Thinking of going yto a U Pull It to find a part
 

for a 1992 Volvo 240. I can't seem to find it online so I thought I'd go to a self service salvage yard. How do those places work? Do I just bring my tools and they'll let me have at it with a Volvo?

I'd call them first. I have a few yards near me, but only one ever has more than one or two 240s at a time. Generally you bring your tools and pay a small fee to enter. They'll tell you where the imports are and where you might find the donor. Then you go try to find it and get what you need. The places I go have a bunch of wheel barrows that you can use to carry stuff back to the office. They also have engine hoists and forklifts if you need big stuff.
At check-out they check all your bags and ring you up for the items you purchased.
Pat

The odds of finding a 240 may be slim. When I had a 280Z I frequented these places a lot. Usually a couple bucks to get in and parts prices should be posted so there's no haggling. Take every tool you might need.

I absolutely love going to the pull your part places.

Bring some cardboard to lay on or coveralls. While they might have a place to wash your hands, gloves and some shop rags are important tools.

I've had luck asking if I could go in and make sure they have the year/model car I needed, then come back out and pay the admission.

Last time I walked through, it amazed me how many cars were missing their cylinder heads - must be a lot of leaky gaskets or broken timing belts out there...

The one in Fairfield would never give any info over the phone.
We would load up a wheelbarrow with tools and go!

It's quite a walk in and out sometimes.


KT

I sell on eBay all the time and I visit the wrecking yards once a week. You just bring your own tools. The selection of cars changes monthly.

I sell a small amount of Volvo parts - what are you looking for? I currently have set of exterior mirrors (glass only) for a 240. That's all I have right now, but I could keep an eye out for you if you need something specific.

Vern

What sells well on ebay that's worth it after your time? Mirrors? trim? The self-serve yards here are absolutely choked w/ Benzes/Volvos/BMWs/Jags/etc. but what's always kept me from selling parts on ebay is that body parts are cheap and a biotch to ship. Same w/ cylinder heads.

For heavier parts, a 4 wheeled garden cart better than a wheelbarrow...no balance problems, plus good for packing out a jack & tools...

Yep, been there...really kind of a fun way to spend time. Treasure hunting, plus imagining the stories the wrecks can tell.

My most recent trip was getting a spare tire/wheel along with the jack, lug wrench, & mounting brackets out of a wrecked '09 Mustang GT. While there, got a spare set of front floor mats, all for $100. Cleaning up the floor mats, found long blonde hairs. Found myself hoping whoever she was, she wasn't seriously hurt...

I'm really looking forward to going to the U Pull It now. It'll be an adventure, I think.

Vern, I need a power window motor for the right rear passenger. The rear deck is missing its carpet or material. Lastly need a wiring harness for the left rear lights assembly as my tail lights keep going on and off. I'll try to get these on my own too.

edit

Thanks for reminding me, pwd72s. I need a spare tire/wheel too.

chris, i am going to be pissed if you dont invite me. brings back memories. my friends and i once got trapped by the guard dogs. the owner forgot about us, and let the dogs loose. we climbed up a pile of crap and whistled for the owner. he felt bad. it was great! we found that a power steering assembly from ANY AMC car would fit on a Jeep CJ. we pulled the PS pump from a AMC eagle or something. cheap, fun...

gloves, a tarp, and dog biscuits. along with some tools.

a lot more 940 and 740's then 240's in the local yards
most of the mech bits swap but few of the trim bits do

and 240 may look the same but have many running changes
el-trick bits are a whole nother can of worms too

safest bet is same year car built in the same country
as not all volvo's are sweds

I absolutely love going to the self-serve yards in and around L.A. Rust-free cars with lots of valuable parts on them, I've saved a fortune over the years fixing my "driver" cars. No 911s in pick-a-part, though.

I dragged Rick Lee to one the last time he was in town. I'm like a kid in a candy store out there. The absolute best implement to have is a little red rider wagon. Always wanted one for this purpose and just finally got one today for free, it's the HD model w/ big inflatable tires and a big bed. I'm in hog heaven. :D

***Warning Geek-Girl post ahead**** :D

I absolutely LOVE u-pull wrecking yards! The one we have here periodically does a bucket special on the cars they are going to crush. Everything you can fit in a 5 gallon bucket (yes, it can stick out of the top) is $5. I've only done the $5 bucket thing one time. I filled it full of european fasteners, rubber trim bits, fuses, relays, H4 style headlamp connectors, weather connectors, etc.

Some etiquette... Don't break stuff, bring the right tool or leave it alone. If you get the part off and realize it's the wrong one or not good or you just find a better one, leave the part inside of the same car you removed it from. Alot of people will just toss it into any car that's nearby or drop it on the ground. Not cool. Your junk might be exactly what the next person needs. If you locate the car you need parts from and the parts aren't there, look inside of the car and inside of the trunk (where they may have been tossed).

If you find something you need that is difficult to remove and expensive, go back and ask what the price will be BEFORE you take it off. Bring plastic bags to wrap dirty parts in so that you don't mess up your own car. Something to lay one (e.g. cardboard) works great but a beater rubber floor mat works well, too.

Have fun!
angela

Does anyone else think they fall for Angela a little more after she has a post like that? :D

A cordless impact works great in these situations too. As Angela said, if it's a part that could be messy, bring a few latex gloves along too. Water if it's hot, and you are going to be there a while.

I like to look around, and see what you can find on cars that parts should never be on. I once found a PERFECT Plum Crazy Road Runner horn on an old Cadillac.

went to the pick n pull in Fairfield a few months back, and was amazed at what was there...pretty certain there were 240's there, but can't remember for sure. There was however a bunch of 944/924's...and even a 924 turbo...

Now you got me interested -- where is the yard in Fairfield ?

Found it -

Yes, Denis opened my eyes to a whole new world. Had never been to a place like that before. If I buy a truck soon, I might start making trips to such places to find oddball Euro hardware and do some eBaying.

One time in Fairfield, some yahoo gets on the P.A. and says:
Another time the guy comes on says:

Fun yard.



KT

Just a short story.... My dad who is 75 decided he wanted a "new" truck. So he finds a 68 Chevy pickup that is mostly intact.... except for the rust holes and missing pieces. So for the last year or so he's been making at least weekly trips to the local u-pickit. He's gotten several doors, all his window glass and tons of small parts. I'm sure by the time he's done he will have enough parts for a second truck.

Its pretty entertaining for him and fun for me to tag along at times.

Jay