I have to do upper and lower ball joints on the front. Completely stock (87 Fiero GT).
About a month ago I went back and forth with Rock Auto. They had the parts (listed they only had a few left) and then took a long time to come. Two of them matched (cant remember if they were upper or lower) but the other two came in two different boxes. They were two different brands. I sent them back. (I purchase some other things from Rock Auto and noticed they will put anything in a box and ship it out.)
Locally they are listing ball joints for the Fiero as "Rare Parts" at $50 to $100 dollars each. They dont even carry them in stock.
When I needed upper/lower ball joints, I got mine from an auto-zone in Coco Beach Florida. They were in stock in many locations. In fact, I don't think that any place I called didn't have them. They were around $20 each, if I remember correctly.
Advance Auto which is big up here does not have them listed. Auto Zone does not list them for pickup and will ship. One under twenty and the other much more. The cost does not worry me, but the quality.
The cars are 30 years old, 25 years is considered antique in many circles.
Parts dry up for old, classic and antique cars. When supply wanes prices go up due to supply & demand. The guy at the swap meet that has the part that can't be found becomes DE MAN.
They are listed on Amazon. Do you have the part numbers or link to the right ones?
I would look up what the part number Rock Auto has and what others have, then search Amazon with those (or ebay).
Sorry, I haven't looked them up, but that is what I do when looking for parts. I recently ordered parts from RockAuto, Amazon and Ebay, to get the best selection and best prices. RockAuto didn't have everything in stock.
Okay. I just ordered from him. I got them all from him. I still have the ones from Rock Auto but I am not sure what I got from them.
BTW, they were brutal in returning items. I told the lady on the phone I recieved two ball joints, different boxes, one was opened, and they looked different. She said, "But, they are the same part number." I could not make her understand that I did not want to take they chance installing them. She may have been right, but I felt like it was like putting two different brand tires on a car. That's what I told her.
Okay. I just ordered from him. I got them all from him. I still have the ones from Rock Auto but I am not sure what I got from them.
BTW, they were brutal in returning items. I told the lady on the phone I recieved two ball joints, different boxes, one was opened, and they looked different. She said, "But, they are the same part number." I could not make her understand that I did not want to take they chance installing them. She may have been right, but I felt like it was like putting two different brand tires on a car. That's what I told her.
I had this experience on a 71 Chrysler. One time I stopped into a Murray's (now O'Reilly's) and priced heater cores. $34, no problem. Now I can't find one anywhere. I don't feel so stupid having all sorts of Fiero parts around that I may never use.
Judging from my experience the only Fiero parts that are getting hard to get are the unique body parts and the Fiero Store is doing a good job at reproducing them. Just recently I needed a GT door molding and was able to buy them for $18.95 and they also stock the hard to find molding clips. The GT tail lights are the hard to find items and a forum member is working on reproducing them. If they are successful then all Fiero parts should be available, except for exact reproduction quarter windows. The ones that we can buy are OK but do not fit as the originals do. Window wiper stalks (with the cruise control button) are also getting hard to find but there are tons of used parts around.
------------------ " THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, HP Tuners VCM Suite. "THE COLUSSUS" 87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H " ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "
Both Rodney Dickman and the Fiero Store have all the various types of ball joints for Fieros.....I think it would be better to support these two sources as much as possible- Fieros are what they do, so we would do well to buy from them whenever possible. (Yes, I know Rodney sells other stuff, but he is specializing in Fieros).
Rodney and the Fiero store are both my first considerations for parts, and when I have to source locally, advance is pretty good at coming through, but I order from them through a garage. Counter service isn't reliable when parts aren't at the main hub near route 8, but they have ordered me parts, such as brand new rear calipers, when I go through the garage with an account. A garage will also have better resources (I'm in the south hills) for ordering parts, provided they are willing to try for you. I keep a list of about 10 places for new and used Fiero parts, but my mechanic easily has double and seems to know who has the best pricing and availability.
Okay. I just ordered from him. I got them all from him. I still have the ones from Rock Auto but I am not sure what I got from them.
BTW, they were brutal in returning items. I told the lady on the phone I recieved two ball joints, different boxes, one was opened, and they looked different. She said, "But, they are the same part number." I could not make her understand that I did not want to take they chance installing them. She may have been right, but I felt like it was like putting two different brand tires on a car. That's what I told her.
Rockauto did nothing wrong in my opinion. You got the parts you ordered. If you read the fine print on their website, they will tell you they have the right to substitute another brand. (of the same requested item) As for your conversation with the return lady, I would have told you the same thing. My advice to you is to fill out their online return form (which will specifically ask for your order number) and say the parts were defective.
For suspension parts, go to Rodney first then Rockauto, then wherever else. Kit
I returned the mismatched parts to Rock Auto. They were not refusing my return but were only wishing I did not return it. My reason was I ordered two of the same thing, and I got two different brands that were physically different. One was opened, removed from the packaging (which mattered little to me), and it look different from the other. This made me believe that some one inserted it in the box.
I don't want to different parts, mismatched, on my front suspension. I think the minimal expectation is to provide matching parts in vital areas. If it was just the light bulb or fuse I would not care.
"Fine Print" is intentionally fine for a reason. Lots of money to be made in car parts. And, luckily there are lots of places to go.
Thanks for all the great response. Rodney got my business. I don't know why he did not come to mind first.
If a part needs to be substituted (when two are ordered), then it should be done with a matching pair... not with an individual unit.
If the full quantity of the order cannot be satisfied, then the customer should be asked how to proceed, and whether they want to cancel the order, only receive part of the order, with a partial refund for the difference, or what. Just blindly shipping something else is just bad business.
Got my stuff from Rodney today. Just great. Cant say enough. I was not expecting it that quick. The parts look great and I am sure they will fit. He even provided a tool to seat the rubber boots.
I have to get some other parts from him. Just a real life saver. Thanks Rodney
