I need a few parts for my car, specifically the hatch struts which gave out on me, and I have never been to a junkyard. How does it work?

How do I know what the part is worth?

Do I remove it form the junked vehicle, or do they?

Is there a place to do a search of where I can find the part I'm looking for?


I'm a junkyard noob.

 

you basically walk in, tell them what kind of car you are looking for, the guy will tell you wher on the lot you might find one, take the part off you need and he will assign it a price

act like you know what you are doing and the part isn't worth a **** and the price might be more to your liking

have a mullet and I think it is an automatic 20% off
mullet and Lynard Skynard t-shirt = 35% off

you get the idea

 

bring your toolbox, and know what you're looking for.

Ask them if they have it, and to show you where the cars are, and go pull it. Usually cheaper if you pull it. Cheaper if you buy multiple items. All parts are open for negotiation.

 

If you can, find a junkyard where you get to remove the parts. They are generally much cheaper.

I like U-Wrench-It, but there are others like them. They have posted prices, typically the same, regardless of make or model.

You might also try a search for what you are looking for at http://car-part.com/

Junkyard scavenging is great fun! I have been doing it for years.

 

find someone w/a parts locator. they'll call up and allthe yards in the area that have the part will respond. be sure of specifics i.e. year, country made in,motor size,so on. check wrecked cars for bent parts. check if motor parts have been exposed. make sure you get what you need or that the yard will swap or help locate if part does'nt fit.i've got a 91' canadian std that i had to get the rear quarterglass for and it's all messed up where the american had the same glass one year and canadian was different 2 years blah blah... . anyways the guy picks up this phone and says he needs said glass for 1991 canada hatch, hangs up and about 15 different yards come on the line w/ the part. took 30 minutes.good luck

 

the yards in oregon don't even let you pull your own parts on the newer cars, you can only pull the parts on the 92 and older cars.

 

Thanks for the tips. Looks like I'll be junkyard hunting soon.

 

also, if its something you havent futzed with before, remove the offending item from your car first. If you break it, so what, it was busted earlier. This will make it easier to pull the item you need from the yard......

 

Salvage yards rule...where else can you get the needed manual intermediate shaft for an auto to manual conversion for $20-30...it's $200+ from the dealer. If you know what you are looking for an are willing to remove the parts yourself it will save you major $$$. I think the only part that might not be worth the effort at a salvage yard is the passenger side manual transmission mount on a G2 integra when the car is on the ground and can't be lifted...that was a major pain to remove! But salvage yards can't be beat for "dealer only" parts - A-arms, wheel hubs, windows, Motors, transmissions, shifter linkages, etc...

P.S., R.J. or anyone with a G2 integra - if you ever need the Main Relay (Fuel system and ignition) I have one that I bought from the dealer when mine crapped out after 12 years...your's free ($40+ from dealer).

P.S.S. Floyd, remember to use caution when removing the hatch struts since with one strut removed it will come down on you...and hit you in the head if you aren't watching out.... My hatch struts are worn out, but still do a fine job of raising the hatch and keeping it up ever since I removed the rear wiper and motor assembly and cover panels....


[Modified by Vracer111, 8:51 AM 3/4/2003]

 

i'll think of you when my **** is dead at the track 8 hours from home and then proceed to beat my head into a concrete wall at regular intervals.......