pricing gone wild

[Quicksilver]

Yesterday we needed 2 lower control arm bolts for my 1996 Mustang that we're refurbishing.
I went to the local Ford dealer, only to find that the 2 bolts were $46.00 each a,d would take a week to get.

Decided to take a chance on Bolts Plus. Sure enough, they had what i needed, in the same 10-9 grade. $4.45 each!!

[RedSN]

Those control arm bolts have been expensive as long as I can remember. Priced them when I had to cut the old ones out of my '90.
That's not something new.

[ZR]

Actually, the OE bolt is very specific with it's stepped shoulder, bulk bolts are not the same but yes will do the job ok. At OE prices, bet we have 2k plus worth of used OE specific bolts we keep on hand.

https://www.cjponyparts.com/media/catalog/product/cache/207e23213cf636ccdef205098cf3c8a3/h/w/hw1034.jpg

[RedSN]

Did they make a stainless version?
I've got a collection as well, and I seem to remember some of them that looked silver'ish.

[ZR]

While some have a silver-ish look to them, SS is not correct for the application.

[fast Ed]

The Ford suspension hardware can have various types of coatings, but the most common especially from that era is the greyish-silver coloured one ... forget what Ford calls it.

BTW, not sure why they were telling you a week to get as there is stock available in the Bramalea warehouse, should be able to order overnight. And yes as Don mentioned, those ones have been expensive for quite some time.


cheers
Ed

[xeninworx]

Our Hamilton Beach variable temp electric kettle started leaking. Bought it 3 years ago from Walmart at $50. Now it costs $80. So we bought some cheap ass kettle with no variable temp. I really liked that variable temperature feature too as I drink green tea and doesn’t need to be boiling hot.

[Quicksilver]

Actually, the OE bolt is very specific with it's stepped shoulder, bulk bolts are not the same but yes will do the job ok. At OE prices, bet we have 2k plus worth of used OE specific bolts we keep on hand.

https://www.cjponyparts.com/media/catalog/product/cache/207e23213cf636ccdef205098cf3c8a3/h/w/hw1034.jpg

Two bolts with washers cost me less than 10 bucks. The ford bolts would have been over 90 dollars. Even a dumb old coot like me can figure that out.

[ChickenLips]

Every time I go to the yard I keep all fasteners I pull, and have made specific trips just for hardware.

I have examples of pretty much all specialty hardware. My issue is finding the right piece and even harder, remembering what goes where. And yes I bag and tag.

Anything that is in good shape but a hint of rust goes into a bucket of evaporust for cleanup. I have looked at home brew plating. My friend in BC does it all the time. I'm not going to get set up until I'm in my next house and mega shop.

[RedSN]

I have examples of pretty much all specialty hardware. My issue is finding the right piece and even harder, remembering what goes where.
You need a computer.

[ChickenLips]

You need a computer.

I actually have a bar code scanner, but that and the associated accounting and tracking software is for another domain.