[CrashTestDummy]

:set rant=ON

While chasing a rattle in the back of the B4C, I noticed that the rear bump stops had deteriorated. Much like the spats on our 86 SVO, they just fell to the floor of the shop in crumbly pieces. Looking around, I discovered that the poly replacement pieces require you to cut part of the mounting surface away from the body. Not willing to do that, this IS a mostly-stock B4C 1LE car, I opted to just use factory replacements.

It looks like Dorman is the only co that has anything that's not poly for the 3rd Gen, P/N 31068, so I ordered a pair of these, not cheap, repros. I decided today was the day to do that, and after getting the back end off the ground and the wheels off, went to work. Being a mostly unmolested Texas car, the bolts came off will little effort, albeit more than I wanted to do, given my current state of rehab from shoulder surgery. Anyway, I started to bolt the new ones in place, and the freaking bolt holes don't line up with the body!!!!! I verified the P/N, but sure enough, the bolt holes are about 1/8-3/16" off. After drilling the holes out to 1/2" and slotting them with my die grinder, I got them on the car.

I'm really p1ssed that these things pass off as OEM replacements. It's not like I'm trying to fab a part for some rare, odd car. I can't wait to get my 'we'd love you to review your purchase' email from the reseller!!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

The rattle, BTW, was a mis-assembled rear sway bar end link. I don't remember when, or who did the work, it was certainly me, with, or without help. Who knows. It's all better now. THAT sh1t fit!

:set rant=OFF
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This post has been edited by CrashTestDummy: Jun 15 2023, 09:11 PM

[CrashTestDummy]

I'm finding a LOT of that, too. I'm in the middle of replacing a failed heater core on our SVO. While it's a Fox-body car, and the made millions of the things, most, it seems, with A/C, there's no longer a heater core that fits properly. The current units are all aluminum, and supposedly subject to early failure. Additionally, you have to wrap them in insulation foam so they don't rattle around in the evaporator box once installed. They're also made in China. The really bad part is that 1: when they fail, they usually pour antifreeze in the passenger floorboard, and 2: it's a HUGE PITA to R&R the things, requiring the dash to almost have to come completely out, usually breaking 30+year-old plastic bits while you're doing the work.

I'm waiting for another unit that supposedly has a Fjiord P/N, and the pictures show a brass/copper construction, although it won't be the first time the seller has just posted some random picture off the interwebs to use on their web stores.

I'm also looking for a decent pepper mill. One that will last longer than a year, and puts out more than a grain of pepper a minute. I seem to have been shown one, but it's $200! I located one that appears to be a Chinese knockoff for $130. I showed my wife the second unit, and she said that looks good. My reply was that it was a Chinese knockoff. Knowing the fun we've had with the SVO heater core and Camaro bump stops, her reply to that was "The $200 is on its way. Happy Father's Day!"