Topic: New GXP/Z0K sway bar part number

[lil goat]

I am with Bob on the Eibach, I asked SSS to check on an Eibach for the GXP, haven't heard back yet. They are all out on the West Coast, they have races 2 weeks apart, very unusual the have to transport and prep 6 cars. They are a bit busy. I have requested they have some new stuff ready for the Mod Meet, not sure what will happen. Right now SOB is our best source for updates, that's why I ordered mine the day I got the part number from SOB. Kinda figured with everything going on with GM, this would evaporate. Especially after they dropped the price by 2/3's.

[kennysabarese]

This seems so backwards! I bought my GMPP tune kit because I thought GM would stop making those, but there seems to be plenty of them. Sensors, computer tuning, no problem! A hunk of metal. Big backorder!

sheesh

[snaponbob]

This seems so backwards! I bought my GMPP tune kit because I thought GM would stop making those, but there seems to be plenty of them. Sensors, computer tuning, no problem! A hunk of metal. Big backorder!

sheesh

When GM filed bankruptcy, a bunch of vendors/suppliers did the same. Some folded. There is a Federal requirement to provide replacement parts for vehicles sold in the US for (I think) 10-11 years. My guess is that these bars will appear again as they are part of a factory RPO option.

[Sol Asylum]

Any way to find out who made the bars for GM?  Maybe they would like to cut their non paying customer out of the equation and sell directly to us consumers with cash.

[snaponbob]

Any way to find out who made the bars for GM?  Maybe they would like to cut their non paying customer out of the equation and sell directly to us consumers with cash.

So far, no luck on that. Still waiting for responses to PMs at the BB. Even if we found out who the supplier is, it is reasonable to believe that if the are still solvent there are contracts in place that prohibit direct sales. Also, if GM has not ordered any (which could be true) then none are being produced !!!! Supply/demand. No orders = no demand = no supply !!!!!!!!  

I one is not concerned with any Stock class legality issues there is always the option of finding a bar maker, sending them your rear bar, and have them build what you want. If you find that builder, it sure won't be $115 like the factory bar !!!!!!

There is also the option of buying some 25 or 26 mm ID tubing (depending on your current rear bar), cutting a piece and "ripping" it down the center, and welding a section to the middle portion of the bar. It's REAL shade tree, TOTAL guess work, and CHEAP !!!!!!!!!! Oh yeah, it's truly "old school".

Just trying to help   ----------- hell, I've got mine !!!!  

Talk about a d-bag, huh?

[MomsSol]

So far, no luck on that. Still waiting for responses to PMs at the BB. Even if we found out who the supplier is, it is reasonable to believe that if the are still solvent there are contracts in place that prohibit direct sales. Also, if GM has not ordered any (which could be true) then none are being produced !!!! Supply/demand. No orders = no demand = no supply !!!!!!!!  

I one is not concerned with any Stock class legality issues there is always the option of finding a bar maker, sending them your rear bar, and have them build what you want. If you find that builder, it sure won't be $115 like the factory bar !!!!!!

There is also the option of buying some 25 or 26 mm ID tubing (depending on your current rear bar), cutting a piece and "ripping" it down the center, and welding a section to the middle portion of the bar. It's REAL shade tree, TOTAL guess work, and CHEAP !!!!!!!!!! Oh yeah, it's truly "old school".

Just trying to help   ----------- hell, I've got mine !!!!  

Talk about a d-bag, huh?

The question has gone out but an answer may take a few days to come back .. remember, these contacts don't work on Sat/Sun ... if no info is relayed on Mon/Tues then another form of communication will be applied.

Doing my best SB to find the answer.. doing my best.

[lil goat]

When GM filed bankruptcy, a bunch of vendors/suppliers did the same. Some folded. There is a Federal requirement to provide replacement parts for vehicles sold in the US for (I think) 10-11 years. My guess is that these bars will appear again as they are part of a factory RPO option.

There MAY be a requirement to continue making these, not sure. It did come from the factory on a very few GXP's. I think this is considered a performance part and may not be covered under the Federal law. They have to keep making the stock ones, so the NA folks are good.

[Sol Asylum]

If the OEM part is proprietary then the manufacturer won't be able to sell them directly.  However they can modify the design slightly by a few thousands of an inch here or there and then the part is not the same as supplied to GM.  The question is will they be willing to do so?

[snaponbob]

There MAY be a requirement to continue making these, not sure. It did come from the factory on a very few GXP's. I think this is considered a performance part and may not be covered under the Federal law. They have to keep making the stock ones, so the NA folks are good.

As a factory installed part it would seem to be covered, just as all the Z06 stuff is. As an RPO item, it isn't an aftermarket or GMPP part.

[snaponbob]

If the OEM part is proprietary then the manufacturer won't be able to sell them directly.  However they can modify the design slightly by a few thousands of an inch here or there and then the part is not the same as supplied to GM.  The question is will they be willing to do so?

Why would they? It requires setting up all the equipment to bend up a couple pieces for a few end users. What would THEIR motivation be? OEM suppliers are set up for long runs of specific items, not one offs.

[LatinVenom]

GM does have orders from customers like myself and I am sure others here on this forum and on the BB.
Also none forum members may also have orders to GM.
So the way I see it the new GM is ignoring his customers.
This flies in the face of their new advertising and letters to it's customers about the NEW GM and how they value you as a customer.

