Frustrating...

waterloo88chev · 01-05-2009, 10:38 PM

Isn't it frustrating not having the part you need to finish the job? I'm replacing my tie rod ends and the jam nut on the driver's side is shot, so I need a new one. Nothing at any auto parts stores, even special order ones (local anyway), so I have to go to the dealer. The dealer can get it, but not till Friday. So now I'm stuck without a vehicle until this upcoming weekend, a real pain in the arss.

gmctrucks · 01-05-2009, 11:20 PM

Call around some other GMC or Chevrolet dealerships you might get lucky.

75K30 · 01-05-2009, 11:39 PM

I replace jam nuts everytime I perform this type of task. You know that you are not limited to just a chevy dealer for this type of fastener right?
Couple of things you can do.

Visit your local ford, or even dodge dealership. These are common to all manufacturers, and you might get lucky.

Head over to your local alignment shop. Chances are that if they do not have several sitting in a bin, that they would have replaced a similar TRE and it will still have the lock nut.

Hit the off road places, and see what they are using. I use chevy 1 ton style 2026 and 2027 TRE's on everything I run, and these come with lock nuts. So this means that you may try to find a complete TRE with a lock nut, and buy it. Once you can get a replacement lock nut, you can return the TRE complete. This will minimize down time.

Take a run out to your local salvage yard. The yard is full of these, and even though it will cost a little time, you will be back on the road in a flash.

You could try here and have them red label one or more to your door:
Jam Nuts

Local specialty nut and bolt store will have these.

Some specialty industrial hardware type stores (Grainger) will also have these.

I could probably offer several more alternatives, but I believe that you get the idea.
Good luck.

waterloo88chev · 01-07-2009, 10:15 PM

Thanks for all the places to look. I'm only a day away from getting it now, so I'll just wait it out. I'll definitely keep those options in mind for future reference (hopefully I won't be needing to replace them any time soon though). I'm just ready to get it done... only problem is, since my truck has been sitting on jack stands in the garage, a rather nice sized puddle of coolant has shown up on the floor.......... great.....

gmctrucks · 01-08-2009, 01:11 AM

I remember my boss that I had once was throwing 1/4" lock nuts in the trash bin I told him why are you tossing them because they sold me nuts that are oval. Hey and im for real I had to explain to him why they were like that.

waterloo88chev · 01-11-2009, 10:32 PM

Well I finally got my part... sort of. The nut came in at my local dealer, but it was the wrong thing. So I have them look it up again, it turns out that GM discontinued the one I needed, and no one in their network could still get it. So I planned on just looking up salvage yards or local Off-Road stores in the area the next day... but I found that Advance Auto Parts (I had only looked at Autozone and O'Reilys) had the complete set, that is, a tie rod end with the nut I needed. So I bought it and returned the old and I'm all good to go now, she's getting aligned tomorrow.

Oh and by the way... the puddle of coolant on the floor was a bad water pump. That was real fun to replace... Oh well, at least it's good and going now... for now...

gmctrucks · 01-12-2009, 02:32 AM

Did you know that NAPA stores carry a ton of old parts and when they look for your part on the computer it might be coming from way across the USA but it will be the right part or will help you from going to junk yards.

01-05-2009, 10:38 PM	#1
waterloo88chev Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Illinois Posts: 177	Frustrating... Isn't it frustrating not having the part you need to finish the job? I'm replacing my tie rod ends and the jam nut on the driver's side is shot, so I need a new one. Nothing at any auto parts stores, even special order ones (local anyway), so I have to go to the dealer. The dealer can get it, but not till Friday. So now I'm stuck without a vehicle until this upcoming weekend, a real pain in the arss. __________________

01-07-2009, 10:15 PM	#4
waterloo88chev Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Illinois Posts: 177	Thanks for all the places to look. I'm only a day away from getting it now, so I'll just wait it out. I'll definitely keep those options in mind for future reference (hopefully I won't be needing to replace them any time soon though). I'm just ready to get it done... only problem is, since my truck has been sitting on jack stands in the garage, a rather nice sized puddle of coolant has shown up on the floor.......... great..... __________________

01-11-2009, 10:32 PM	#6
waterloo88chev Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Illinois Posts: 177	Well I finally got my part... sort of. The nut came in at my local dealer, but it was the wrong thing. So I have them look it up again, it turns out that GM discontinued the one I needed, and no one in their network could still get it. So I planned on just looking up salvage yards or local Off-Road stores in the area the next day... but I found that Advance Auto Parts (I had only looked at Autozone and O'Reilys) had the complete set, that is, a tie rod end with the nut I needed. So I bought it and returned the old and I'm all good to go now, she's getting aligned tomorrow. Oh and by the way... the puddle of coolant on the floor was a bad water pump. That was real fun to replace... Oh well, at least it's good and going now... for now... __________________ Last edited by waterloo88chev; 01-12-2009 at 06:20 AM.

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01-05-2009, 11:20 PM	#2
gmctrucks Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Houston,Texas Posts: 4,033	Call around some other GMC or Chevrolet dealerships you might get lucky.

01-05-2009, 11:39 PM	#3
75K30 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 2,992	I replace jam nuts everytime I perform this type of task. You know that you are not limited to just a chevy dealer for this type of fastener right? Couple of things you can do. Visit your local ford, or even dodge dealership. These are common to all manufacturers, and you might get lucky. Head over to your local alignment shop. Chances are that if they do not have several sitting in a bin, that they would have replaced a similar TRE and it will still have the lock nut. Hit the off road places, and see what they are using. I use chevy 1 ton style 2026 and 2027 TRE's on everything I run, and these come with lock nuts. So this means that you may try to find a complete TRE with a lock nut, and buy it. Once you can get a replacement lock nut, you can return the TRE complete. This will minimize down time. Take a run out to your local salvage yard. The yard is full of these, and even though it will cost a little time, you will be back on the road in a flash. You could try here and have them red label one or more to your door: Jam Nuts Local specialty nut and bolt store will have these. Some specialty industrial hardware type stores (Grainger) will also have these. I could probably offer several more alternatives, but I believe that you get the idea. Good luck.

01-08-2009, 01:11 AM	#5
gmctrucks Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Houston,Texas Posts: 4,033	I remember my boss that I had once was throwing 1/4" lock nuts in the trash bin I told him why are you tossing them because they sold me nuts that are oval. Hey and im for real I had to explain to him why they were like that.

01-12-2009, 02:32 AM	#7
gmctrucks Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Houston,Texas Posts: 4,033	Did you know that NAPA stores carry a ton of old parts and when they look for your part on the computer it might be coming from way across the USA but it will be the right part or will help you from going to junk yards.