Date: Sat, 16 Jun 2012 18:09:49 -0500
Reply-To: JRodgers <jrodgers113@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: JRodgers <jrodgers113@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: warning regarding GoWesty alternator bracket kit
In-Reply-To: <4FDCF5EB.1060002@turbovans.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed
Over the years, I have had these issues myself. Poor quality parts,
wrong parts, mismatched parts - the list goes on. The one thing I have
learned is - do your homework on the parts and the procedures. If you do
your own worke - so much the better. If you don't, find a mechanic who
will work with you, and the two of you make a team to get the job done
right with the correct parts. Many shops don't want you hanging about
watching what they are doing. You will see a lot of signs up saying
Employees Only in the shop workspace. I understand the insurance issues,
but I never can quite trust those kinds of places. I've been burned to
many times. There are fellows out there who will work with you, however.
But you will have to look for them. You don't have to stand right next
to the guy while he's working, but be there.. If there is a question -
ask it. If he has a question - be there to answer it. Bot of you look at
the Bentley before the work starts. Check out the parts - together.
There's a lot of good mechanics out there - they just never have or have
infrequently seen a Vanagon, so there is some necessary education that
has to happen. Use these guys general mechanical expertise and teach
them. I have been through two mechanics that way over the last twelve
years. Rarely was there ever any comeback on any work. And ti was mostly
because we talked to each other and got on the same page. Very
important. I issues do arise - and you just have to deal with it. But it
works best if you and your mechanic are on the same page. I have had a
couple of issues in the last few months over parts from vendors. Again -
it's "do your homework before the part goes in." Vanagon horn ring -
correct part number - but wouldn't fit. Why? Apparently VW decided to
make it fit other vehicles as well. Result - the very slight change made
it impossible to seat the steering wheel. The solution - transfer the
brass ring from the new base, over to the old base. Worked like a champ.
But who knew? Caught the vendor by surprise. The most recent parts
concern is tie-rod ends. Two new sets from vendors. No drilled holes and
no castle nuts to accept cotter pins. Fiber-lock safety nuts supplied
with one set, steel-lock safety nuts supplied with the other set. No
castle nuts, no cotter pin holes. I haven't resolved the issue yet, but
I'm working it. To me that's like not safe-locking the nuts on the bolts
on the elevators or ailerons on an airplane with safety wire or a cotter
pin. Sooner or later, something is going to separate and fall off.
That's bad news. So is that separation on the front end of the Vanagon.
John Rodgers
On 6/16/2012 4:08 PM, Scott Daniel - Turbovans wrote:
> .if people are smart they will at least check the
> vehicle itself in such cases.
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