Good place for auto parts?

[jjzelinski]

I could've sworn I saw a car care sub forum here a couple of days back... oh well

I'm always impressed by the myriad backgrounds and insights offered by the AT community so I hopefully some kind soul might give me a hand with a car related pickle I'm in.

The bushings in both my control arms (2004 Chevy Malibu) have crapped out on me and despute how odd this is there doesn't appear to be any kind recall in place for said issue (seems to be relatively common though.) I only have 40k miles on it Anyhow, my warranties up so I need to repair this in an inexpensive way which pretty much amounts to me repairing myself. And that brings me to my request!

Can any of you recommend the best route I could go about getting my hands on replacement right and left control arms online? I has to be online and shippable because I'm a USAF member currently stationed in Germany (they want to charge me 160 euro *a pop*!)

Thanks for the help ATOT!

JZ

 

[steppinthrax]

Originally posted by: jjzelinski
I could've sworn I saw a car care sub forum here a couple of days back... oh well

I'm always impressed by the myriad backgrounds and insights offered by the AT community so I hopefully some kind soul might give me a hand with a car related pickle I'm in.

The bushings in both my control arms (2004 Chevy Malibu) have crapped out on me and despute how odd this is there doesn't appear to be any kind recall in place for said issue (seems to be relatively common though.) I only have 40k miles on it Anyhow, my warranties up so I need to repair this in an inexpensive way which pretty much amounts to me repairing myself. And that brings me to my request!

Can any of you recommend the best route I could go about getting my hands on replacement right and left control arms online? I has to be online and shippable because I'm a USAF member currently stationed in Germany (they want to charge me 160 euro *a pop*!)

Thanks for the help ATOT!

JZ

That is American Cars for ya. 40K miles is practically brand new. Foreign cars don't exhibit this type of behavior. 100K for a Toyota or Honda is just breaking in. Why don't you try the Junkyard. There is a website called Yard Dog that sends an email to multiple junkyard around your zip code...

 

[J0hnny]

You're in luck!

I use www.drivewire.com religiously for all autoparts!

I just changed the rear shocks, bushings, mounts etc. on my Honda.

Edit: They are by far the cheapest out of all the internet retailers.

 

[ViviTheMage]

shipping will probably be a KILLER.

is your chevy in europe?

 

[jjzelinski]

Well my zipcode unfortunately corresponds to a location that is 3000 miles away (I'm military stationed overseas.)

As for American cards, this has most definitely left a bad taste in my mouth. This is bordering on ridiculous, in fact. 40k!

I can't afford to even think about a new car right now, but if I did I'd be leaning towards a Toyota Camry or Honda accord. Nice normal, efficient, accommodating sedans that don't spaz out right after the warranty expires.

 

[jjzelinski]

Originally posted by: J0hnny
You're in luck!

I use www.drivewire.com religiously for all autoparts!

I just changed the rear shocks, bushings, mounts etc. on my Honda.

Edit: They are by far the cheapest out of all the internet retailers.

Gah!!!

"Sorry this product could not be found at this time. Try Searching our Accessories Catalog - Click Here or Please call (800) 895-8910 for pricing and availability for this product"

 

[FoBoT]

Originally posted by: ViviTheMage
shipping will probably be a KILLER.

if they ship to APO's it should be reasonable

 

[ViviTheMage]

Originally posted by: jjzelinski

Originally posted by: J0hnny
You're in luck!

I use www.drivewire.com religiously for all autoparts!

I just changed the rear shocks, bushings, mounts etc. on my Honda.

Edit: They are by far the cheapest out of all the internet retailers.

Gah!!!

"Sorry this product could not be found at this time. Try Searching our Accessories Catalog - Click Here or Please call (800) 895-8910 for pricing and availability for this product"

I got that when searching for a TPS for my girlfriends grand am

 

[BillGates]

Also try http://www.rockauto.com

 

[jjzelinski]

Originally posted by: BillGates
Also try http://www.rockauto.com

Thanks, they had the part but shipping was killer! $65 I have it book marked though...

 

[Ktulu]

Originally posted by: steppinthrax

Originally posted by: jjzelinski
I could've sworn I saw a car care sub forum here a couple of days back... oh well

I'm always impressed by the myriad backgrounds and insights offered by the AT community so I hopefully some kind soul might give me a hand with a car related pickle I'm in.

The bushings in both my control arms (2004 Chevy Malibu) have crapped out on me and despute how odd this is there doesn't appear to be any kind recall in place for said issue (seems to be relatively common though.) I only have 40k miles on it Anyhow, my warranties up so I need to repair this in an inexpensive way which pretty much amounts to me repairing myself. And that brings me to my request!

Can any of you recommend the best route I could go about getting my hands on replacement right and left control arms online? I has to be online and shippable because I'm a USAF member currently stationed in Germany (they want to charge me 160 euro *a pop*!)

Thanks for the help ATOT!

JZ

That is American Cars for ya. 40K miles is practically brand new. Foreign cars don't exhibit this type of behavior. 100K for a Toyota or Honda is just breaking in. Why don't you try the Junkyard. There is a website called Yard Dog that sends an email to multiple junkyard around your zip code...

You're absolutely correct. I don't think I've seen one foreign car dealership with a service department. They just don't need em.

