(Not so) Obscure Parts and Project Derailment

MAS956 · 03-10-2003, 07:24 PM

Okay, this is more of a rant than anything, but I sure would like to gather some good ideas on where to find relatively simple parts locally.

About a week ago or so, I finally had gotten what I thought was all the hardware necessary to replace my engine and tranny mounts. I even bought new engine mount bolts from our host as the originals looked tired and they were in the catalog.

Three of the four mounts went in fairly uneventfully (okay the A/C stuff is a PITA on the p/s engine mount), but as I went to install the second tranny mount, I noticed that the bolt that's supposed to secure the mount to the body is missing! Gee, no wonder shifting that 915 is a bit of a challenge!!!!

Long story short(er), I can't finish my project w/o that bolt. It's Saturday about 2 p.m. and my local dealer (Niello in Sacto.) is 30 mins away. PITA, but what the hell, I needed a break. Called ahead just to be safe and, of course, IT'S A SPECIAL ORDER ITEM, and a $17 one to boot! A week later, the bolt's still not in yet - apparently the dealer would rather sell $70k water pumpers than $17 bolts (percentage markup-wise the bolt's probably more profitable!).

I hate that sinking feeling when you realize that you need something you don't have to finish your project. Could I have just gone to Home Depot and found a temporary bolt until the right part arrived? Our host also volunteered to source the part from the dealer. Silly me thinking something so trivial would be easier/quicker through the local dealer.

Okay, I feel better now. Thanks for letting me vent, and oh, btw, that damned bolt "should" be in tomorrow. PCA discount? You bet yerass!!!!

steve911 · steve911's Garage

Mark--
don't know if you already thought of this, but you might try silverstar recycling up near you or EASY or ParsHeaven (both in the Bay Area) for some of those parts also.

Harlan Chinn · Harlan Chinn's Garage

Sounds like your local dealer doesn't want your business. Our dealer here in the Seattle like any good dealer should be able to access parts through the Porsche North America network where through their computer system order and get any part that is in stock at any of their warehouses either in Canada or Atlanta by noon the next day. I have as a last resort procured parts in this manner. Next time ask them about the "Emergency Part Delivery Service" and it shouldn't cost any more than they already charge less your PCA discount.

cowtown · 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mark Sides
...my local dealer (Niello in Sacto.) is 30 mins away. PITA, but what the hell, I needed a break. Called ahead just to be safe and, of course, IT'S A SPECIAL ORDER ITEM, and a $17 one to boot! A week later, the bolt's still not in yet - apparently the dealer would rather sell $70k water pumpers than $17 bolts (percentage markup-wise the bolt's probably more profitable!).

Niello's parts department is such a joke that I don't even bother calling them anymore. Couple months ago, I asked for a price on intermediate shaft bearings, and then had to explain exactly what they were and where they went. Then got put on hold for about 10 minutes. Finally he comes back and says "what part of the transmission are those in again?" ...Backordered, twice the going price, must be flown in by carrier pigeon from Germany, etc.

Anyway, good luck finishing up, and rant away, it's entertaining. We all have been there/are going there again soon.

EDIT- PS Mark, if you really get stuck PM me and you can borrow the bolt from my '75 for a while.

makaio · 03-11-2003, 05:59 PM

Purchased mine at the local hardware store. I think it's just a regular metric grade 8 bolt.

dtw · 03-11-2003, 07:11 PM

I was at the local dealer parts counter hunting down a part in the microfiche with the parts counter lady. Out of idle curiosity, she pointed to a torsion bar and asked "what's that".

She nearly hit me when I said it was a "spring"...when I tried to explain it, I really thought she was going to throw me out.

Rot 911 · 03-12-2003, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by makaio
Purchased mine at the local hardware store. I think it's just a regular metric grade 8 bolt.

That where I get almost all my nuts and bolts. Why pay the extra dollars any where else?

Tim Walsh · Tim Walsh's Garage

I've been working with foreign cars italia trying to get a 14 pin connector I broke. They've been extremely helpfull and have special ordered several extra peices that COULD be it just to make sure I've got the right piece. I'll go back when pelican doesn't have the right part.

FranksPlace2 · 03-12-2003, 09:33 AM

My local dealer, Crescent City Porsche, has been great. I have had about 6 or 8 special orders, generally $25 or less and they have filled them promptly. They took back a couple of wrong items, got the right decal for my fan housing and even got me an original key.

They advertise in Excellence so they are trying to develop a national business.

howie944 · 03-12-2003, 10:50 PM

Your next trip to Niello will be a big surprise. I've been going there since 94 when I bought my 944 and they were at their old location. The parts dept used to be loaded with Porsche gee gaws ..Now its been taken over by Acura. Even the display cases have more Acura stuff than Porsche. Most stuff you need from them for older 911s has to be ordered (things you can't get from Wayne). Since the HQ moved from Reno to Atlanta it takes a bit longer to get stuff even though they are supposed to have a warehouse in Ontario (CA).