Date: Sun, 12 Mar 2000 01:11:57 -0800
Reply-To: Coby Smolens <cobys@WELL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Coby Smolens <cobys@WELL.COM>
Subject: Re: Getting parts numbers (& rumor of dealer parts departments)
In-Reply-To: <200003120332.VAA16172@Prairie.lakes.com>
Content-Type: multipart/alternative;
Dear Dale -
Specifically:
CV joint/boot kit (Lobro, OE maker): 251 598 101, around $75 each (includes
joint, boot, retainer, bolts and "schnoor" washers) (4 per vehicle)
Upper ball joint: 251 407 361, around $38 ea.. (2 per vehicle)
Lower ball joint: 251 407 187, " " " (2 per vehicle)
Upper control arm bushings: 251 407 077, $25 ea. (4 per vehicle)
Coil springs: are normally only available new from the dealer - you don't
even WANT to know how much they cost unless you are fabulously wealthy and
love your van DEEPLY...
Stabilizer bar: can be had from a used parts emporium (AKA junkyard) for
$10-$50 depending on the proprietor.
Stabilizer bushings: are also a dealer part, don't remember the cost or
number (rarely used).
Generally:
Calling the dealer for part numbers usually works OK, if you can accurately
describe the part. VW parts departments are really rather stone-age when it
comes to their catalogue technology. They still rely on VERY poor quality
diagrams on micro-fiche film. Be patient with them... Best thing, if you
know what the part looks like and where on the vehicle it lives, is to go to
the dealership and let them show you the fiche, so you can point to the part
with your own finger (or pencil, better yet).
HOT FLASH, BY THE WAY: According to the beleaguered and overworked parts
people at Sonnen VW in Marin County, CA, VW is working on a digital parts
system and will soon be implementing same! This is very good news for those
of us who engage in lengthy phone conversations trying to describe some
itty-bitty for-want-of-a-nail type part that the van won't run without and
isn't available anywhere else. Japanese and American car manufacturers have
had this type of system in place for at least three years now, and I am
constantly annoyed with the luddites von der Vaterland for dragging their
heels so stubbornly. But then the Germans have always been a bit laggard in
the digital age. Except that the VW D-jet injection system was pretty much
the FIRST production electronic (computer controlled) fuel delivery
system... Odd, that...
They - VW San Rafael - offered me their fiche readers and old fiches when
this happens. Of course, at that point, we should be able to get a CD with
all the info on it - much better than a clunky old fiche reader. But this
may be beyond the scope of what they have in mind. MY vote would be for the
DIAL system I use for ordering from WorldPac (probably the largest supplier
of OE and OEQ parts outside VW - unfortunately they only sell to
distributors and jobbers), wherein I can look up and order everything
online, look at photos of the parts, not have to wait on hold...
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:Vanagon]On Behalf
Of Dale
Sent: Saturday, March 11, 2000 7:33 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Getting parts numbers
Can anyone tell me how to go about finding the part numbers I need?
I have an '84 Westy and am going to be looking for a bunch of parts.
Basically I am putting a new engine, and possibly rear cv's. Then I am
going to work on the front end and I need driver side upper ball joint,
possibly lower ball joint, coil spring, and possibly a stabilizer bar. I
know this won't be everything, but if I can first do some price comparisons
from some of the list dealers I can then decide which project to begin with,
or have the vw mechanic (non-dealership) do this. He will let me purchase
the parts and then put them on. I have a Bentley, but don't see anywhere
where there are listed #'s for the parts. Do I just need to get this
information from the mechanic or is there an easier way. I would like to
know before signing a blank check to the mechanic.
TIA
Dale
'84 Westy
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