i work at autozone. i have never had any bad luck personally but every now and again, you get someone coming in with a failed part. not too common at my store but others is almost daily.

why is everyone hatin?

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1981 300 SD 213k miles "Stock for now"
1999 Super Duty 7.3L 113k miles
1981 300 SD 180k miles "Heavily modified" SOLD

Nobody is "hatin" we are just telling our personal experiences.

I personally have grown tired of buying inferior, many times Chinese-made parts from inexperienced counter people who seem to be completely baffled when I ask for something that the computer doesn't seem to reference. Many times I have had to ask for the book so I could look the part up myself.

I have found that if I go 1/8 mile down the street, I can buy quality made parts from the local parts house with brands I recognize at prices usually very competitive with AZ or Advance Auto, plus I can hold an intelligent conversation with the person behind the counter instead of just getting a blank stare like I have just asked for a part for the space shuttle.

It is almost humorous to watch the expression on the typical AZ or Advance counterperson's face change to utter despair when they hear the word Mercedes. Usually, after a token ten-second search of the all-knowing computer they assure me that my part can only be secured from the dealer.

As far as rebuilt parts, you certainly get what you pay for. The AZ parts are cheap for a reason--you can't do a complete rebuild, ie. replace all bearings, bushings, brushes, voltage regulator, diodes, clean, refinish, test, package and market an alternator for the price they charge--which is exactly why they just replace what is bad and leave the rest. I can buy the part that is bad and replace it myself, which makes my repair as good as their rebuild, plus I know mine will work.

Youngbenz, don't take any of that personally, you may be a very competent and experienced counterperson and I wish you well, I was just stating my experiences.

God that is so true. I was in a hurry because I need my car up and running, so I purchased an alternator from Autozone and it didn't fit into the bracket in my car. They keep on stating that it was the correct part number and that is the part number the computer stated. I'm like the bolt holes don't line up.

So I rebuilt my alternator at a local shop here in Austin, and I purchased a rebuilt starter when that went out from the same place. Please don't purchase Alternators & starters from AutoZone they are going to die on you and then you have to rebuild them again.

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Professional greasecar installer
Austin TX


98 Jetta TDI with grease car kit + veg-therm (totaled)
87 MB 300SDL running on B99 / greasecar kit + 30 fphe
www.austingreaseguys.com

If you consider changing alternators to be fun, then Autozone should be your vendor. Use their rebuilt junk and you'll be partying all the time.

Local rebuilders can be just as bad as AZ, if not worse. I had a co-worker who used a local rebuilder because they also included free installation. When his alternator went bad under warranty they charged him to replace it because "replacement labor" was not included.

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DJ


84 300D Turbodiesel 190K with 4 speed manual sold in 03/2012

Local rebuilders are like anything else, there are good ones and bad ones. I'm lucky. In the small town that I live 20 miles away from, I have dealt with two local shops that have both done Exemplary work. The stuff I've used from the local AZ have been junk almost every time.

Party ,LoL .Open up the parts box and get a free ballon and confettie with your rebuilt prize.

That is precisely the strategy used by some chain brake and muffler shops. They install very cheap parts and offer a lifetime warranty. That brings the customer back every couple of years, where they pay through the nose for the labor to install some more poor quality parts.

I'm in a small town that has a rebuilder that has been in business for 30+ years ( a good sign). I have brought them domestic and foreign parts, boat parts (outboard and inboard), and odds and ends like power window regulators. They are typically 50-75% of the price of a rebuild at the local chain parts place. You get the same casing that came out of your vehicle, so you know it fits back in. Drop it off in the morning and usually get same day service. Not bad for me, but could be an issue if you need it immediately.

They also provide expertise when you need it. My boat has a Chevy big block, and was hard to start when hot. They looked at the starter and determined I had a "standard" torque starter. They upgraded the internals to high torque and fixed the issue.

Good luck with your fix.

I've had to switch out an Autozone starter (on a w115) THREE TIMES.

They would crank and work for a day, and then all the torque was gone.


I got fed up real fast. I goto return the last one; They didn't want to offer cash back - Just another "rebuilt" starter. Dropped the starter on the table and had them "test" it on their machine. I had cash in had five minutes into them messing around with the machine - the starter was no less then a week old and completely toast.


I bought an OEM starter from Roy (who seems to collect these parts for just the occasion) and and it rebuilt locally.

If your in the SE-Michigan area, Global Re-Manufacturing and Bill's Suburban both do amazing work.

The starter I ended up with I didn't want to put in the car - it was to pretty. New solenoid, fresh gear and a nice paintjob to boot!





It's six months later, the starter still works like the day I installed it!

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-1983 VW Rabbit LS Diesel (5speed, VNT/Giles build)