Parts today.......little rant

[86454K30]

So I don't normally open topics up like this but I have to ask am I the only one who deals with ordering parts "designed" for our vehicles that don't fit.
Challenge 1:
I ordered Bilstein shocks for my K20, go to install them, find no steel sleeve for a 9/16 bolt that the axle side of the mount takes. Could I weld a washer to my bracket and install a 1/2" bolt...…..sure...…...but I don't think I should have too.
Challenge 2:
Order a Bilstein stabilizer for 73-87 arrives with no hardware and 1 bushing that has to be changed to I "believe" be able to use the usual OEM single stabilizer mounting hardware. My thoughts would be it should have come with 2 bushings and the correct studs to mount it like all the other OEM replacement stabilizers from Skyjacker, Rough Country and Rancho.

I just feel as popular as these trucks are and it being 2020 that there should be "fitment" issues with parts ordered. On top of the fact I wasn't purchasing "cheap" items. Just frustrating, thankfully I know how to search for items and I ordered another bushing, a sleeve package and stabilizer studs from another source.
I might be totally wrong in my expectations.

 

[ktmoutfront]

It's not just with our trucks. It is for most things.

 

[dyeager535]

Did you bring it up to the manufacturer?

When parts are made incorrectly, or wrong part for the listed application, until someone tells them, it's an honest mistake.

When a manufacturer fails to make changes after being notified of a problem, that's a different story.

Too many people are willing to fix manufacturers errors without reporting it, to get things completed. I get it, but that doesn't help the next 20 guys, who could be done twice as fast if they received the right parts the first time.

This used to happen ALL the time when the C/K became IFS, but you had a 1987-91 R/V series truck that needed a part. It is FAR better today, it appears that with time and complaints, the errors in the parts databases were resolved.

 

[CyberSniper]

Most manufacturers send you just enough so it doesn't get returned to the seller. Anything more than that and it is wasted money to them.

 

[86454K30]

Did you bring it up to the manufacturer?

When parts are made incorrectly, or wrong part for the listed application, until someone tells them, it's an honest mistake.

When a manufacturer fails to make changes after being notified of a problem, that's a different story.

Too many people are willing to fix manufacturers errors without reporting it, to get things completed. I get it, but that doesn't help the next 20 guys, who could be done twice as fast if they received the right parts the first time.

This used to happen ALL the time when the C/K became IFS, but you had a 1987-91 R/V series truck that needed a part. It is FAR better today, it appears that with time and complaints, the errors in the parts databases were resolved.

I did contact the supplier who specializes in 73-87 so it shouldn't have been news, no response so I ordered what I needed last night.

 

[dyeager535]

Is the company you purchased it from not including the proper parts, or is it a Bilstein issue, ultimately? (And of course, if "universal" as mentioned below, then it's pretty much expected that one universal part out of a few, wont be universal)

No response from a vendor and I'd probably out them, at least if I'd tried a couple of times and methods to reach them, to make sure they dont want to deal with you, vs. Not getting your email, voicemail, being out of town, whatever.

 

[Smokinthehippies]

I would say it also depends on what you ordered. Some shocks are sold a specific fit for year/make/model at which point I’d agree with you. But I know some (the 5100s I’m thinking of) are kind of a universal genetic shock. So I could see those not coming correct.

but if they were two stepped thru a specific square body vendor I would expect them to come correctly. Or at least have a notice saying “may need additional hardware sold separately” or some such nonsense.

 

[JoshHefnerX]

Have seen/heard of similar things happening w/ moog suspension parts on the 4th gen f-bodies. At one point an engineer was contacted and they were not interested in revising the part to work properly as it didn't work out financially to retool. Not enough demand.

 

[bigjimmy82]

On a similar note, I bought a bilstein damper for my dodge, from Geno's garage. It arrived quickly and with a custom instruction sheet from Geno's with torque specs. Installed in 10mins. So customer service isn't completely dead!

But I am often reminded it's hard to find, and typically costs more, which I am learning to accept or prepare to save money but increase headaches.

 

[MAXMAN]

Hey Bud! If you ordered say 5125's by length for your truck then you got correct parts. But if you ordered application specific then you got hosed. Went through same stuff on Blacky when we redid all of the suspension. I ordered length and valving specific Bilstein's for her and had to call and get correct sleeves and bushings to fit the factory lower mounts. The shocks we purchased for the Army truck build have all worked perfect because we changed all mounts upper and lower.

 

[86454K30]

Hey Bud! If you ordered say 5125's by length for your truck then you got correct parts. But if you ordered application specific then you got hosed. Went through same stuff on Blacky when we redid all of the suspension. I ordered length and valving specific Bilstein's for her and had to call and get correct sleeves and bushings to fit the factory lower mounts. The shocks we purchased for the Army truck build have all worked perfect because we changed all mounts upper and lower.

Agreed!