Do autoparts store carry Anything Anymore?

[Madman]

I have been putting some serious work into my Dana 44 as of late, and I really try to purchase parts locally to support my town, but when you can't get Dana 44 axle seals, or even Gear Tooth Marking compound, you have to ask WTF? THEY DON"T EVEN CARRY PRUSSIAN BLUE? You have got to be joking me! What the hell has happened to this world?

Sorry, but I have to bitch about this one a little.

[elgemcdlf]

You are working on a vehicle that is coming up close to 50 yrs old. Parts stores carry what sells. It is simple supply & demand. They should be able to have it for you next day in most cases.

[Madman]

They don't use Prussian blue anymore? A Dana differential is a rarity? I have to disagree with the supply and demand thing. Can't really think of a 4 wheeled vehicle that doesn't use reduction gears of some sort, and Dana's are still used in Jeeps. Don't believe either of these parts fall under the 50 year old rule.

[Steel Clydesdale]

Q: Do autoparts stores carry anything anymore?

A: Only what the average joe will buy frequently.
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Seems to me the local short list includes cleaning/polishing compounds, filters/lubricants, trinkets/gadgets and a few parts for 90's and up vehicles.

In my area there are quite a few old Fords on the road, so they carry carb kits and tuneup parts....but mainly, when I need serious repair parts, it's: "We don't have one in stock, but we can order it for you." Turnaround usually is at least a couple of days to a week.



If they made video games that teach car/truck repair, maybe the situation would be different.

[Madman]

Q: Do autoparts stores carry anything anymore?

A: Only what the average joe will buy frequently.
----------- -------------

Seems to me the local short list includes cleaning/polishing compounds, filters/lubricants, trinkets/gadgets and a few parts for 90's and up vehicles.

In my area there are quite a few old Fords on the road, so they carry carb kits and tuneup parts....but mainly, when I need serious repair parts, it's: "We don't have one in stock, but we can order it for you." Turnaround usually is at least a couple of days to a week.



If they made video games that teach car/truck repair, maybe the situation would be different.

[Subzero]

Same where I live. The stores do have tune up stuff but aside from that for our old trucks there's not much else. It took five days for my K&N air filter to come in. I was surprised they didn't have one at that store let alone all the stores in the whole area .

[elgemcdlf]

They don't use Prussian blue anymore? A Dana differential is a rarity? I have to disagree with the supply and demand thing. Can't really think of a 4 wheeled vehicle that doesn't use reduction gears of some sort, and Dana's are still used in Jeeps. Don't believe either of these parts fall under the 50 year old rule.

I am not going to get into any pissing match on the subject. Real life is axles are almost never touched in the lifetime of a vehicle. Simply not parts any company would stock unless a specialty company dealing in axles. Which by the way is where I would be looking. As to stain that would be best found in any machine shop supply. Any machine shop should be able to tell you where they get theirs. Dana went belly up in '07. That didn't help matters. Do a search on the net. There are a couple companies out there that specialize in Dana axles (parts). I helped a guy find parts he needed for a front axle some time back. Even then the companies I spoke with said some parts are simply no longer available.

[Steel Clydesdale]

Hey, Madman:

Here's one source for Dana44 parts--http://www.currieenterprises.com/cestore/alldana44.aspx
And another--http://www.drivetrainspecialists.com/
I have no personal experience with Currie or DTS but hey, it's a start, right?

Good luck!
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edited to add DTS

[Madman]

Hey, Madman:

Here's one source for Dana44 parts--http://www.currieenterprises.com/cestore/alldana44.aspx
And another--http://www.drivetrainspecialists.com/
I have no personal experience with Currie or DTS but hey, it's a start, right?

Good luck!
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edited to add DTS

Thanks...I have tons of sources for parts, just trying to buy local to support local.......

[Steel Clydesdale]

I hear ya about buying local.

Unfortunately, sometimes it's not possible/practical.

[68 Ford Stepside]

That's why LMC & Dennis Carpenter do so well. They sell parts you can't get anywhere else these days.My local three parts houses let me down a week ago. None of them stock a vented gas cap for a '68 F100.It's a sign of changed times.

[Madman]

That's why LMC & Dennis Carpenter do so well. They sell parts you can't get anywhere else these days.My local three parts houses let me down a week ago. None of them stock a vented gas cap for a '68 F100.It's a sign of changed times.

True dat, in gangsta Colorado Speak!

[FordTrucks247365]

I was feeling the same way out here in the woods until I went to visit my mother in New Orleans. I started going to the local O'reilly's by her and learned that I was now shopping at a main supply hub. It felt good that they had anything I wanted for my truck in stock. Perhaps try to find a main hub near you.

[Whateverman]

quick answer: no.
and sadly (around here at least )after you've waited a week (minimum) for the parts either the price has gone up for some reason the parts guy has dreamed up and/or it is the completely wrong piece (even though you gave them the correct part numbers because you didn't want to play the 'its too old its not in my computer " game)

[Donnie]

Prussian Blue, you should be able to source from a good NAPA store...Drive Train Specialitie's or Randy's Ring & Pinion are both good supplier's of hard parts.............Donnie