General Chat
Q:
i went to autozone today for some front brake pads for the zx.
they did not have them (not really a big surprise) but this time they could not even special order them and have them here the next day.
i was just wondering if this is the beginning of the end for finding parts at the local parts houses for daily driver z's...
79 280ZX -The best selling sports car of all time
A:
propably not, ask someone else, just about every parts store where i live has them or can order then.
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1981 n/a 280zx
1952 m38a1 jeep willy's
1971 fairlady 240z
95 300zx N/A
72 240z
A:
same here. Sounds like your parts place is retarded.
'82 280ZX N/A Coupe
K&N Filter
Flowmaster Muffler
15" Turbo Wheels
260Z Leather Seats
"23years, and 322k miles and still going, and going, and going,..."
'83 280ZX N/A Coupe (parts car)
A:
Nope take it from someone that used to work there, if he said he could get them next day then he his just going to get then from the "hub" store, for evey six stores there is a hub store which is like a wherehouse for stock,
so to sum it up Z car parts are still around.
1990 RS Camao (Ya i know im getting a Z but i still love my Camaro!)
2002 Z28 LS1 T56 yes its fast no you cant drive it!
A:
Yeah I went to a parts store simply because it was next to my house to check on an alternator price and they couldnt even order me one for my 83 na. I checked the next place and they had a few on stock. Some parts stores just suck.
78 ZT, 83 zx engine, T-5, custom 2.5 DP, glass pack exhaust, EVO IC, 2.5 IC piping, Cobra MAF, JWT 450 HP ECU, 440cc inj, 255lph fuel pump, RRFPR, man. boost cont., T-3 w/ clipped exh. .46 trim comp.
A:
It's also going to depend on who's working behind the counter that day and if he/she gives a crap.
Dave
12/70 240Z, L-28, flat-tops, N-42 head, N-33 intake, MSA 10-2002 cam, ZX ignition, early 5-speed, R-180,4:11 gears, 903 Blue paint.
A:
reason i was asking is that i live in the 4th largest city in the usa. i'm starting to have more and more trouble finding z-specific parts (like brake pads, clutch slave cylinders, fuel pumps) at the local stores. when autozone no longer has a listing on the items here, it makes me wonder if i want to continue to drive so much cross-country and risk being stuck somewhere waiting for fedex to arrive...
79 280ZX -The best selling sports car of all time
A:
More than likely it's because of where you live. Bigger cities deal more in newer car parts so they keep fewer and fewer older car parts on hand. Supply and demand. I live in a hick town outside of a military base. Lots of Z parts in the stores because there's a lot of older cars here and several Z's.
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77 280Z - TEC3 Engine Management, Coil Packs, 3.1 Stroker, 550CC injectors, tripple throttle body FI intake, MSA Stage II Cam, etc...etc...
79 Fairlady - Rusty
81 280ZX - DD
A:
We all have an unwavering desire ( need ) for perishable and even non perishable parts, that yes, some day the market will no longer support the small minority of comsumers that being the 1st & 2nd gen Z community.
Supply & Demand = Econ 101
Z,
Kevin
Triple 77s, one for work, one for play and one on the way.
A:
there were able to "special" order me some unloaded rear calipers just an hour ago for $74 each after a state-wide search. i like using the local guys if i can, just to keep a blip going in their sales for z-parts.
but yea, i'm wondering about the day i walk in and get treated like i was asking for some parts for a 39 ford...
79 280ZX -The best selling sports car of all time
A:
That's why we all need a plan 'B'. My plan 'B' is a Porsche 911, unless I go completely back to Drag Racing (almost a given), where in that case.....there are parts aplenty!
Ken
'82ZX n/a 2+2
'02 Sportster XL1200C
A:
In ten years they probibly will give ya the deer in the headlights look.
Tkr, this is exactly the point!
This is the reason "we" all need to support MSA, VB, and all our local Dealerships such as Courtesy and the like that support our clubs and sponsor our events and who supply and procure NOS, OEM parts and stop buying from O 'Rilley's or Nanny, Mofo & Jack off at Pep-Boys. to save $$
Cheaper does'nt mean its "All Original" if aftermarket pins and shims are installed for your front brake pads.
If "We" do not patronize our OEM suppliers the aftermarket won't either.
