There are just some days I wish I didn't turn wrenches

[OR VietVet]

That's a hefty sum.

That is for myself and 3 vehicles and my customer vehicles. That is not counting what I would have bought from ebay or NAPA or O'reilly's or salvage yards. No money spent at Dealers either.

 

[homesick]

I do a lot of business with Auto Zone and Rock Auto but getting in and out of the AZ parking lot is a PITA and there is sometimes homeless to deal with. The local/closer NAPA wants my business and I am going to see them on Monday and try to work out a better discount than just the military discount. I went back to when I started using RA on 04/02/14 and to today's date I have spent $24,072.62 with them and since 04/05/22 with AZ have spent $16,519.84 and both total $40,592.46.

I've heard that NAPA's parts are better than other chain stores' are. Is this, or was it ever, true? If not, is there a chain you most trust?

joe

 

[OR VietVet]

I've heard that NAPA's parts are better than other chain stores' are. Is this, or was it ever, true? If not, is there a chain you most trust?

joe

I trust NAPA parts because I have never had a problem with their parts, especially Eichlin components. I also like O'reilly's parts as well. I really have had no problems with the AZ parts but as I said, PITA parking lot and homeless. The NAPA store is in Springfield, Or. instead of Eugene, Or. I SPFD, Or. they do not allow the homeless to hang around and live on the sidewalk and beg and just generally be a PITA. In Eugene, Or. it is wide open.

Do a search and look up The Oregon Country Fair in Veneta, Or. Is going on now till close up on Sunday night. Has been going on for 56 years. It is just like a mini Woodstock.

Some of the homeless are worse than drugged out ruthless Country Fair people.

The NAPA store is closer to where I live, too.

 

[Fless]

I've heard that NAPA's parts are better than other chain stores' are. Is this, or was it ever, true? If not, is there a chain you most trust?

joe

Some of the lower-priced NAPA parts are re-boxed Dorman and other manufacturer parts. I believe that the Echlin line is specific to NAPA and are not re-boxed parts (so those are likely better quality, relatively speaking).

 

[OR VietVet]

Some of the lower-priced NAPA parts are re-boxed Dorman and other manufacturer parts. I believe that the Echlin line is specific to NAPA and are not re-boxed parts (so those are likely better quality, relatively speaking).

Never had any problems with their steering and suspension components either.

I am seeing more and more, at AZ, new hires that one of them disgusts me. A he that dresses as a she, with a skirt and make up and just makes me sick. The new hires will say things after I ask for transmission clutch parts and then they ask if is manual or automatic. I literally walked out. There is a retired ASE Master Tech there that sells parts and is a manager but I don't get lucky to have him all the time. Plus, the cramped parking lot because it is in a shopping center and the parking spots are slightly narrower for more spots allowed. The homeless don't help either. The NAPA store is a warehouse and have a great inventory and the parking lot is just for them and is huge and and like I said earlier in this thread, no homeless to deal with.

 

[homesick]

I trust NAPA parts because I have never had a problem with their parts, especially Eichlin components. I also like O'reilly's parts as well. I really have had no problems with the AZ parts but as I said, PITA parking lot and homeless. The NAPA store is in Springfield, Or. instead of Eugene, Or. I SPFD, Or. they do not allow the homeless to hang around and live on the sidewalk and beg and just generally be a PITA. In Eugene, Or. it is wide open.

Do a search and look up The Oregon Country Fair in Veneta, Or. Is going on now till close up on Sunday night. Has been going on for 56 years. It is just like a mini Woodstock.

Some of the homeless are worse than drugged out ruthless Country Fair people.

The NAPA store is closer to where I live, too.

Thank you, Sir.

joe

 

[OR VietVet]

Getting a 2005 Tahoe LS dropped off in about 15 minutes, for some easy work. Plugs, wires, ignition coils, clean MAF and clean throttle body. It is the same one I did the driver's door hinge pins on and also did the brake pedal pivot bushing on.

