Best Laid Plans

It's not just you, Ken. That's the way it is currently working for everyone.
 
So today I had to replace the lower ball joints on a '93 Cougar.So I ordered the parts and picked up the car the next day.So on the way home with the car I stop at the parts store and get my parts.Now here is where the day starts down hill.The 2 ball joints are in different size boxes."Not to worry the boxes have the same number on them" says my well seasoned 19 year old parts pro. A quick visual by me confirms they look alike .So I grab and go.
So I get the car home and jack it up and remove the lower ball joint on the passenger side and go to put the new one in.Now I have literally done hundreds of these things.... but this one don't want to cooperate . So take it back apart and take a closer look. Break out the mic's and measure the hole ID then measure the old ball joint OD then the new.
Well what do you know the new part is only .075 bigger then the old part and the hole. Talk about press fit.So I mic the other one and Sweet it will work. So I put that side together.
Now me and my mics go to a different parts shop and check out what they got . Score and it's 8 dollars cheaper than other guys.
Way too much fun for today so I'll finish the job tomorrow.
***************************JADIP***************************Gator*********cartangrysj1.gif*****************
 
the second one must have been the new design, They changed the specs and you did not get the message.
 
This is a test.cartangrysj1.gifI would like to make this our group avatar .Maybe when the forum is running I'll see what I can do.
*G*
 
kvt said:
the second one must have been the new design, They changed the specs and you did not get the message.
Click to expand...

Apparently, the "well seasoned 19 year old parts pro" didn't get that memo, either. Go figure.

As for the group avatar, Gator, I don't know where you got my selfie, but feel free to use it.

Tom
 
That 19 year old parts pro was probably the new manager. Went to one recently, and I would swear the kid was not even out of high school, did not even look like he was shaving yet. He was wearing a manager badge, and when I asked him for a part he could not even figure out what I was talking about, He finally gave up and turned the screen around and let me go at it. I found my part but figure the odds, It said they had one in stock but he could not find it. What ever happened to the old parts pros who had been mechanics prior.
 
And I think he thought he knew everything listening to him talking to other customers. I wander if he was the product of one of these fly by night technical schools.
I just wish that some of the old mechanics that needed some extra money after they get where they don't want to mechanic full time would be parts counter guys. But there again the companies don't want to pay them if they can get a young guy for min wage. But they would prob have better sales and more repeat sales if they did do that. I only go there if I have to any more, I order on line, since I don't have any local small town type of parts houses around. Just the box stores, Auto zone Oriley and Napa.
 
kvt said:
I just wish that some of the old mechanics..........would be parts counter guys.
Click to expand...

But then they'd have to deal with the young kids that think they know everything about hopping up a Honda "sports car".
I'd rather be in the back talking to my machines.

Boy, re-reading that makes me sound like I belong with the "Grumpy Old Cusses", don't it.

-brino
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top