Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with carparts

Where have all the control arms gone...?

FatherDagon — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 08:42:23 -0800

Where did all the xB control arms go? I've been looking online trying to find a replacement lower control arm for my 06 Scion xB, and apparently there was a design change between the arms used in the 05, and the ones in the 06. I'm able to find control arms all over for 05 and earlier xBs, but after that I'm getting nothing.

Is there a reason the 06 arms are so scarce to find? The 05 arms usually sell for around 70-90 bucks, but the 06 version appears to only be available through the dealership and costs somewhere in the 400-500 dollar range.

Help me find a hit-and-run driver!

janerica — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 09:50:47 -0800

Can you identify this GM car part? My sister's car was significantly damaged by a hit-and-run driver last night. I know what color the other car was from some paint transfer. I also found an amber light cover (?) on the ground next to her car. It says "GM" on it, with this number: 16513298. I assume this is a GM car part number, but I've had no luck finding what kind of car it belongs to on any car parts website or Google. Photos of the light cover are here and here.
Anyone recognize this part, or know how to access a complete GM car parts database? I realize this is a total long shot and we'll probably never find the driver, but it would be nice to know what kind of car to keep an eye out for.
Thank you!

Hope me.

Nonce — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 08:58:09 -0800

Tell me where I can purchase a car door handle online. I need a rear driver's side exterior door handle for a 1997 Hyundai Accent.

From what I can determine, Rock Auto is kind of like the Newegg of the car parts websites. Unfortunately, they don't have this handle.

When I type what I want into google, all of the top results are for a group of websites that are apparently operated by the same company: carpartswholesale.com, autopartswarehouse.com, etc.

They all have the part, but they also charge a "handling" fee that is extra from the shipping and greatly increases the apparent cost. The reviews I've been able to find are universally negative, and it appears there is a rather large chance that they would screw up my order, charge me a restocking fee to return it, etc. In other words, they feel like a scam.

Finally, on e-bay, there is one person who is selling a set of four, but again, I have major trust issues.

So, I guess what I'm asking is, can someone find me this handle online from a site they have successfully purchased from in the past?

Finding Old Car Parts

adipocere — Sun, 30 Sep 2007 18:18:38 -0800

How does one effectively search for old auto parts? I'm looking to replace the "brake proportioning value" on a 1985 Mercury Grand Marquis. Yes, I know the car is old. Yes, will be getting another car. I'd rather not have to make a hasty decision.

Apparently, this is not an oft-needed part. And, to make matters worse, the part is no longer made, according to the dealer. The numbers off of the part are 'KH055E0AC2B382GA," which seems incredibly long to me. Too long. I don't know how to pull off the part myself, so going to a junkyard is out. The mechanic has given up.

The car part stuff is something unknown to me. I'm told that there's a range of years which will fit, and that Ford parts will work. Hence, should I really be going through the menus to get a 1985 Mercury Grand Marquis part? I have no idea!

I've flailed through a few car parts sites already to no avail - is there a smarter way to go about this, or is this just something that involves going to one site after another?

Guidance for buying an auto part at a junkyard

matildaben — Tue, 05 Sep 2006 11:14:06 -0800

Should I get a car part at a junkyard/salvage yard/auto recycler, and how do I go about it? I need a side mirror assembly for a 1998 Nissan Sentra. Should I get it at a junkyard? I already asked my mechanic if they had a specific junkyard they worked with, and they told me to call around from the yellow pages and ask everyone if they had the part. I live in Seattle, and from the yellow pages, it appears that most salvage yards are in the outlying industrial areas. Would it be worth it to drive over 30 minutes each way just to save $50-$100? Are junkyards scary? Should I bring a male friend with me if I go to one? Any other tips and techniques to make the transaction quick and painless and economical? I've already looked on Car Talk but their guide was not very helpful.

How compatible are parts in Volkswagen cars made for US market (made in Mexico I guess) with their counterparts made and driven in Europe?

yabo — Mon, 20 Feb 2006 07:25:39 -0800

How compatible are parts in Volkswagen cars made for US market (made in Mexico I guess) with their counterparts made and driven in Europe? I plan to move to Europe next year and would like to ship a car (along with the rest of my stuff). I'd like to buy a Volkswagen car (they tend to be cheaper here) and use it overseas.
However, I've heard that some of the parts in Jettas and Golfs are different than those in European made cars. Obviously not all, but enough to give me headache when something breaks down. In addition, (supposedly) Passats are not made here but Europe and would be just fine in this scenario.

Can anyone confirm any of this?

I'm sure that any dealership in Europe would be able to special-order a part from US, but I would like to avoid waiting for a simple part to be shipped and paying top dollars if I don't have to.