Hey Ryan, I was just yanking your chain and all in good fun. It's something I've always done in online forums (web, Usenet, discussion lists, etc.) when someone chimes in with his opinion that the regulars are not quite smart enough to intelligently discuss the subject at hand, and I mean no harm by it. It's just a fun roundabout way of saying that maybe that person ought to reconsider the wisdom of his choice to insultingly question the intelligence of others.

I'll venture a guess that you know quite a lot about things mechanical, and (very sincerely) I hope I can learn something from you.

 

I bet you're the kind of guy who kicks some poor hapless child's puppy and then snickers about having done so.

Sicko!

 

No, absolutely not. I'm exactly the opposite of that. I'm the sort who sticks up for the whole lot here when some guy comes along calling all of you too stupid to be allowed wrenches.

 

I probably shouldn't be allowed a wrench.

 

On the original topic though, I intend to replace my alternator despite that it works just fine. I want to replace it because it has begun to whine which may be an indication of a failure in the near future. I would much rather replace a currently funcioning part than have it fail me in an upcoming road trip.

 

if i had to guess the guys that are replacing non broken parts are the same guys that hate to walk along a long and lonely highway lol

 

Wait, are you trying to tell me that is NOT part of the experience???????? I seem to have done that a fair bit... (thank YOU auto zone......) even with NEW parts. (especially with new parts.....)

 

I'm one of those myself. While I currently live in a big city, I've spent most of my adult life living in more remote regions where it's 40 miles between towns. If you break down the first local to happen along will offer you a ride, but if you're on the wrong road it might be day after tomorrow before he comes along, and even on the right road if it's late at night you might be there until around sunrise.

We're moving away from this big stinky noisy angry city next month, and when we do there'll be lots and lots of spare parts in my toolbox; starter, alternator, water pump, serpentine belt, a few spark plugs and wires, distributor cap, rotor, miscellaneous sensors... pretty much anything that can be changed on the side of the road. I've been carrying spares like that for years and they've saved me from hoofing it quite a few times.

Living in a town like this one I don't worry about it, but out in more civilized parts it's best to be as self-sufficient as possible -- the part you don't need today might help out a neighbor who'll remember you later when it's your butt in a sling.

 

lol i would prob thank o'reillys...they have left me on the side more then anyone.....now if at all possible napa is my go to part store

 

O'Reillys? Really? They're decent around here.

Autozone has been the worst one for me, although I don't do enough traveling to be left on the side of the road by anyone (yet).