Parts On The Internet: I Give Up

[speedy72t]

strife,

I think you have unrealistic expectations. Wrong parts is part of the cost of being a DIY mechanic that you should expect. Ask any mechanic, dealer or independant, how often they receive the wrong parts and how much time and money that costs them. How often do we hear someone talk about their car being in the shop because the dealer doesn't have the right part yet? It also depends on the type of parts you are looking for. Tie rods should be no problem but try and get any interior pieces on an old Ford from the dealer. Lots of luck and NEVER scedule a weekend repair unless you have the parts in your hand. Unless you like to be pissed off. If you do, as you were.

[Strife]

Well, I don't think that these were obscure parts on an '81 Ford Fairmont that an aftermarket mfr would be crazy to tool up for. Anyway, I do expect that someone who does this for a living and has access to better parts books and CD's than I do would be able to do it correctly.

Speaking of Fords, I read on another website that the very expensive O2 sensor on the 560SL is the same as the $30 dollar one on an early-mid 90's Mustang 302 with a different wiring harness. I went to a Ford dealer and they didn't even list the P/N to that harness anymore (no biggie, but the O2 sensor will be more difficult to use). I think a lot of the modern parts philosophy is to only carry parts required to keep cars safe or moving after 7 years or so. What saves "us" is that there are a lot of MB's worldwide, and a lot of aftermarket mfr's willing to spend the money to tool up to make parts, in addition to MB's seeming commitment to older cars (and I hope that will last...).

I did the brakes and the front rotors on my Taurus this weekend (with the right parts). I could have been beaten with a tire iron in my old neighborhood for even being seen working on a Ford! But hey, money is money, and if you want something done right...

[speedy72t]

You missed my point entirely. Getting the wrong parts is par for the course. Yes the indy shops often have decent books and CD's but it just doesn't matter. Either the CD is wrong or the inventory is wrong or the truck driver just grabbed the wrong thing off of the counter. It happens ALL THE TIME. As for the 7 year bit. I had an old Ford up until last year. Getting parts for it at the dealership was an absolute joke. Litteraly a joke. When I walked in the counter guy started laughing and reached for the old books instead of the computer. Compare that to MB where I've been able to get things right off of the shelf for cars that are over forty years old.

Substitutions for O2 sensors is a very common practice. I personally don't like to rig a wiring harness together for something as sensitive as an O2