Parts...observation

[Olav Bergman]

Hello All,
Just finished some posting and thinking about me working on the S the last few weeks.
I remember that when buying the car I thought..parts...shouldn't be a problem. I was counting on being somewhat relieved from my routine of having to buy jaguar (for my XJ)and triumph (spitfire) parts at premium prices.
I must say I am really having a harder time finding parts then I'm used to.

Ebay:..nothing for an S...The usual local internet sites: crap...
Junkyards: (scorpio..v6...2.9:nop!)
Car parts shops: "Ford doesn't have an N-type gearbox only the MT75" Aaaargh!!
Ford dealer: (partnumbers...what year..are you sure?....frowning...."No sorry"!)

Reading a few old posts the other day with people talking about S's spotted on junkyards from which they could just take the dash etc..
Only 2800 cars made....that makes a difference when scorpio's and sierra's are slowly but surely disappearing.
It seems the happy times are gone for S spares.

I usually end up with Neil from tvrcarparts (no mistake, that is fine!) and those prices are generally pretty steep. Jag and spitparts plenty on ebay and if not found there I just call one of five holland based supliers order from the glossy partscatalogue and seldom hear a "no"

No,no!I'm very happy with my car and I can't wait to drive it. Yes I will nurture and pamper it (Just added the demontweeksfuelpressureregulator-and-magnecors to ptove it) But the S is not really the "cheap" easy to maintain fordbased semi-classic I expected.

Cheers (mumble mumble)

Grumpy young man

Edited by Olav Bergman on Sunday 14th January 02:33

[garfys v8s]

olav try bell hill garage in norton st phillip ,somerset. cant remember the web address.gazza

[clarenceboddiger]

I understand where your coming from, but to put things in context one of our 1.5 yr old Ford transit Vans has had numerous faults repaired under warranty,the delivery period on the parts was as follows:-
1no. ECU 2wks delivery from Ford
1no. Diesel injector 10days delivery from Ford
1no. engine 86k miles (still waiting)
so considering the age of the S range and the numbers made, I suppose all in all parts availability isn't too bad.

Edited by clarenceboddiger on Sunday 14th January 12:09

[ketvrin]

Wait until you try looking for Leyland Sherpa van parts theres none of them anywhere... I followed one a few days ago hoping the parts I needed would fall off !
Do you have the alternative parts list? I need a new top ball joint and can see its listed at £31.50 plus postage but can order a Saab 900 unit across the counter for £16.00,

good luck with your searches

K

[tvrgit]

ketvrin said:

Wait until you try looking for Leyland Sherpa van parts theres none of them anywhere... I followed one a few days ago hoping the parts I needed would fall off !
Do you have the alternative parts list? I need a new top ball joint and can see its listed at £31.50 plus postage but can order a Saab 900 unit across the counter for £16.00,

good luck with your searches

K

Olav I don't know what the situation is like in Holland, but over here, many parts are available or replaceable - I have still never had to pay the relatively steep prices people have paid on here for some "specialist" bits. No doubt the day will come though!

I bought a brand new top ball joint, the listed Quinton Hazel one, for £11 or so from the local motor factors. As Kev says, the Saab list price is over £30.

I bought a steering column bearing and bush for £4.50. I haven't fitted it yet so I hope it's the right one! I think the going rate is about £20-odd?

Indicators - originally £5.50 from Leyland Daf, I saw a pair on ebay a couple of weeks ago for £36 - there's mark-up for you! If you can't get Leyland ones, get the orange covers for a 1996 Kia Pride. Swap over the old lens unit (the black bit) and they fit straight on - cost about £3.50 per lens from a Kia dealer. See my web site for August 06.