 

[steppinthrax]

Originally posted by: Ktulu

Originally posted by: steppinthrax

Originally posted by: jjzelinski
I could've sworn I saw a car care sub forum here a couple of days back... oh well

I'm always impressed by the myriad backgrounds and insights offered by the AT community so I hopefully some kind soul might give me a hand with a car related pickle I'm in.

The bushings in both my control arms (2004 Chevy Malibu) have crapped out on me and despute how odd this is there doesn't appear to be any kind recall in place for said issue (seems to be relatively common though.) I only have 40k miles on it Anyhow, my warranties up so I need to repair this in an inexpensive way which pretty much amounts to me repairing myself. And that brings me to my request!

Can any of you recommend the best route I could go about getting my hands on replacement right and left control arms online? I has to be online and shippable because I'm a USAF member currently stationed in Germany (they want to charge me 160 euro *a pop*!)

Thanks for the help ATOT!

JZ

That is American Cars for ya. 40K miles is practically brand new. Foreign cars don't exhibit this type of behavior. 100K for a Toyota or Honda is just breaking in. Why don't you try the Junkyard. There is a website called Yard Dog that sends an email to multiple junkyard around your zip code...

You're absolutely correct. I don't think I've seen one foreign car dealership with a service department. They just don't need em.

I remember my Dad had a 95 Toyota Camry. He bought it new. He put 212K miles on it. When he got rid of it the car was still doing great. I think he only really replaced the alternator twice and did general tune ups at the toyota dealership.

 

[Ktulu]

Originally posted by: steppinthrax

Originally posted by: Ktulu

Originally posted by: steppinthrax

Originally posted by: jjzelinski
I could've sworn I saw a car care sub forum here a couple of days back... oh well

I'm always impressed by the myriad backgrounds and insights offered by the AT community so I hopefully some kind soul might give me a hand with a car related pickle I'm in.

The bushings in both my control arms (2004 Chevy Malibu) have crapped out on me and despute how odd this is there doesn't appear to be any kind recall in place for said issue (seems to be relatively common though.) I only have 40k miles on it Anyhow, my warranties up so I need to repair this in an inexpensive way which pretty much amounts to me repairing myself. And that brings me to my request!

Can any of you recommend the best route I could go about getting my hands on replacement right and left control arms online? I has to be online and shippable because I'm a USAF member currently stationed in Germany (they want to charge me 160 euro *a pop*!)

Thanks for the help ATOT!

JZ

That is American Cars for ya. 40K miles is practically brand new. Foreign cars don't exhibit this type of behavior. 100K for a Toyota or Honda is just breaking in. Why don't you try the Junkyard. There is a website called Yard Dog that sends an email to multiple junkyard around your zip code...

You're absolutely correct. I don't think I've seen one foreign car dealership with a service department. They just don't need em.

I remember my Dad had a 95 Toyota Camry. He bought it new. He put 212K miles on it. When he got rid of it the car was still doing great. I think he only really replaced the alternator twice and did general tune ups at the toyota dealership.

Like I said, you correct. I usually don't like to generalize but when it comes to foreign automakers I don't think I've seen one car need anything other regular maintenance. Too bad my '04 Silverado is literally falling apart................................NOT. Our '98 S10 looks and runs just as great as the day we bought it.

 

[KMc]

[sarcasm] Yes, this is normal for ALL American cars. Didn't you know that after 40K miles, you just throw them away? [/sarcasm]

 

[ponyo]

I don't know if they ship overseas but GM Parts House has competitive prices on new GM parts. Gene Culley provides excellent service. If you're going to buy GM parts, you might want to do it before July 1st. GM is supposed to raise prices significantly then.

 

[SandInMyShoes]

Does anyone really think that control arm bushings and ball joints are really any better on foreign cars than on domestics? I've lived on dirt roads all my life, and everyone I know has had to replace ball joints and tie rod ends at some time or another. I had to on my Saturn at 100k (regularly driven on dirt roads for the last 35k), and they're going out on my friend's Honda Pilot after only ~25k of regular dirt miles. Potholes are a killer on suspension parts, and dirt roads really make you appreciate cars with separate ball joints rather than integrated on the control arm!

 

[jjzelinski]

Originally posted by: SandInMyShoes
Does anyone really think that control arm bushings and ball joints are really any better on foreign cars than on domestics? I've lived on dirt roads all my life, and everyone I know has had to replace ball joints and tie rod ends at some time or another. I had to on my Saturn at 100k (regularly driven on dirt roads for the last 35k), and they're going out on my friend's Honda Pilot after only ~25k of regular dirt miles. Potholes are a killer on suspension parts, and dirt roads really make you appreciate cars with separate ball joints rather than integrated on the control arm!

The roads here in Germany are very well maintained and very smooth. The only thing I can guess that may have contributed to their premature deterioration is the windiness of the roads coulped with the speed. Lots of weight shifting and what not around curves and switchbacks.

So far the best deal I've found for replacing both my control arms is through Autozone. $65 each and they ship to APO for free (yay!)

 

[Colt45]

You're in germany, and you drive a malibu?

Anyways.. malibu is on the same platform as a vectra... maybe by some chance they use the same arms?
Go talk to an Opel dealer...?

 

[OVERKILL]

I found RockAuto.com to be the cheapest online vendor so far.

Just do a comparison price check between some of the sites suggested and use the cheapest if you so desire.

 

[OulOat]

On the same topic, anyone have any experience using one of Magnaflow's Catalytic Converters?

 

[Twista]

www.rockauto.com