mattimuss Posted December 29, 2014 Report Share Posted December 29, 2014 I finally got the rear end back in the '41 today...the good part! While preparing to do this job I spent a while collecting all the replacement parts I would need. I placed an order with AB [you figure it out, they advertise on this forum] for several parts thinking they would be good, quality parts. I guess I figured wrong... I ordered a set of rear leaf spring shackles [among several other things]. These must be made in China! When I opened the boxes I found that each of them had a loose stud. They came with cheap, what look like aluminum nuts that are metric. The studs are threaded M10x1.00 and the nuts are 17mm. Why would I want to start mixing metric and SAE on my car? I don't... The worst part was when I tried to tighten the nuts three of them stripped out. I was going to call AB tomorrow and ask for replacements, however after doing a search for "AB & quality" on this forum I quickly deduced that would be a waste of time, I guess I'll fix them myself. What a serious waste of $70! OK, I'm done... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deathbound Posted December 29, 2014 Report Share Posted December 29, 2014 I'm done with most of the "import crap from China" middlemen too. I'd rather repair/rebuild (if possible) or find good used or NOS/NORS parts on ebay & pay MORE for quality! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ulu Posted December 29, 2014 Report Share Posted December 29, 2014 (edited) I don't recall that outfit ever being known for good window or interior rubber stuff, but I ordered lots of other parts from them in the 80's and was very satisfied. Including shackles, bushings, and engine mounts, BTW. There is a local hardware company here that is famous because their originators invented something called the Fresno Scraper or box scraper in the 1980's. 1890's (!) It has always been the go-to place for all specialty hardware and good quality tools. In the past few years it's become little better than Harbor freight. Time marches on... <edit....sorry, I meant the 1890's> Edited December 29, 2014 by Ulu Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1940plymouth Posted December 29, 2014 Report Share Posted December 29, 2014 Matt, check out the POC forum, some one posted about shackles for his ''38 being made in NJ, might be worth a phone call, text, or email Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_shel_ny Posted December 29, 2014 Report Share Posted December 29, 2014 (edited) Ownership of the business has changed hands. (about 2 years) You might get a positive response from a phone call. Edit: from Chris Edited December 29, 2014 by shel_ny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcmiller Posted December 29, 2014 Report Share Posted December 29, 2014 I got a prompt refund from this vendor when I complained about a product. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Coatney Posted December 29, 2014 Report Share Posted December 29, 2014 mattimuss, on 28 Dec 2014 - 11:54 PM, said:mattimuss, on 28 Dec 2014 - 11:54 PM, said: I finally got the rear end back in the '41 today...the good part! While preparing to do this job I spent a while collecting all the replacement parts I would need. I placed an order with AB [you figure it out, they advertise on this forum] for several parts thinking they would be good, quality parts. I guess I figured wrong... I ordered a set of rear leaf spring shackles [among several other things]. These must be made in China! When I opened the boxes I found that each of them had a loose stud. They came with cheap, what look like aluminum nuts that are metric. The studs are threaded M10x1.00 and the nuts are 17mm. Why would I want to start mixing metric and SAE on my car? I don't... The worst part was when I tried to tighten the nuts three of them stripped out. I was going to call AB tomorrow and ask for replacements, however after doing a search for "AB & quality" on this forum I quickly deduced that would be a waste of time, I guess I'll fix them myself. What a serious waste of $70! OK, I'm done... Prior to venting here I think a call to the vendor would be in order. If the vendor does not give a helpful response then do the venting. But at least give the guy a chance. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ulu Posted December 29, 2014 Report Share Posted December 29, 2014 I suspected that ownership had changed more than once over the years from seeing the ads. My paper Bernbaum catalog is from '86. I always called them to get the latest info on parts as the catalog is just sorta general info (though still very helpful for interchange & reference purposes, which is why I have kept it.) I was still happily buying a few bits there up until I put my P15 aside, about 2003 I believe. Cups and boots, clinder kits for the brake...that kind of thing. I still have those unused, in boxes & it's all US quality stuff. One thing i know fore sure, customer service is king, and every good business knows and practices that. They're not all equally successful, but please do give them a chance. Remember that not too many outfits are servicing this hobby as in the old days. We don't want to run them all off if we can help it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ggdad1951 Posted December 30, 2014 Report Share Posted December 30, 2014 agreed. It IS a matter of time before good vendors we rely on will end up closing up shop. I have no idea if Robert's has a kid that will take over the business like he did from his father. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ulu Posted December 30, 2014 Report Share Posted December 30, 2014 Well Fiat bought Chrysler from Benz so any crazy thing might be possible in this world. It wouldn't surprise me if some outfit like Penske started buying up all the old parts distributors. I don't see an end to Chinese parts and tools, but slowly their stuff is getting better on the average, and nearly top notch in some categories. Anyhow, once rapid prototyping in metal becomes reality, lots of obsolete parts can be created on a short run basis, & even one-off pieces will become practical. If you can print a plastic buck in 3D, then literally spray it with metal, even fenders and such might soon be created from a digital scan, without die sets. Hell, us old farts might even live to see that happen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattimuss Posted December 31, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 31, 2014 Penske does seem to be buying everything in sight. They just bought a local Ford dealership that had been owned by the original family since opening in 1927... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plymouthcranbrook Posted December 31, 2014 Report Share Posted December 31, 2014 My parts, few that I did buy, from AB have been ok. Right parts and pretty fast shipping. I have come to believe that China has many facets for parts manufacturers. We joke among ourselves whether the parts we bought were made on the good side of the street or the bad side. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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