Replacement parts

[Fhunter1]

Morning All,

I had a frustrating weekend in the shop working on 2 different vehicles.

I gave up long ago on the local parts stores as everything is in a computer and most of the folks working there don't know the difference between a spark plug and a wheel stud, but that is a different discussion.

So I have taken to researching my own parts digging out part numbers and trying to purchase parts on-line from reputable parts suppliers.

This weekend I had no less than 3 new parts that either failed or were not manufactured properly. All supplied by or manufactured by companies with a reputation of supplying good quality parts. I won't name them here but I will tell you what happened.

On the VW, window regulator failed due to poor spot welds on reinforcement - new parts only used to raise & lower window in garage - 0 miles on the road. Fuel pickup on bottom of fuel tank that had incomplete weld between flange and fuel pick-up. Nice fuel leak. Pulled and installed the tank 3 time before I found the problem

On the truck the exterior door handle gaskets are not an match for the OEM, not a crisis but really how hard is that? And last but not least is the interior door handle that had the linkage hole too small to install the link rod.

So I re-welded the window regulator, called the supplier of the fuel fitting and a new one is on the way, drilled out the door handle so the link rod fit and ignored the handle gaskets.

I don't want to waste time reworking new parts but I am really sick of this. Where do you guys buy good quality replacement parts or should I just start to look for NOS stuff!