When I am done with it, she is gonna bring her 1991 K2500 5.7 over for oil cooler lines and adaptor fittings at the oil filter housing. New headlight assemblies and new band clamps on the add on transmission cooler rubber lines. They are not leaking now but will because of the worm gear clamps on there. Also replacing the mercury activated under hood light and the roll out engine compartment light, too.

Also gonna do a real quick look at a possible intermittent a/c inop problem. When works is cold. Recent driving, started blowing warm and then shut off and restarted the next morning and fine now since then. Only happened one time. Sneaking suspension that it is a high pressure switch. Possible clutch cycling switch at the accumulator, too.

 

[PPV_2018]

The new hires will say things after I ask for transmission clutch parts and then they ask if is manual or automatic. I literally walked out.

i mean they are just doing their job. Unfortunately like every other business, autozone is struggling to retain employees that actually have knowledge and/or give a damn about basically anything. There is a deeper issue in society that is responsible for this, but unfortunately its too complex to discuss here, plus i digress — anyways,

They ask what the computer tells them to ask, and they have no idea about anything car related. Can’t be worse than the auto zones down here, it’s all people that probably just came from working at Wendy’s. Not a sleight against people working at Wendy’s , but I’m just saying they know nothing automobile and can’t help you other than what the computer or OBD scanner says. Can i get a headlight for my Silverado? OK, 2 door or 4 door? V6 or v8? Is it vinyl or cloth interior? wtf.. this questionnaire is beyond ridiculous, but again.. they’re just doing their jobs.. so i try to be cool & go along with it

 

[mountie]

i mean they are just doing their job. Unfortunately like every other business, autozone is struggling to retain employees that actually have knowledge and/or give a damn about basically anything. There is a deeper issue in society that is responsible for this, but unfortunately its too complex to discuss here, plus i digress — anyways,

They ask what the computer tells them to ask, and they have no idea about anything car related. Can’t be worse than the auto zones down here, it’s all people that probably just came from working at Wendy’s. Not a sleight against people working at Wendy’s , but I’m just saying they know nothing automobile and can’t help you other than what the computer or OBD scanner says. Can i get a headlight for my Silverado? OK, 2 door or 4 door? V6 or v8? Is it vinyl or cloth interior? wtf.. this questionnaire is beyond ridiculous, but again.. they’re just doing their jobs.. so i try to be cool & go along with it

There was an O'Reily parts store, 6 years ago, where all the people were car guys....
I moved , and an Autozone has one "old car guy" that I talk to... The rest seem to be DEI hires......
Napa is worse for DEI hires..... ( Notice their commercials? )

 

[OR VietVet]

3.5 hours later, I removed the wires, ignition coils, coil racks, spark plugs, installed all new parts and cleaned the MAF sensor and throttle body. If you look close, there was one plug on each side, #3 and #6 that had a small amount of carbon misfire buildup but it never set a code or even felt like there was a misfire. Road tested and ran out great with a smooth idle.

She is dropping off the 1991 K2500 5.7 on Sunday afternoon for Sunday and Monday work, if needed. Oil cooler lines and adaptor fittings at oil filter housing, new headlamp assemblies, new band clamps on the rubber lines for the added on transmission cooler, to replace the worm gear clamps.

 

[TollKeeper]

Looks to be missing 2 Exhaust mani bolts on the drivers side. Cant tell on the pass side.

 

[89Suburban]

3.5 hours later, I removed the wires, ignition coils, coil racks, spark plugs, installed all new parts and cleaned the MAF sensor and throttle body. If you look close, there was one plug on each side, #3 and #6 that had a small amount of carbon misfire buildup but it never set a code or even felt like there was a misfire. Road tested and ran out great with a smooth idle.

She is dropping off the 1991 K2500 5.7 on Sunday afternoon for Sunday and Monday work, if needed. Oil cooler lines and adaptor fittings at oil filter housing, new headlamp assemblies, new band clamps on the rubber lines for the added on transmission cooler, to replace the worm gear clamps.

