Bolt on Parts... ...that don't.

[Johnjan]

What is it with aftermarket manufacturers? On my project (so far) it took three returns for a very "grizzly" aftermarket brake company to get rear caliper brackets that fit on to the axle flange on my 10 bolt (and even then required clearancing with a die grinder), I'm now returning a thermostat housing to another prominent maker of "specialty" billet aluminum parts because it wouldn't even bolt to the intake manifold, and a very "vintage" maker of really cool engine accessory mounting brackets sent me a real "runner" of a system with a) no room for a readily available heater hose nipple to the water pump, and b) will not let you mount the main alternator/AC compressor mount if the power steering pump/pully is already in place - which is the typical order of assembly.

Does one need his own machine shop to be a comsumer of aftermarket parts?

[Happyfunballs]

I purchased a "bolt-on" exhaust system from Flowmaster. It took me 3 days, numerous welding rods, a few grinding wheels, and a bucket of patients to bolt it in.

[killer69]

A machine shop would be a good idea.

We do lots of different things , lift kits ( rarley do all the parts fit or are they all included) wheels ( poor finish delivery is an issue also) i find MOST of the performance parts except headers are not too bad but if you think it will take an hour to do the job think again. and the thing that is the WORST!!! is the part is in the catalog with a part # .......... oh we don't actually make that part.................yet, should be ready in about 4-6 weeks............ thanks but no thanks i will order one from the other guys.I saw this cool part at SEMA in 04 Still not available...... why bother what a waste of everyones time

[Johnjan]

Funyy thing about Happy's comment - I've installed two Flowmaster systems and they couldn't have been easier. The one on the Camaro took some cutting to length of the pipes, that's to be expected; the one on my truck was so easy it probably would have bolted itself on if I had just tossed the pipes in the direction of the driveway...

[TitoJones]

You won't have that issue with any ATS stuff. We make sure it fits before we send anything out. I got tired of using universal fit items that universally didn't fit anything.

Tyler

[Bill Howell]

I got tired of using universal fit items that universally didn't fit anything.

Tyler

Now that is a mouth full. You should make that your signature!

[ProdigyCustoms]

Well, I had issues of "Global" proportions recently with some bolt on suspension products on a fairly high profile car.

[StRacerDuke]

LOL, I've had to modify every trim piece from a "original parts" manufacture that I've recieved in the past two weeks. Cheap chinese quality has cost me at least two weeks of extra work so far.

Frank, I feel you on having issues of "Global" proportion on front suspension parts. We've had some major fitment issues as well.

[toxicz28]

After 4 extra hours modifying the pass quarter on my 69 Camaro to even come close to fitting the tailpan, they were "good" and "marked" up!

[Steve1968LS2]

This thread = at all the cleaver inuendos..

:D

I have had to "massage" a few parts to get them to fit also... I guess it adds the challenge and you get that much more satisfaction when it's done..

[blackbeast]

This thread = at all the cleaver inuendos..

:D

I have had to "massage" a few parts to get them to fit also... I guess it adds the challenge and you get that much more satisfaction when it's done..

i don't even want to know what "parts" you were "massaging" and where you were trying to "fit" them.

satisfaction indeed

[indyjps]

come on guys thats the fun of doing cars (please remove the caps lock before answering).
i understood the issue a few years ago when the aftermarket was not as advanced as it is today with all the solid modeling etc. but for as much as these parts cost they should fit better. so it comes down to how old and twisted was the car they took measurements off of, or if they took measurements from the factory assembly manual, how twisted is your own car by now. think about some of these cars now on maybe their 3rd or 4th set of quarter panels, or in some type of collision or @ least ditch dive somewhere along the line. the exhaust issue is unexcusable, it should be close.

[JLM]

Though it doesn't surprise me to hear of how many issues people have/are having with aftermarket parts I can at least be an advocate.

During the build of my 69 Firebird I have not had a single part that did not work as intended on the first install. I've purchased pretty much all the body work and parts from Ames performance.

I haven't made it to the suspension yet though...

[Johnjan]

Indy, you make a really good point about body parts. i was real lucky there that my car had never been hit, uhh hard.

But, sheesh, a thermostat housing that won't fit an intake manifold? Caliper brackets that won't seat on the axle flange of what is arguably the most popular rear end assembly in existence? And an accessory bracket that interferes with itself while assembling? Heck, we're talking thousands of an inch tolerance in all three cases.

Slightly more conservative design such as slightly enlarging the bolt holes on the thermostat housing would allow some float to fit much easier. Boring the hole in the caliper brackets an additonal .020" and it would seat perfectly on the axle flange every time. Allowing the power steering pump to sit .100" lower on the bracket would provide worlds of clearance during installation.

Perfection in design and manufacturing doesn't just mean the bolts fit with near zero clearance and it's got a great surface finish, it means the part fits the intended application with less than a 16oz ball peen of persuasion!

[Elusive R]

I don't think there are very many aftermarket companies out there that won't have problems now and then. Sometimes tolerances just stack up the wrong way, but there's no excuse for some of the things you guys mention (poor finish quality, missing parts, no room for hoses, etc). Just all the more reason to put OE parts on in my opinion, although that's probably worth only about $.001 after taxes.

Ryan

[kennyd]

i have a chevelle that the 1/4 panel body lines are 1/2in wider than the door body lines these dont seam to be a real "good - mark " to shoot for !

[USAZR1]

I'm sorta disappointed in you older guys. "Bolt-on parts,,don't" is one of the irrefuteable laws of Murphy.

FWIW,my Global parts fit fine w/o issues. Maybe they were built on Wednesday.

[z4me69]

hey if you guys dont like the way the aftermarket parts fit your cars . try building a bike three times expensive and nothing fits but thats part of it its why we all play with the cars and bikes .

[Travis B]

I'm sorta disappointed in you older guys. "Bolt-on parts,,don't" is one of the irrefuteable laws of Murphy.

FWIW,my Global parts fit fine w/o issues. Maybe they were built on Wednesday.

I think frank and bill were just misinformed by global west and the wheels wouldn't fit but after a slight bs adjustment the GW parts were fine! I THINK

[USAZR1]

hey if you guys dont like the way the aftermarket parts fit your cars . try building a bike three times expensive and nothing fits but thats part of it its why we all play with the cars and bikes .

Man,you got that right.