couple questions about AutoKrafters for anyone that has ordered from them

OK #1 They have a product listed in their Maverick catalog, (the paper catalog and the downloadable .PDF version as well) The item does not come up on their website when you put in the item number or when I do a search for the item. BTW it just happens to be the brake hardware kit and the self adjuster repair kit for my 72 maverick. Other similar kits come up online but NOT the one they have listed for my car because it has the smaller 9 inch brakes (because it was and still is a 200 inline 6 and not the 250 or 302)

Anyway has it been anyone elses experience ( I think I read this somewhere on this board) that they (AutoKrafters) have items that the do sell that are listed in the catalog but they don't show up online so therefore I am going to have to call and put the order in over the phone...


#2 and related to the first question. Is there anyone in particular that I should talk to at AutoKrafters when I call? I know some of these companies have people that know of our club and certain people here on the board only deal with certain people at certain companies. So who is the best person at AutoKrafters to ask for if I want to make sure I get the correct information and make sure my order gets filled correctly?

 

Why not get the brake parts from www.rockauto.com or a local parts house.

 

I got all that stuff from Checker.

 

yeah, you're local parts house should have it or be able to get it in a day or two and will be cheaper than Autokrafters, plus you dont have to wait as long nor pay shipping

 

Autokrafters charges a straight $10 for handling. Not a problem for big purchases, but for something small like this, it can tack on a bit to the cost, relatively speaking

Also, last time I called, they transferred me to a guy that worked in the "maverick department" so I talked to someone who knew what was going on.

 

I get all the common stuff at NAPA. It's amazing what they can get.

 

Over the years I've placed 3 or 4 orders with Autokrafters, everything was always on back order. The last order was for a set of interior door handles. They had one side but it took about 3 months to get the other side.

 

In answer to the question why not get it from a local parts store. The reason is our local parts stores normally sell junk and they don't carry the stuff like the hardware kit that has all the springs and pins and clips or the self adjuster parts. They sell the base stuff like the wheel cylinders and the brake shoes and sometimes they have the flex lines but most of the time those type parts are refurbished or "remanufactured" and are not always the best quality.

I was going to order the stuff from AutoKrafters because I know that quite a few of the members here have used them and from my understanding they are familiar with our cars. Like Scooper said I had heard that they have a person that works at AutoKrafters that knows "maverick" stuff and that way I would be pretty sure I am getting the correct parts and not some junky crap that don't fit from Auto Zone or Advanced Auto. I have purchased parts from both of those chain auto parts stores in my area, gotten the parts home and they were either the wrong part all together or it was the correct part and after I took the time to install it only to find out it was broken or didn't work just like the part that I was replacing.

So Basically I just figured since AutoKrafters deals specifically with Classic Ford (Maverick) parts. They have a specific catalog just for Maverick Parts and I had the impression that they carry pretty good quality merchandise So I figured I would just order from them and make it easy on myself.

I have just been extremely busy at work during the day (which is why I haven't been posting here lately) and haven't had time to call AutoKrafters to ask them about the parts and by the time I get home in the evenings they are closed, so I figured I would type a quick note here and see what other people's experience with them has been

 

I love Auto Krafters. I buy stuff from them. I work with them to develop new parts.


Having said that.....there is no way I would order brake parts from them. They are getting brake parts from the same places that you mentioned. They have no more information about brakes than the guy behind the counter at Advance Auto. Do yourself a favor and save your self a lot of headaches.....buy those parts locally.

My 2 cents.

 

hardware kit....
http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductList.aspx?parttype=354&ptset=A&searchfor=Hardware+Kit

self adjuster kit....
http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductList.aspx?parttype=367&ptset=A&searchfor=Self+Adjuster+Kit

wheel cylinders....
http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductList.aspx?parttype=232&ptset=A&searchfor=Wheel+Cylinder

brake shoes....
front:
http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductList.aspx?parttype=219&ptset=A&searchfor=Brake+Pad+%2f+Shoes%2c+Front

rear:
http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductList.aspx?parttype=220&ptset=A&searchfor=Brake+Pad+/+Shoes,+Rear


and having been a store manager at oru local Advance Auto, the only items that are reman'd are master cylinder and brake calipers when it comes to hydraulics. ALL hoses and lines are new, as are wheel cylinders. brakes shoes are reman'd as well but that's not hydraulic. needless to say that there's always a 'cheaper alternative' at a parts store but everything goes back to that old saying "you get what you pay for".

All major parts houses work under the same principle no matter where you go, and most share the same or simular contract deals with outside manufacturers which allow most (if not all) chain stores to sell the 'same' parts in different boxes. like Craig mentioned, it's all the same. just some boxes are red and some are black.....

 

That is the kind of information I was looking for. Like I said though the only problem is I can't find this stuff locally

http://www.autokrafters.com/v4/go.g...products&show_product_id=490391&product=23641



or http://www.autokrafters.com/v4/go.g...products&show_product_id=800072&product=23641

and whil I know I can soak and clean and freshen mine up I wanted to just replace everythng all together while I was doing one thing I wanted to replace everything.

like I mentioned I can get the shoes and wheel cylinders and the drums and those type thinks I just can't find the parts like the self adjusters and the springs and pins and stuff Locally....

BTW the parts I listed about from their website is for the 10 x 2-1/2 inch brakes for a 250 or 302 car and I need the 9 x 2-1/4 parts.

 

see above

 

well thank you kind sir. I looked and looked and could not find those parts to save my arse. I have it bookmarked now and will probably order them for Advanced/Partsamerica.com

 

glad i could help

 

I deal mainly with Carquest up here. Ray the manager knows his product and treats me well. Dont care if I can get it cheaper somewhere else. If he says I'll have it tomorrow its there tomorrow. If he says its here at 3pm its there at 3pm. They can get just about anything I need for the Mav. Even got me window handles for 8 bucks the next day.
Any specialty items I have ordered from AK. were easy to order and quick over the phone. Had some issues with weatherstrips but got them resolved. I think Craig may have offered advice if I remember right. The guy on the phone knew exactly what I needed. Not once did I think he was lost as this happens a lot between myself and parts guys. (my employer doesnt stick with Carquest) No offence but some stores hire anyone who can read.
My biggest rule in the auto trade is you get what you pay for.
The jobbers usually carry better brake hardware kits than the dealer anyhow. YOu must have a Carquest or something near by.