IAP u-joints - more junk

[dwc]

Anyone else have trouble fitting IAP's u-joints on their 115 Spider? I had read on the Alfa Digest once, some time ago, that they were too large across to fit properly, and bought the set on my '74 Spider from Centerline this past Spring. They fit perfectly. Well, I was too stupid to remember that two days ago when I ordered a set for my '87 Spider from IAP. Guess what? Too big, just as was posted here, by several thousandths, so I can't install the circlips. The cups also feel a bit loose in their bores, which isn't good, either.

So, continuing with my stupidity, I called IAP to yell. Carl asks me what year my Spider is, and when I reply '87, he says that some '87 Spiders are different from every other Spider made from '71-'94. Just some '87's . . . really? Any bets what Carl would have said if I had an '83 Spider? Carl was helpful, though, recommending that next time I buy them from NAPA. I'll take that advice.

Please stop buying parts from these idiots, it only lets them keep doing the same thing to us all, selling junk. I've been burned on hydraulics, a clutch kit, and electric parts in the last several years. My fault I got hosed again, but I was in a hurry.

[dwc]

Well, I got out the old micrometer, and much to my surprise (not) the u-joint yokes on both my '74 and '87 Spider are in fact of identical dimensions (+/- 0.0015"). Could it be that Carl, IAP parts "expert" was wrong in his statement that some '87 driveshafts are different from all the rest? But, the IAP u-joints are nearly 0.060" larger across than the original (or Centerline replacement) u-joints, which clearly explains why the circlips don't fit. Thanks again, IAP.

Good news - www.partsamerica.com or Advance Discount Auto Parts, here in the South, had the proper u-joints in stock and I just bought a set. $16/pair versus $58 from IAP, another shock. NAPA also had them for $10 each.

[jrflyboyVP2]

Interesting, I had that same experience with IAP u-joints way back in 89 for my 76 spider. The one's I got from Centerline this year worked great.

John

[JoeCab]

You have to be careful with u-joints. Beck Arnley is the 800 pound gorilla of the parts business, and they had (or may still have) a bad listing for this part. Since so many other companies use Beck Arnley as a cross reference, the error keeps getting repeated...

Joe

[jarrington]

Joe's a class act and won't say this, but if he knows that there's an incorrect listing going around then IAP should as well. For IAP to continue to repeat the same error since 1989(!?!) is just ridiculous.

-Jason

[dwc]

As I mentioned, the u-joints I bought earlier this year from Centerline were right on the money. Exact fit, no troubles. But on this occasion I was pressed for time, and I'm in IAP's second-day delivery zone, so that's who I called. And, as I opined earlier, Carl at IAP doesn't have a clue, and to say that my '87 driveshaft was different from all the rest makes him too stupid to argue with. I've never had such a ridiculous situation occur with any other Alfa parts vendor, but with IAP, it's just a way of doing business.

Anyway, the u-joints I bought locally (why didn't I think of that 2 days ago?) fit fine, and even have a grease fitting, which is something I've always liked. They're US-made, in Allis-Chalmers boxes, so I'm betting my 2-liter won't turn them into pretzels anytime soon. And for <$8 each, I stole them. Just on general principle, I'm sending all the stuff I bought this time back to IAP; the 2 u-joints, a giubo, an oil pump o-ring, and the oil pan gaskets. I was able to get IAP to pick up the return shipping, too.

FWIW, I think Joe is being too generous by perhaps placing the blame on Beck-Arnley as a wholesaler. It's not like NAPA sold me the wrong parts. IAP is an Alfa-specific parts retailer, and for them to not correct a known problem just shows their lack of concern and respect for their customers.

[Antiacus]

Dang, just got IAP u-joints in the mail

I've always thought the clutch i got from IAP was just a bad install, now you're making me wonder.

[Lauris]

Hallo everyone. I have a problems thith spare parts for A/R Spider 1984 thith 2.0 engine. I need a wick, it`s a pad under the carburetor. The original part i can not to get, becose this part is aut of production. Who can help me???

[gamebowser]

I bought u-joint for 87 Graduate from Centerline, and it didn't fit. The machine shop had to sand off some metal from the yolk to fit it in.

[Farace]

Not to make an excuse for IAP, but sometimes I wonder if it makes a difference who you get on the phone there. I've reached someone named Jake a couple of times who really seemed to go out of his way to find some parts I needed, and who jumped up and ran out to the warehouse to dig something out and check it. That being said, like Dean, I usually order from IAP only when I need something a little bit faster, since it's much closer. Centerline has always given me wonderful service, however, and they're almost always a little cheaper, so if I'm not in a rush, I order from them.

Almost more on topic, when I replaced the u-joints in my Spider, I found I had two different sizes! I think I can blame a previous owner, because I haven't found anyone else that's had the same problem.

[hutchensgd]

I agree with the comments about Jake, he was very knowledgeable about my GTV6! In addition, although I have not purchased any u-joints, I have had great success with IAP. Alfa is notorious for design changes without great serial number breaks. This makes things very challenging. I recently had a hell of a tough time with an ignition switch which seemed to by a hybrid that was not available. I had to modify the switch to get it to work. I guess I could have been upset with IAP, but in this case it was all Alfa!

[Alfapaulic]

I picked up some u-joints from the local auto zone. The cups fit loosely in the yoke,fell in and out. I took them back and got joints from the local alfa dealer. These had the springs inside and were exact fitting and perform great.

[GreenSpider]

DWC.....I also bought u-joints from Advance here in NC and they (cups) measured .938 which is too loose. The correct size is .945. I had to bring them back to Advance and ordered the correct ones from IAP. By the way, Auto Zone also has the wrong ones (.938) Another small auto parts chain store called Bumper to Bumper can get the right size, but they want $26 each for them. I installed both u-joints from IAP with no problem and it solved my rumble/vibration upon take off.

[alfaboy85]

damn i'm worried now because I've bought all my parts from IAP which includes among many things a sachs clutch kit and motor mounts. Oh yeah speaking of which the passenger side mount wasn't completely square like the driver side, its like a corner of the square is missing. Is this because the mount is used in other models or did IAP mess this one up?

[nickster60]

Just my humble opinion. I like Centerline they seem to know there stuff and dont have Northeast attitude. I live in Florida I am happy too wait for my parts. They always get it right.