Except it wasn’t all the dull because some yahoo decided to save 5 bucks by returning to AutoZone a cheaper part from Amazon.
Took me 2 hours for a 10 minute job because the parts didn’t fit, and that snowballed into using so many tools and spare parts to get it all good and solid.
And since I do work on my car, I needed this to be as solid as I could get it because I don’t want that pointed hood latch, with 100 lbs of hood to fall 4 feet into the back of my head when I’m in the engine bay and someone or the wind knocks into the car.
I’m still slightly uneasy about it, but maybe that’s just the anger. The only AutoZone with this part in stock is 30 miles away, which is where I got it when I had an errand on that side of town. And this part now clearly has some surface level battle scars since I’ve been working on it. So even if I made the drive, I would be at the mercy of the manager believing me over the guy they already got scammed by.
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Also doing car work today, I feel you.
Shop wants £300 to change an exhaust on a car that’s only worth £700. Only the flexi part is blown, but the part is sold as a whole front-to-back section by the OEM.
Figured I’d cut it out and replace. Got some ramps to do it, which will be great for future jobs too.
80% of the cutting like butter with the angle grinder, but disc size and proximity to parts that ought not to be cut was the downfall. 15% more cut with a hacksaw which then bust the notch on the blade (the last blade, ofc) that holds it to the handle. Last 5% improvised with the bust blade and gloved hand.
My back does not appreciate the money-save. But the wallet is happy after measuring up and finding a part for £30. Will be back under it next week to fit.
Oh many, only selling something as a complete assembly is so frustrating!
Glad you were able to make your way through it.
Especially when you’ve already had that part replaced 2 years ago and the rest of it is perfectly ok. VX weld the flexi to the midsection at the factory.
On the humourous side, the car now currently sounds like it has an engine much bigger than the tiny 1l it does have.
Lucky to have something else to drive in the meantime, but I do like this car even if it’s getting ratty. It’s all paid for, insured and has a fresh MOT - so I might as well fix it.
Aw dang.
Ha ha!
I’m currently thinking about getting a cheap, small backup vehicle. It makes it so much easier to decide to long jobs on the main vehicle if you can easily survive a few days without the main vehicle. Or just to easily get the part or tool you suddenly need in the middle of a job.
That stinks. Order the proper part from RockAuto and do it correctly. If you need to return it to RockAuto, it’s at least not a 30 minute drive.
Not the full collection
I really like RockAuto’s prices, and their logistics. If I’m ordering a lot, then I can accept the shipping cost for the slow ground speed.
I do also try to balance the cheaper online prices versus supporting physical stores. By that I mean supporting stores who have something in stock that day. Not addressing company ethics in this instance.
RockAuto would have been about $20, but the cheapest shipping was $17 because of the shape of this part, even though it is light, and take a week. AutoZone was $30. Amazon was $25.
In this instance, the $5 difference from Amazon was worth it to promote having this part available in stock “locally.”
I installed some shocks on my car as well when I got it but it normally didn’t have any shocks. Luckily thanks to forums I found a ebay guy that sold a kit with heavy duty shocks that haven’t gone out. I appreciate them every time I have to top off the oil from the famous subie gasket leak
Wow, that’s so awesome!
