How long do you keep parts before actually installing them and doing the work?

[slacktide_bitog]

I have a few things that I've had for 3 years waiting to be installed

Other times, I installed parts a year or two after buying them.

Does anyone else do this?

 

[B1974]

I have a new off road X pipe for my 2006 Mustang GT that's been sitting in my garage in the box since 2010ish. Chickened out on going with no cats.

 

[The_Jeff]

Even consumables I keep a couple years' supply: oil filters, wiper blades, tires.

I have a 7-year-old clutch that never went into my old Dodge plow truck I just sold. Old one was fine.

 

[JunkdrawerDog]

I got burned a few times buying parts for project cars and bikes that never came to fruition. I don't do that anymore. I try to not buy anything in that I can't install relatively soon.

 

[earlyre]

ummm... I have a replacement buckle receiver for the middle of my back seat that I ordered in....2021(?) still sitting in the box on the shelf...
and a replacement backup camera I ordered about a year ago.....i'll get to it one day....

 

[earlyre]

I have a new off road X pipe for my 2006 Mustang GT that's been sitting in my garage in the box since 2010ish. Chickened out on going with no cats.

My Brother has all sorts of parts for mustangs he no longer owns. and some upgrades for the one he still has, but NEVER does anything with ( 98 GT, 14,500 mi garage queen) he has a ford racing branded upper intake cuz the factory ones are known to break, and he has the full Front and rear suspension and IRS rear end from a 60k mi New edge Cobra that he planned to swap in....12 or more years ago... More sets of wheels and outdated tires than i can count, etc...

...but he's not a Hoarder or anything...

 

[Donald]

I have a GE induction cooktop still in the box for a year. I will get to it as soon. .

 

[iCurious]

Yes - on automotive parts from dealership sales.

 

[walterjay]

Other than some oil and wiper blades I don't have anything laying around.

 

[wings&wheels]

long enough to give them to the next owners.....

 

[fdcg27]

I will stockpile consumables like filters, oil, wiper blades, and sometimes tires and brakes (if at a really compelling price).
Other than that, I buy or order what I need at the moment.
I do still have an old VW Type IV camshaft, though.

 

[Aichiguy]

Usually 2 or 3 days. I hate clutter and I've been burned also on cars I sold before I installed the parts.

 

[Sedin26]

If I’m doing a job on a vehicle I own I usually buy pretty much all parts that would make sense to replace while doing the job but invariably I don’t use them all. I end up with a bit of a surplus over time!

 

[supton]

Car parts, not that long. Spares just in case, sure.

Other hobbies? no comment.

 

[amateurbob]

The alternator on my Accord has been operating at 14.2 to 14.4 volts. I bought a new one 6 months ago expecting it to die any minute.

 

[FowVay]

I don't know how it happens but I tend to order parts when the weather is nice and install them when the temperatures drop into the teens and the snow is blowing under the garage door.

I only hoard maintenance items such as filters and bulbs, everything else is part of a maintenance event that is well thought-out and planned.

Although, tonight the wife comes home and says her headlight bulb is out. I normally keep a couple of H7 bulbs in my stash since I can get them for $2 from the Rock but tonight I had zero inventory. I was robbed when I had to go to WalMart and pay $16 for a cheap, basic, Sylvania H7 bulb. I was caught off-guard and I paid dearly.

 

[Snagglefoot]

I have a set of front struts for a 2005 Ford Taurus that I still have after several years. Also for my 2008 Suburban I have an AC Delco water pump and starter that I wanted have to just in case, but the originals are still rockin’ after 18 years. I bought those front struts when Rock Auto had a promotion but it was the rear struts that I needed at that time.

 

[Escape08]

I saw a rebuilt starter for my Isuzu for $20.00 with shipping on eBay which I cna't resist. I had it maybe more than 10 years now and haven't used it

 

[ClutchDisc]

Well I have a full front brake system (pads, rotors, lines, calipers etc) sitting in my garage for my 2006 Sienna. Going to be swapping the front brakes for Gen 3 brakes. Just need time and some good weather. The parts have been there for the last probably two months.

Oh and I have a passenger front axle and tie rods for it too. Also all waiting for a good opportunity….

 

[Snagglefoot]

In the case of my front struts, at this point nothing is wrong with the front end, but eventually I may need a new wheel bearing, a new axle, a new tie rod end.
and a new control arm ball joint. Removing the front strut means all these parts are suddenly accessible. Might as well wait until something more needs replacement. This is assuming that the coil spring does not break. I believe the 2005 coil spring was better built than the 2000, which did fail on my 2000 Taurus.

Also, if doing a wheel bearing and a strut I can totally remove the rusty knuckle and take it to a machine shop to press out and reinstall a new bearing rather than me spending a day trying to pound out the original bearing.