for hardware. I also ordered a $7 plastic carpet tab for the rear cargo area of the van.
"benjrblant" (benjblant)
08/08/2017 at 12:21, STARS: 1
I thoroughly inspect parts diagrams before starting a project. If a piece of hardware on my 20 year old vehicle is under a buck or two, I’ll often just replace it and keep the old for a spare if it’s still decent.
"XJDano" (xjdano)
08/08/2017 at 12:25, STARS: 1
Also by doing the work myself I’m saving money on labor costs. If I’m replacing parts anything I can put on the car new is better for me.
Maybe I’m being weird about it.
"benjrblant" (benjblant)
08/08/2017 at 12:27, STARS: 0
That’s how I feel as well. If I’m not paying $70-100/hr in labor, I’m ok with paying $13 for a stud- especially if it makes repeating the job in 10 years that much easier. I keep track of all that stuff here:
http://oppositelock.kinja.com/spreadsheets-maintenance-and-parts-1794504389
"XJDano" (xjdano)
08/08/2017 at 12:35, STARS: 1
I don’t computer, so I’m not quite as organized. I usually buy parts, put off as long as I can, the fix when it needs to pass inspection.
I have failed to keep any paperwork. But most of my cars are junkers when I’m through with them.
"Urambo Tauro" (urambotauro)
08/08/2017 at 12:37, STARS: 0
I sometimes make bad money decisions when I look at how much money I’m saving on labor. All things considered, I still come out on top, overall-cost-wise. But I’ve definitely spent much more than I needed to on certain things.
Probably one of the better examples of this was springing for an all-new aluminum driveshaft to replace my steel one when the “old” U-joints really weren’t that old at all. In fact, I had no need to replace any part of the shaft. I was just in the middle of rebuilding by axle with new bearings and clutch-packs, and I didn’t feel like bolting the old shaft back up to it.
"XJDano" (xjdano)
08/08/2017 at 12:42, STARS: 1
As long as it is an upgrade in addition to a repair.
$600 driveshaft that’s 2lb lighter when all you needed was a $15 u-joint. But the new driveshaft comes with new U-joints, and those are a PITA! New driveshafts bolt right in.
"Urambo Tauro" (urambotauro)
08/08/2017 at 13:02, STARS: 0
Fortunately, mine was only half that price (still a nice chunk o’ change, though). Yeah, I don’t think it’s an upgrade I can justify for a daily driver. I’m not sure if I can actually feel the difference or not. The car spent a few weeks on jack stands while I took my time learning how to rebuild the axle, so I might have lost a little of my feel for the old one by the time I had the wheels back on the ground. That, and likely a placebo effect...
"e36Jeff now drives a ZHP" (e36jeff)
08/08/2017 at 13:42, STARS: 0
That’s kinda expensive for a stud(and the bolt). Are they at least made of something that justifies the cost? The stud is basically the same price as the Inconel bolts BMW likes to use in their exahust: https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-bmw-parts/downpipe-bolt-priced-each/11621427586/
"pip bip - choose Corrour" (hhgttg69)
08/09/2017 at 06:11, STARS: 0
bargains