View attachment 462673View attachment 462674View attachment 462675View attachment 462676View attachment 462677View attachment 462678

Push for those heater tees!

 

[OR VietVet]

Looks to be missing 2 Exhaust mani bolts on the drivers side. Cant tell on the pass side.

I have told her of them before and the clamp kits for them and she is holding back because she cannot hear them. I have tried 2 different times. Good catch, by the way. I have 3 clamp kits on my own 2005 Tahoe Z71 and showed her but I cannot make her do it, yet.

Push for those heater tees!

Those heater tees have already been done by my shop owner buddy in Junction City, Oregon.

 

[OR VietVet]

Looks to be missing 2 Exhaust mani bolts on the drivers side. Cant tell on the pass side.

I just talked to her again and reminded her that the exhaust clamps should be done before her planned trip to Ca. in August. She is coming over in the morning for inspection.

 

[Fless]

What's the reason for new coils? Mileage?

 

[OR VietVet]

What's the reason for new coils? Mileage?

Yes, mileage. A couple have been replaced over the 190k miles on it. I have seen the 1st owner and her paperwork for the Tahoe. She is taking a trip and wants to be ahead of the game. I recommended that while I get my discounts at RA and sell them to her for same price, now is the time to do it.

She is spending some money that she got when I helped her sell her 1965 Mustang convertible. It needed a clutch but I told her that replacing it before sale, she may not get that money out of it. Reason is, her driver's door VIN tag was missing and that would cost her some money.

 

[OBSandaNNBS]

Never had any problems with their steering and suspension components either.

I am seeing more and more, at AZ, new hires that one of them disgusts me. A he that dresses as a she, with a skirt and make up and just makes me sick. The new hires will say things after I ask for transmission clutch parts and then they ask if is manual or automatic. I literally walked out. There is a retired ASE Master Tech there that sells parts and is a manager but I don't get lucky to have him all the time. Plus, the cramped parking lot because it is in a shopping center and the parking spots are slightly narrower for more spots allowed. The homeless don't help either. The NAPA store is a warehouse and have a great inventory and the parking lot is just for them and is huge and and like I said earlier in this thread, no homeless to deal with.

Yuck! Yikes! Yuck again!

I replied to say I've had luck with my local Advance Auto Parts, a couple knowledgeable-ish younger guys. They have had GM Genuine at very reasonable prices for "in stock, come get it"

I told the feller this saved my rear and he 'splained to me that they are a warehouse/hub store so they have a wide variety.

Don't y'all know that NAPA means No Auto Parts Available?

 

[OR VietVet]

Yuck! Yikes! Yuck again!

I replied to say I've had luck with my local Advance Auto Parts, a couple knowledgeable-ish younger guys. They have had GM Genuine at very reasonable prices for "in stock, come get it"

I told the feller this saved my rear and he 'splained to me that they are a warehouse/hub store so they have a wide variety.

Don't y'all know that NAPA means No Auto Parts Available?

I am gonna use the NAPA for parts but I am still gonna have to buy some small stuff at AZ because NAPA does not take waste oil. The AZ does. I walk in with a 5 gallon container of used oil and they dump it while I wait.

 

[OBSandaNNBS]

I am gonna use the NAPA for parts but I am still gonna have to buy some small stuff at AZ because NAPA does not take waste oil. The AZ does. I walk in with a 5 gallon container of used oil and they dump it while I wait.

Whaaaaaat? I thought there was some sort of legislation that if they sell it, they gotta take it?

I just have a 55 gallon drum I'm filling up and gonna surprise the new owner of the house with when I sell

 

[OR VietVet]

Whaaaaaat? I thought there was some sort of legislation that if they sell it, they gotta take it?

I just have a 55 gallon drum I'm filling up and gonna surprise the new owner of the house with when I sell

No, they do not have to take it. I have a close Jiffy Lube that I talked to about taking oil and they said they would but they have different people on different shifts and some may say no.