70rag428
09-28-2008, 06:06 PM
Has anyone else had this problem? I bought the 68-72 GTO convertible visor supports from Ames, and the shaft with the spring is too long. So when you tighten down the screws, the visor support shaft makes contact with the top of the windshield frame. The result is the support will not move at all....it's locked in place. I had to put spacers between the visor support and the windshield frame. The supports now move freely, but the visors hang lower because of the spacers.
I contacted Ames and talked to a tech guy about the problem. He asked me if there was a part number on the bag the supports came in. I told him there was no part number, just a sticker "Made in Taiwan". The part was correct for my application, but the part is clearly manufactured wrong and I wanted to make sure Ames was aware of this. The guy on the phone seemed to not be too concerened about the problem. He said since there was no previous complaints, he doubts there is something wrong with the supports.
It's also worth noting that Original Parts Group sells repro supports at about half the price Ames charges for theirs. I told the guy about that and he said the Ames repro supports are better quality than OPG's. He said the chrome finish on the Ames product is superior to OPG's. I informed him that both products had a satin finish...no chrome.
I also bought a 68-69 console lid from Ames. It's a worthless chunk of rubber that doesn't fit the contour of the console. I always felt that Ames was one of the more reputable Pontiac part sellers. In their catalog, they have remarks about the quality of the part. Usually they will indicate whether the part is excellent or good. I've learned that some of the parts they consider good, are worthless made in China junk.
I've attached a picture of the visor supports. The one on the left is the original, the one on the right is the rerpo that Ames is selling. The little difference in the shaft length is what causes the problem.....Upload of attachment failed. I'll try later.
I contacted Ames and talked to a tech guy about the problem. He asked me if there was a part number on the bag the supports came in. I told him there was no part number, just a sticker "Made in Taiwan". The part was correct for my application, but the part is clearly manufactured wrong and I wanted to make sure Ames was aware of this. The guy on the phone seemed to not be too concerened about the problem. He said since there was no previous complaints, he doubts there is something wrong with the supports.
It's also worth noting that Original Parts Group sells repro supports at about half the price Ames charges for theirs. I told the guy about that and he said the Ames repro supports are better quality than OPG's. He said the chrome finish on the Ames product is superior to OPG's. I informed him that both products had a satin finish...no chrome.
I also bought a 68-69 console lid from Ames. It's a worthless chunk of rubber that doesn't fit the contour of the console. I always felt that Ames was one of the more reputable Pontiac part sellers. In their catalog, they have remarks about the quality of the part. Usually they will indicate whether the part is excellent or good. I've learned that some of the parts they consider good, are worthless made in China junk.
I've attached a picture of the visor supports. The one on the left is the original, the one on the right is the rerpo that Ames is selling. The little difference in the shaft length is what causes the problem.....Upload of attachment failed. I'll try later.