If you like to work on your own vehicles instead of taking them to a mechanic, you need to have knowledge about basic auto parts. We aren't professionals either but we do know enough to make minor repairs on our vehicles. We've learned what we know by talking to mechanics and reading books on auto repair.
We've written this auto parts blog to give you basic information about various car parts and how they work. We'll also tell you the signs to look for when a part is going bad. We think that you'll find our blog helpful and informative whenever you need to fix your vehicle.
The Basics Of Salvage Yard Auto Parts Acquisition
When you are looking for the most cost-effective options for the auto parts that you need, a salvage yard is a great choice. Salvage yards are a great solution because they have functional parts available from all sorts of vehicles, and those parts are often much cheaper than their retail counterparts. Here's a look at some of the things that you should know before you buy that first part from an auto salvage yard.
Know How To Access The Part You Need
The very first thing you need to consider before you get any parts from a salvage yard is making sure that you know exactly how to remove the part in question. Many salvage yards are "you pull" facilities, which means you'll go out to the car you need and remove the part yourself. Since you can't be sure that you'll have any kind of cell service for videos or other instructions, take time to familiarize yourself with the removal process before you get there. That way, you can just get in there and get it done.
Bring Plenty Of Tools With You
Not only should you be sure that you have the tools that you know for sure you need for the part in question, but you should also make sure you have a variety of other sizes of wrenches, sockets, and screwdrivers just in case there are other pieces that you need to remove. Consider bringing a work light and a hammer as well, just in case.
Call Ahead To Be Sure They Have What You Need
Most salvage yards won't send someone out to the yard to make sure that the part you need is still on the car you're looking at, but they will confirm for you how many of that make and model they have. Call ahead and ask because the more of those cars they have onsite, the better your chances are of getting the part you need.
Not only should you ask about the specific year, make, and model of the vehicle you're working on, but you should also consider the year ranges, makes, and models that might have the same part. Many vehicles have parts that are interchangeable and knowing which ones those are for the car you're working on can help improve your chances overall.
These are a few of the things you should know before you venture into a salvage yard for the first time. Check with a few salvage yards near you today for the parts that you need.