Z,
Kevin
Triple 77s, one for work, one for play and one on the way.
A:
no,
i want parts when i'm on the ROAD. vb, msa, etc are fine, but they do not have dealers along side the road. my point was that if my car craps out and need a clutch slave cylinder, i need it now. how the hell will vb mail me something if i'm stranded down the road in laredo? that's why i buy from larger chain outlets.
unless the parts are available from the hi/lo's pep boys, autozones, then all you have is a "hobby car" that is a risk to drive any distance. and no, i get that "deer in the headlights" look from nissan dealers already...
79 280ZX -The best selling sports car of all time
A:
"how the hell will vb mail me something if i'm stranded down the road in laredo? that's why i buy from larger chain outlets."
That's actually pretty simple, and chances are they can overnight it to you which is what most chains in East Rump**** TX will do anyway.
The solution is to keep your car in better condition, and you don't have failures. Been cross country countless times, and not once did I require anything other than oil, gas, and filters.
If a breakdown worries you that badly, don't drive the car or keep it in better condition.
I trust me Z far more than a modern vehicle on long trips simply becasue it's unlikely one component failure will stop me dead in my tracks.
People Are Idiots, Just look around here and you will see!
Tony D: "Knowledgeable but Caustic"... rationull
My brother from another mother calls himself "Willie D"
A:
(The solution is to keep your car in better condition) Amen.
Peace of mind come in many forms, driving a POS n expecting reliability is not one of them, any Z deserves a 30 cents a day "investement" (gold AAA) regardless of condition
Have you shared the left lane today?
A:
Would be surprised if common things like brake pads ever became scarce, because they need replacing so often. Plus don't the Z/ZXs share pad specs with some other brands/models (seems like I've seen that on some of the boxes). Here's something I've been doing for awhile, FWIW: Keep an eye on eBay. When cheap brake pads or other common replacement stuff comes available, buy it even if you don't need it. I have a set of brake pads in the 'Z drawer' that cost me, like $5. No, they're not "Ultra sticky green gonzo organic nuclear unobtanium". They're stock. Which is all I need. Also bought a 'lot' of four or five L28 timing chains a few years ago — for $5, a brand new Nissan fuel pump for $40, etc. The deals, and the parts, are out there.
'76 280Z driver, '75 parts car
A:
"The solution is to keep your car in better condition"
tony, do you ever read these things before answering? that is what i was doing, preventative maintenance. you do know that i refurbed my car a few years back, right? my car is damn near as close to new as i can keep it.
even so, things can and do fail at odd times. hell, even new cars have problems! point is that if something electrical or mechanical decides to fail some morning down the road, any fix will probably not be found at the local parts store.
"chances are they can overnight it to you"
at what address? where do you send it to? HELLO. we are talking about on the road. i guess i could send it to a hotel wait in the lobby till 4pm the following day for it to arrive. mail order sux when on the road. i'd much rather have a local parts house have it or get it same day from another store.
79 280ZX -The best selling sports car of all time
A:
Actually I find that my 76 is as, or more dependable than my F150 and a lot easier to maintain: most everything on it I can do myself. So far I've had little problems getting parts...usually I can get what I need from the Nissan dealership in Greenville. The trick to the dealership from my experience is having someone that knows how to use their[older] parts system.
76', 4 Speed, CAI, 6 into 2 Headers
Of all the things I've lost in life I miss my mind the most.
A:
I've never had a single component failure strand me in a Z (except for that time I had a blowout and was missing the lugwrench). Had an MC go out, used the hand brake. My dad had a clutch slave cylinder go out, he was able to shift using RPM matching. If a single component fails and does strand you (say the ignition module), odds are that it will take the major parts chains longer to get the part to you than MSA, VB, etc. And yes they can deliver to hotels if need be.
'60 Chevrolet Apache 10 235cid Stovebolt 6
'79 N/A MT (My Dad's but I drive it)
'81 Turbo (Mine)
FSM: $60
Shop Manual: $20
Reading the manual: Priceless
A:
i've never had one fail on a long trip either, in 26 years. i was just wondering if these preventative parts are drying up, what the picture would be IF something let loose. i have another medium (400mi) trip this weekend so it cought me off-guard that these simple parts were not stocked.
