Has anyone used this parts supplier before?

[TulsaSpider]

Has anyone used auto parts giant? I think they are based in California. I have had trouble tracking down a rear caliper at a good price, none of my local parts suppliers can even get one. They seem to have very good prices on what I have searched for but since I haven't heard of them before. Yes I normally use the Fiat guys if I can, but if I can save $40 a piece on calipers I sure will!

http://catalog.autopartsgiant.com/index.html



http://catalog.autopartsgiant.com/ShopB ... es&mode=PA

[So Cal Mark]

I haven't heard of them, but they do seem to have pretty good prices on some stuff

[manoa matt]

Newbie,

try this site: http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductList ... =0&begin=1

Part numbers: 19239 and 19238 orders over $75 ship free. Forget about sending the cores back, you'll pay more in shipping, save the old ones for parts.

[SpiderHead]

not to mention that calipers are about as hard to rebuild as a beer can pyramid! Rebuild kits are really cheap. They consist of all of the elastomer bits for both sides... be it a front set or a back set. Buy the set for the front or back... and you can rebuild it! Its about as expensive as a happy meal, and won't challenge your mechanical abilities at all.

The "wear parts" are simple elastomer bits. a little elbow grease, and you are back on the race track brother!

um.. unless, of course you have striped threads, or catastophic damage.

-Ryan

[TulsaSpider]

Hey Matt,
I guess you guys have power eh? I spent a week last year in the deep freeze with no power **shudders** I tried that site but when you go to checkout it says that the parts are not available and to call their 1-800 number. I hate it when you research something and it looks like they have all these options, then when you actually need it, it's not availabale!!

Ryan,
A while back I had a leaking right rear caliper. I took it off and did my best to repair it. It worked for about a week, but the real problem was that I couldn't get the E-brake mechanism back together. I think it was missing a piece or something. So with that memory and research on here indicating that the E-brake part can be a pain in the ass, also this is my only transportation and I don't have a garage unfortunately. The rear center hose was blocked up on it. it had sat since 94, 14 years.. that way. when I finally got it unplugged and the fluid drained, it was bright red! Anyone else seen red brake fluid??? Who knows how long those brakes had been frozen up!! I would be tempted to rebuild the front myself as it looks pretty straightforward. How long should it take me to rebuild each front caliper?
Thanks
Clark

[So Cal Mark]

rebuilding the front calipers depends on how much corrosion/gunk is built up in the o-ring grooves. Those need to be absolutely clean, so get out a pick and scrape away. If it's not too bad figure 30 mins per caliper. Just a hint; make sure the bleeder screws will come out before spending time rebuilding the caliper

[TulsaSpider]

Ok thanks Mark that sound very do-able! yes the bleeder screws come loose, I have bled those calipers plenty of times !
I'll let you know about the supplier when I get the part etc...

[pressonregardless]

I got mine from Bruce's Parts Bin in October and the rears were $100 each, I think the core was $20 but the shipping??? I'll try to rebuild in the summer when I can wear shorts. His website is http://www.fiatparts.com you can down load the catalog. The fronts were $75, parking cable $20. He seemed real easy to work with, may be best to call on the phone. Just my 10 cents.

Charlie

[So Cal Mark]

the problem with rebuilding the rears is the park brake hardware. The kits available now are just the rubber bits. In the past you could buy a rubber kit or a master kit that came with all of the steel park brake parts. That kit sold for about $75 though, but it had spring washers, the lever, block, virtually everything except the piston and caliper housing. Now if you've got worn parts, you just replace the rubber seals. It probably explains why so many of the rebuilt rear calipers don't work very well.

[jppatin]

Howdy,
I'm sure you got your parts by now but if not, have you tried Vick's autosports they are in Fort Worth Texas. http://www.vickauto.com they are vrey helpful and usualy cheeper than international auto. Hope this helps.

Speaking of brakes my car pulls to the left when braking. I have replaced the booster, master cylinder, and front calipers. any ideas..

JP

[So Cal Mark]

Brake hoses, caliper slides, worn or loose steering pieces or suspension parts can all cause pulling

[TulsaSpider]

Actually no I still haven't gotten the part. hopefully by the end of the week. Yes I know Vick's and I support our Fiat vendors whenever I can.
Did you do all that stuff to fix the pull? or just to improve reliability in general?
Did you replace the hoses? There could be a partial blockage and cause a pressure difference, plus it's always a good idea! and all the stuff Mark just said!

[jppatin]

Yes, I have replaced one of the hoses and system bleeds fine. As far as the suspension goes I have replased everything, springs, shocks, tie rods, ball joints, controll arm bushings. I have cleaned up caliper wedges also.

JP

[So Cal Mark]

one hose? Alignment? lubed the caliper slides?

[jppatin]

Yes just one it seems fine. What kind of lube and how much?

Thanks Mark Love your web site, if I need a starter I know where to go.

JP