Why do auto parts stores not carry bolts needed for cars

[dlundblad]

If it’s anything important, you don’t want parts store bolts anyways. They’re made by Dorman. Ick.

You're better off doing what you did and going to the hardware store.

 

[partspro]

My daughters BMW bolt broke that holds the bracket for her tensioner pulley.
OMG a nightmare getting the bracket off to remove the bolt. Its the entire oil filter housing bracket.
M8 bolt 110 mm long(4 1/8 )
Advanced or napa did not have it. Couldn't even offer to get one.
This is a grade 8.8 bolt, I guess this is a standard metric grade.
I ended up getting two at ACE that was a bit longer and will be cutting 1/4 off it so it wont bottom out.
Just venting why auto parts stores don't have what we need to repair our cars.

i was a commercial parts pro at advance auto for over 7 years and i still know where that bolt would be, at least the metric thread. the question is a a fellow beamer owner, i'm about to get my third in a couple of days, why did the bolt break. now back to advance, the carquest deal is garbage. and i have first hand bad experience . needed a new gas cap, part was garbage it broke off leaving a piece in the filler so i could not pump gas. i returned the cap and blasted the women to get me the store tools to get the piece out, which i did and used the original part that is now 15 years old !!

 

[partspro]

My daughters BMW bolt broke that holds the bracket for her tensioner pulley.
OMG a nightmare getting the bracket off to remove the bolt. Its the entire oil filter housing bracket.
M8 bolt 110 mm long(4 1/8 )
Advanced or napa did not have it. Couldn't even offer to get one.
This is a grade 8.8 bolt, I guess this is a standard metric grade.
I ended up getting two at ACE that was a bit longer and will be cutting 1/4 off it so it wont bottom out.
Just venting why auto parts stores don't have what we need to repair our cars.

i believe much of this thread is about parts for so called older vehicles, or the exotic metric stuff. i think that the good ole USA should bite the tongue and convert to the metric system. on a side note not all advance stores are created equal, mine was a hub store at least 2 of my large commercial accounts had total lifetime purchases of close to a million bucks. my car only goes to geoff at big g for maintenance

 

[JC1]

It just doesn't make sense from an economic sense for them (or their suppliers actually) to stock what are effectively, and rightly so, almost "dealer only parts". A particular fastener may only be used on one vehicle model for a component that rarely needs replaced.

I'm also guessing that most people given a car that's older wouldn't bother doing these repairs, when the cost of the repair at a dealer is probably as much as the car is worth. Since I'm going this repair myself. I'm saving at least 50% if not more.

 

[zzyzzx]

Even big box hardware stores don't carry a lot of common automotive hardware. Had to go to a local hardware store to find them.

Big box hardware stores normally (at least in the US) do not carry much in the way of metric hardware, which is disappointing.
I do wonder how that works in Canada.

 

[JC1]

Big box hardware stores normally (at least in the US) do not carry much in the way of metric hardware, which is disappointing.
I do wonder how that works in Canada.

I checked Home Depot and Lowe's. HD was a waste of time but it's close to my house, So I always check there first. Lowe's had one or two metric M10 *80 mm 1.25 thread they are all in separate bags. Also checked Canadian Tire which didn't have anything longer than a 60mm bolt.

We don't have Ace hardware, so that's not an option. Place I went was a local independent industrial fastener supply and the girl at the counter was very helpful.

 

[zzyzzx]

I checked Home Depot and Lowe's. HD was a waste of time but it's close to my house, So I always check there first. Lowe's had one or two metric M10 *80 mm 1.25 thread they are all in separate bags. . Place I went was a local independent industrial fastener supply and the girl at the counter was very helpful.

Thank you for the response! However, it was exactly what I was expecting.

 

[JC1]

No problem it's just a big time waster when you are trying to get something fixed. Good thing I don't need the car right away. I have extra bolts now for the next repair 15 years from now lol.

 

[zzyzzx]

No problem it's just a big time waster when you are trying to get something fixed. Good thing I don't need the car right away. I have extra bolts now for the next repair 15 years from now lol.

I've been ordering these in metric off eBay (and in stainless steel) and keeping a small stock of them for use on cars:

 

[RooflessVW]

HD came in clutch when I snapped most of my trans pan bolts off the Touareg.

 

[tblt44]

One thing I learned is she just got to make sure you get the correct grade Bolt

 

[hytibilly]

Yeah I couldn't get caliper pins for my Ford Fusion.

 

[2strokeNorthstar]

Try the dealer? I had to get some odd sized bolts for my BMW in the past and the dealer had them next day for a few dollars.

 

[The motor guy]

Go to the "Specialty Fasteners" section of Home Depot. They could well have it.

LOL! That's where they keep their grade 5 bolts