79 280ZX -The best selling sports car of all time
A:
""chances are they can overnight it to you"
at what address? where do you send it to? HELLO. we are talking about on the road."
Dude, DO YOU READ WHAT I DO FOR A LIVING????
I LIVE out of HOTELS. I travel INTERNATIONALLY.
If I can get a set of brake pads delivered halfway around the world to a hotel, I think it shouldn't be a problem within the USA.
Dude, I LIVE on the road, and I get stuff forwarded to me EVERYWHERE.
It is the modern age. You don't need an address.
Hell, the US POSTAL SYSTEM doesn't need an address to deliver something to you on the road.
Ever hear of "General Delivery"
If you "refurbed" your car recently and fret about things breaking, I posit you did a "Bubblefitting" of your vehicle, rather than a true refurbishment.
People Are Idiots, Just look around here and you will see!
Tony D: "Knowledgeable but Caustic"... rationull
My brother from another mother calls himself "Willie D"
A:
"If a single component fails and does strand you (say the ignition module), odds are that it will take the major parts chains longer to get the part to you than MSA, VB, etc. And yes they can deliver to hotels if need be."
And incidentally, the little cubbyholes behind the seats contain every spare "strandable component" you could ever think of.
My days of lugging axles around behind the seats and alternators under the spare tire are LONG over. I found once I PROPERLY repaired my vehicle, I NEVER had component failure.
I run H4 Lights, because sealed beams get put out by a rock.
I run Nisan U-Joints because they give PLENTY of warning before failing.
I carry a bungee cord to hold it in gear should the fifth gear synchro go out.
I have progressively carried less and less spares and tools as I age. I need more room for stuff I want, and not stuff I find out I never need.
People Are Idiots, Just look around here and you will see!
Tony D: "Knowledgeable but Caustic"... rationull
My brother from another mother calls himself "Willie D"
A:
tony, who cares what you do except you? I'm talking about the vast majority of z owners (like me) that don't do what you do. sure we all can and will hash out a solution, but it's still at the very least a days wait when parts are not stocked locally.
i said that i REFURBISHED my car. i guess you attended public schools and never leaned what words mean. please look up difficult words in the dictionary before responding. thanks.
unlike tony, i have never seen the need to carry around spare parts. the reason was that the car is in good order and even if something was to "cato" that there was a reasonable expectation that parts were not far away. this thread is about that the reasonable expectation of finding parts locally is "drying up". as far as vb (or msa) being a sole parts supplier, that is not a comforting scenario (economically or timely, imho). ymmv.
79 280ZX -The best selling sports car of all time
A:
Tkr,
You get what ya pay for. Where you ever a Boy Scout? Ever hear of the motto " Be prepared " in your life?
And yes, the world is getting smaller everyday. Companies including MSA, VB will ship around the world via a massive fleet of jet aircraft to the anals of the world unless a local dealer can not. All ya have to do is ask. Nicely! Although you'll be required to pay the addition charges, unless your vehicle is still under warranty.
Don't be a broke arse, cheapskate. You missed my point and Tony's as well. If Nissan does not see a demand they will stop production of even the most common of parts. They do not have to sell the rights to produce said discontinued parts, either. Then when your in bumjacked Eygpt, you can't get "ANY" parts at all.
Done!
Z,
Kevin
Triple 77s, one for work, one for play and one on the way.
A:
cheapskate? damn, i guess tony is not the only one here that spouts off without reading first. i keep my car in stock and in as near new condition as possible since new. hello...Mcfly?
be prepared? again spouting crap without reading. the thread is about finding that parts that, are apparently, less available than 10 or even 5 years ago. good maintenance and parts availability go hand-in-hand. cutting down the locations where parts can be found is not a good thing. if being prepared to you means trailering a parts car, forget it.
also, if you believe that nissan is actually PRODUCING new parts themselves for 30 year old cars, then you have no grip on reality. last time i went into nissan last month and asked for a water temp sensor, they said with a straight face that it would be $90. the same on-line part that nissan had in their warehouse was $13 from an online source. same part, same vendor, $77 premium for nissan to get it to me. nissan is not doing any "favor" for the z community by charging a 700% profit for their 3rd party wear items.
79 280ZX -The best selling sports car of all time
A:
So you did purchase a OEM EFI component that was produced under license from Nissan and also who stocked that item ? Precisely, Nissan!