[kennysabarese]

I totally agree, BUT, unfortunately, the New GM doesn't include Saturn and Pontiac

Maybe the old GM, Motors Liquidation Company is in charge of this stuff.

http://www.motorsliquidation.com/

[Sol Asylum]

Why would they? It requires setting up all the equipment to bend up a couple pieces for a few end users. What would THEIR motivation be? OEM suppliers are set up for long runs of specific items, not one offs.

Depending on where they make the slight changes at it may have no additional set up changes.  For example at the ends of the bar it flattens out where the end links bolt to it, if they made the flat a few thousands thicker it wouldn't be the same as the one they do for GM, no new set up they just don't mill it as much, and it would still bolt right up no big deal.  In some cases they may already have some bars that were out of tolerance so they couldn't sell them to GM but they would still work fine, so basically we would be buying their scrap.

Their incentive to do it is they already have the tooling to do it for GM but they no longer have a customer, ie GM isn't buying them.  Really it just depends on the supplier and who you talk to at the supplier.

For my job I have located some hard to find parts for flight simulators that I have been designing in this exact manor.  Sometimes you strike out but you never know until you ask.

[snaponbob]

It really is tempting to see everything from only our levels. This is similar to the conversations that have occurred when the LNF GMPP tune package has occasionally gone on backorder. We have NO idea WHO the supplier is, if they are open for business or not, whether or not there is a standing order for rear bars, if a minimum number for a run of items is in place, etc. Bean counters determine what minimum levels are to turn a profit on a run of product. The "new" GM is still essentially intact and has legal obligations to uphold, and it is still supporting all the brands whose sales have not been finalized. If I was still waiting for a rear bar I would be JUST as concerned and frustrated. But it is naive to think that a thousand dollars (at net) worth of a historically low "turn" item is really all that critical for GM right now. A lot of these sorts of things are ordered quarterly and they have been on b/o for a month or so.

I know the above hypothetical scenarios are somewhat valid. While with Snap-On I was curious about how the company worked on the inside and learned a lot about the production end/supply chain issues while in management and also as a member of an elected dealer advisory committee. Example - 10 train car loads of tool steel specific to Snap-On's specs for screwdriver blades was NOT correct. The steel supplier had to replace it as it was worthless to S.O. TWO MONTHS. Guess what got REAL hard to get for a while. Sh!t happens.     

[Sol Asylum]

Funny you should mention snap on screw drivers I have two #2 philips that I managed to twist part of the tip off of, and no dealer comes around where I work any more.  Any ideas/recommendations on how I can get some replacements?

As for the bars and their makers I understand entirely what you mean about our ignorance of the matter.  That's why I asked if anyone knew who the supplier was, a call to them might help us see the whole picture or maybe just a little bit more of it at least.

[snaponbob]

Funny you should mention snap on screw drivers I have two #2 philips that I managed to twist part of the tip off of, and no dealer comes around where I work any more.  Any ideas/recommendations on how I can get some replacements?

As for the bars and their makers I understand entirely what you mean about our ignorance of the matter.  That's why I asked if anyone knew who the supplier was, a call to them might help us see the whole picture or maybe just a little bit more of it at least.

Call S.O. national Svc Ctr @ (815) 479-7216. Stop using them as punches !!!!!!!!!!!

I have been trying to find the vendor. Even if we found that info, it is doubtful a) they would not share what is going on, and b) would not do anything creative to resolve our personal problems.  MomsSol has sent an e-mail to here "friends" in GM to see what is happening.

[kennysabarese]

has anyone talked to "small dealer"? from the sol forum?

[snaponbob]

has anyone talked to "small dealer"? from the sol forum?

He received the same PM that momsol did.

[Sol Asylum]

Call S.O. national Svc Ctr @ (815) 479-7216. Stop using them as punches !!!!!!!!!!!

Believe it or not I actually own punches and pry bars so my screwdrivers are only use for their intended purposes, rounding out the heads of rusted screws.  However structural screws (and their rust) on aircraft must be stronger then the tips of Snap on, Mac, Craftsmen, etc screwdrivers.

I once had a Mac dealer dispute that I could shear the tip of one of their tools on a screw like I had told him I did.  I had him take one of his off the truck and then demonstrated how easy it was on a plane that I was working on, so much for his theory of abuse.

[Chemist]

...
I once had a Mac dealer dispute that I could shear the tip of one of their tools on a screw like I had told him I did.  I had him take one of his off the truck and then demonstrated how easy it was on a plane that I was working on, so much for his theory of abuse.

Nothing like direct experimental evidence to silence the nay-sayers and doubters.

[LatinVenom]

It is all about marketing, and certainly the new or old GM can address the issue.
The worst thing a company can do is keep it's customers in the dark, a little bit of information can go a long way.
I am willing to wait as would probably other people, but do not keep me in the dark by not addressing the issue, be it positive or negative news.

[snaponbob]

It is all about marketing, and certainly the new or old GM can address the issue.
The worst thing a company can do is keep it's customers in the dark, a little bit of information can go a long way.
I am willing to wait as would probably other people, but do not keep me in the dark by not addressing the issue, be it positive or negative news.

Well, here ya go !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  http://www.gm.com/utilities/contact_us/contact.jsp?deep=contact  Of course, GM is a minority share holder in their own company, so contacting the Federal Government and the UAW might help as well. Good luck !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[kennysabarese]

Well the president still hasn't "weatherized" my house like he promised, so I dunno if he'll come through on swaybars

[kennysabarese]

Kitty knows good parts.

I got my bars and bushings FINALLY!

[snaponbob]

Kitty knows good parts.

I got my bars and bushings FINALLY!

(Image removed from quote.)

They'll work better under the CAR.