No Parts??

[jcruz]

I've had my Z07 '92 coupe since '95 and I've only recently had to start replacing parts. Last summer I had to replace the adjustable shocks (long story) and to my surprise, no GM shocks were available. Ended up going with Bilsteins. This past weekend I put new pads and rotors in. It seems calipers for large brakes aren't readily available either.

I plan on keeping the car a long time -- what other parts are becoming scarce or hard to find these days????

Thanks,

John

 

[Toms007]

The original Bilstein shock could have been rebuilt by Bilstein. I think that the calipers are the same as the ones put on 95-96 cars, those should not be too difficult to find, but then again I haven't tried.

These cars are getting to be 13-25 years old, parts are going to be getting more difficult to find, unless they are more mainstreamed off the shelf, common Chevy parts.

 

[rlg]

the speed sensor at the Transmission (Auto) is no longer availiable. At least thats what the dealer said.

 

[MBDiagMan]

Barring global thermonuclear war, you will be able to get parts for your Vette for many years to come. There is no need to stockpile anything.

 

[Fullback32]

the speed sensor at the Transmission (Auto) is no longer availiable. At least thats what the dealer said.

For what year...your 1990? The only reason I ask is that the local Chevy dealer here was taking care of some recall work that the previous owner of my 1989 never bothered with :eyerole and had him replace the speed sensor O-ring (automatic transmission here as well) while they were there. Well when they removed it, it broke into 3 pieces :eek and had to be replaced. To the original point, they had the speed sensor available at the dealer and got it done same day.

 

[rlg]

I was at Doc's Corvettes here in Tulsa and he had a 95 he was working on, when he determined it was the sensor, he called the dealership and was informed it was discontinued. He had one on hand and used it.

that was 2 weeks ago.

 

[Fullback32]

I was at Doc's Corvettes here in Tulsa and he had a 95 he was working on, when he determined it was the sensor, he called the dealership and was informed it was discontinued. He had one on hand and used it.

that was 2 weeks ago.

Wow...odd. Mine was just a little over a week ago and had it done at Al Serra Chevrolet. Makes me wonder what speed sensor they used then. Gonna have to check the part number on the invoice when I get home.

 

[rlg]

fullback, they may have had one in stock, but I would like to know if it really is discontinued. I have seen them on Ebay.

 

[MBDiagMan]

The original design speed sensor has been discontinued. It was a very impressive looking part, but was more expensive than the replacement. A savvy Chevy parts guy will offer you a replaement. It is made from stamped sheet metal and looks like something that came out of a box of Cracker Jacks, but it works well and lasts as long as the great looking part that it replaced.

 

[rlg]

MB,

Thanks for the info.

 

[Fullback32]

Thanks for the info MB. Good to know this replacement will last!

 

[tcxd40]

What you need to do is find a Chevy dealer that will work with you. I have found in most cases the dealer I work with has been able to get everything I needed, even when they have been so called discontinued. And I have asked for some really strange parts. As of last week the only part they have not been able to get is the pass. side defroster vent.

tcxd40

 

[jcruz]

Thanks guys.

Funny thing, I've been restoring 69 Firebirds for the last few years and you can get ANY part. Mostly Chinese junk, of course, but even 1-year-only parts are readily available.

I was a bit surprised I couldn't find a caliper, repro or not.

So, I have some additional repairs to be made down the road -- horns, stereo (speaker and CD player), and clutch. Sounds like I won't have problems finding replacements in those areas?

John

 

[gmjunkie]

I haven't had much trouble getting parts for them,the deal is you need a GM parts man that wants to sell you parts!!
Allot of dealers don't have the books that go back that far anymore to look them up!!:eyerole:eyerole:eyerole

You'd be surprised at what you can still get through GM if you know how to do it!!

 

[jcruz]

I haven't had much trouble getting parts for them,the deal is you need a GM parts man that wants to sell you parts!!
Allot of dealers don't have the books that go back that far anymore to look them up!!:eyerole:eyerole:eyerole

You'd be surprised at what you can still get through GM if you know how to do it!!

I always get the guy behind the counter who moves the mouse a bit, clicks a couple times, and then, with a mildly surprised look on his face says, "well, I can't order that part any more".:ugh

 

[MBDiagMan]

I always get the guy behind the counter who moves the mouse a bit, clicks a couple times, and then, with a mildly surprised look on his face says, "well, I can't order that part any more".:ugh

Yep, there are way too many like that. It's all about attitude. Unfortunately there are way too many people these days who show up at work for a paycheck rather than show up to get their job done.

 

[vetteoz]

It seems calipers for large brakes aren't readily available either.

Factory Original Corvette Grand Sport Heavy Duty Brake Calipers: Hubcaps Plus After Market Parts and Accessories For Cars, Trucks and SUVs
When they were last available the GS ones with logo were cheaper than the regular J55 calipers

 

[killain]

Well for what it's worth, last year I needed a new master cylinder for my 84 coupe and the shop had a difficult time finding a replacement girlock master cylinder. I have to wonder about replacement parts for my 2003 when it comes to replacing the usual wear and tear type of parts. I throught GM and other manufactures usually keep parts for 10 years and then discontinue them ?:confused

 

[vetteoz]

last year I needed a new master cylinder for my 84 coupe and the shop had a difficult time finding a replacement girlock master cylinder.

I believe for our cars you have to get away from the dealers and start looking at the places that have bought up NOS or making repo stuff like the partsladi on eBay.

eBay Motors: 84 Chevy Corvette Brake Master Cylinder NEW GM OEM Save (item 350170740152 end time May-25-09 15:36:09 PDT)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/98-9...14&_trkparms=72:1205|66:2|65:12|39:1|240:1318

 

[Hib Halverson]

I've had my Z07 '92 coupe since '95 and I've only recently had to start replacing parts. Last summer I had to replace the adjustable shocks (long story) and to my surprise, no GM shocks were available. Ended up going with Bilsteins. This past weekend I put new pads and rotors in. It seems calipers for large brakes aren't readily available either.

I plan on keeping the car a long time -- what other parts are becoming scarce or hard to find these days????

Thanks,

John

If you plan to keep your C4 for a long time, get used to problems with replacement parts. I'll add that is not a function of GM's ongoing demise. GM began to widely discontinue C4 parts in the early years of this decade.

That said, on the shock issue, while GM Service Part Operations may no longer service the shocks from 89-95 w. Selective Ride, the shocks were made by Bilstein and those shocks are widely available from the aftermarket and can be rebuilt by Bilstein.

Now, if you want to talk about critical parts that are no longer available...anywhere, consider the lateral acceleration sensor for the 90-96 ABS systems.