Economics 101, what ever the market will bare is price equillibrium of a given product or service.
My point exactly! You patronized Nissan for the part, not the AM.
However, yes there are non-OEM suppliers of that very same part, such as Beck- Arnley. Furthermore, for your information, and edification, yes Nissan is producing and selling "new" parts for 1st generation Zs.
You expect national chain stores to stock and maintain a comprehensive inventory of parts for one specific 28 yr old vehicle, in todays economy?
Bah! Ha Ha
Z,
Kevin
Triple 77s, one for work, one for play and one on the way.
A:
I believe it’s until a car is 10 years old that auto makers are legally required to carry OEM parts. After 10 years have gone by, auto makers can stop making them. I think it should be lengthened to 20 years since more people are holding on to their cars for longer periods of time. Of course, that would cost the auto makers money and they would inevitably pass the higher costs onto consumers in the form of higher parts prices. It would also fly in the face of their planned obsolescence business model. They like the fact that parts get harder to come by as a vehicle ages. Auto makers want you to come in and buy a new car. Aftermarket companies make some but not all a car’s parts. For certain parts, I think aftermarket company parts are inferior to OEM parts.
On longer car trips, always have a cell phone and credit card on you and carry a AAA membership because any car, new or old, can break down far away from home.
A:
"OEM EFI component that was produced under license from Nissan "
actuall, no. i went to the source and bought bosche.
A:
"also, if you believe that nissan is actually PRODUCING new parts themselves for 30 year old cars, then you have no grip on reality."
Actually, Nissan DID go back into production on SEVERAL S30 parts during the restoration program. The ONLY reason they are available NOW is BECAUSE of the company going back to OEM Suppliers and having them run another production run of this part or that.
So someone here has no grip on reality. But it's not I or Kevin Taylor...
People Are Idiots, Just look around here and you will see!
Tony D: "Knowledgeable but Caustic"... rationull
My brother from another mother calls himself "Willie D"
A:
wow, they made what, 40 cars or so, maybe 100 parts in the production run? 250? hardly a commitment. like i said, they are NOT doing anything RIGHT NOW. that was a marking thing, not a support effort.
79 280ZX -The best selling sports car of all time
Post Edited (Dec 16, 8:46pm)
A:
You are right there in the HQ City of Nissan, where complete production runs of thousands of small hard parts were required.
Anybody notice that dashboards were NLA before the resto project, and then were once again available?
Same for the driver's side door panel...
You talk out your ass from a position of ignorance.
your commentary on things you were not involved in, nor had any firsthand knowledge of is illuminating....
People Are Idiots, Just look around here and you will see!
Tony D: "Knowledgeable but Caustic"... rationull
My brother from another mother calls himself "Willie D"
A:
talk about a position of ignorance!
you're now saying that dashboards and side panel availability is a great thing for fixing problems that we might encounter while driving far from home?
get real.
A:
The dash and door panel are PRIME examples of parts that Kevin Taylor and I were talking about that collectors need.
The small stuff like bearings, brake pads, alternators, and etc are ALL OVER ACROSS PLATFORMS AND VEHICLE MANUFACTURERS...
For instance, you ever order the brake pads for a 1980 Toyota 1-Ton Truck, or even think about going ot a Toyota Dealer for that COMMON Z-CAR PART?
I probably doubt you ever did.
Why? Because you are ignornat to the fact that (besides it being mentioned here several times) the Toyota Caliper is the same SUMITOMO unit sold to Nissan for use in the Z......
But you have blinders on, and can only see your myopic view of something...
It was FAR more than dashes and Door Panels. NTN don't run a hundred bearings at a time, they run a THOUSAND. So wheel bearings are in good supply now, too...
Much like someone else, you are picking flyshit out of the pepper with boxing gloves on: you are going after an arcane and useless point because someone didn't address it in their post, but NOW IT'S BEEN ADDRESSED, so STFU!
I swear to christ you have gotten bovine syphilis screwing cattle out on the range, your dementia about parts availability is unfounded.
Any idiot can find the parts, if they know what to ASK for---but that would take knowledge about more than one vehicle, or one line or class of vehicle, now wouldn't it?
Even during the Nissa Resto Program, there were items that Nissan said were "NLA" for the program, such as radios or the cubbyholes for the radio delete option. Informed sources told them to look at the 720 Truck for the SAME PARTS which were in LARGE SUPPLY. But because they had the different part number, they showed as "NLA" in their system... Skills and knowledge within the vehicles' family will go a long way towards alleviating the "parts availability problem" you THINK is out there...
Your a bit narrow in your focus, it shows in your contfrontational style and usless picking posts to a multitude of subjects which you obviously know nothing about.
People Are Idiots, Just look around here and you will see!
Tony D: "Knowledgeable but Caustic"... rationull
My brother from another mother calls himself "Willie D"
Post Edited (Dec 16, 10:47pm)
A:
man, you gave the lame example and then attack me?
i'm STILL waiting to give me an example of a nissan oem part from that nissan program that was not available till they made it.
and this time, remember, we are NOT talking about collectors restoring to concourse condition, we are talking here about CRITICAL parts for daily drivers, not radios, not little badges or cubby boxes, and certainly not door panels.
since you brought up nissan, just one (real) example would be nice.
79 280ZX -The best selling sports car of all time
A:
But that wasn't enough.
So main bearings will have an excuse, becasue that could be fixed on the road. YOu know the ones, that are in divisions of thousandths of an inch so you can rebuild (or is that refurbish) your engine without turning the crank undersize and weakening it.... They were NLA in MANY sizes. Not any longer. Of course if you buy shitbearings from Autozone (whatta place to buy) this is probably something you will not see as pertinent.
And for many of the parts, there were 16 or 17 left in the system, BUT NOT ENOUGH for the run they envisioned, so they had more made.
Alternators and starters were sent through a special program of "refurbishment" back in Japan... but that wouldn't count as those were snapped up out of the Nissan Parts depot pretty quickly afterwards---and cheap bastards like you go to Autozone for parts like that, don't you?
So IN YOUR WORLD: BOO HOOO! Your cheap parts supply is drying up. Thankfully for people like Kevin Taylor and I, who buy real Nissan Parts, they ARE AGAIN AVAILABLE AND HAVE BEEN GIVEN A NEW LEASE ON LIFE THROUGH EXTENDED AVAILABILITY DUE TO THE RESTORATION PROGRAM...
But you don't get that, do you? You live, like most here, on the bootm feeding ledges of the parts pool. Crap rebuilt shitparts that "are inexpensive" and rebuilt using no QC whatsoever....
For you guys, I guess this is a tradgedy. For people concerned with the AVAILABILITY OF GENUINE NISSAN PARTS, they indeed had more in the stock bins at Nissan AFTER THE RESTORATION PROGRAM, than before.
That's a fact. Because you can't handle it, and were unaware of it, you choose to foolishly argue.
Go ahead, what is that other guy's tagline "Stupid irrelevant and argumentative post from tkr514 to follow shortly..."
Go ahead, get that last word. It must be so sad to be you!
People Are Idiots, Just look around here and you will see!
Tony D: "Knowledgeable but Caustic"... rationull
My brother from another mother calls himself "Willie D"
A:
Tkr,
How many of the forty did you work on.......Hummm ?
I can't hear you!
Again for you information and edification, the diamond patterned vinyl interior overlays ( which are now currently available ) is a fine example!
I know the gentleman personally who helped Nissan redevelop these parts back in 1997
Ever request a rear differential mount for a 1978 4dr. 810?
Ever read a FSM and notice the interchangability of the service tools listed therein?
As stated............................ STFU.
Z,
Kevin
Triple 77s, one for work, one for play and one on the way.
Post Edited (Dec 17, 12:10pm)
A:
What idiots.
Nissan already abandoned parts years ago! that's why there were not enough even for them for the "40" reproduction run and they had to come up with some. After the short run, do you REALLY think that nissan will now be interested in making more?
nissan has proved they could care less about supplying parts. after their "promotion", do you idiots REALLY think that nissan gives a rats rear end about us? i am glad that a presious few z'ers picked up some scraps that nissan had planed to use to make a few more cars but stopped. that's all there were, a few scraps and no more.
if you morons think that a few interior pieces will help anyone make their car more reliable (or that nissan usa is going to be turning out parts), then you're daydreaming.
79 280ZX -The best selling sports car of all time