[misterp266]

No longer producing brake parts……..filed chapter 11.

[67Lemons]

This has been a major story in the industry for months, such a shame to loose those brands but hopefully they will be spun off to other companies. A lot of large scale distributors have been scrambling for suppliers, unfortunately expect some empty shelves out there when looking for brake rotors at a minimum.

[ta6point6]

Yeah it is going to be a problem sourcing good quality car parts. Now the cost of gas is shooting up, talk about a blow to the vintage car market. I feel like there are already people starting to sell off their classics. It is going to be an interesting summer

[RocktimusPryme]

Probably good news for Wilwood or anyone who produces something marketed as a "top shelf" kit for classic cars.

[LStathas]

Yet another big company gutted and sold for scrap! It's so gross!

[Half-Inch Stud]

Got to figure a Judge will order the products like Raybestos to be left intact abd independent of the robber-barrons

[mgarblik]

The First Brands debacle will have far reaching effects. Most notable already has been a drastic price increase on all replacement auto parts. In the last 4 months, and I buy replacement parts every day, I have seen across the board price increases of 20% or more from walk in stores and 10-15% from huge internet suppliers like Rock Auto. Example just today: 3 months ago I purchased a blend door actuator for a GM truck HVAC. $29.31. Today, same part $47.80.

[67Lemons]

Originally Posted by Half-Inch Stud

Got to figure a Judge will order the products like Raybestos to be left intact abd independent of the robber-barrons

Nope, the public at large has zero awareness of brand culture and quality in the industry, it’s just another commodity and it will be treated as such, they’ll allow 1st Brands to cut, dice and eliminate whatever as necessary to pay their investors back as the dollar is what matters.

I was just reading an article in one of the trade newsletters yesterday that the factories are starting to close and layoffs are happening, just another sign of the times.

[mgarblik]

Yep. I think I have mentioned there is, (was), a large Fram manufacturing facility 15 miles from where I live. 2 days ago they just closed the plant without warning. 1200 people out of work. That's 10% of the population of Greenville, OH where the plant is located. In the last few years they had expended the facility and it was modern and efficient. This is just the tip of the iceberg.

[Scarebird]

Events such as this make me glad I retired in 2023. Raybestos and Centric were always good stuff.

[Nobuddy]

I thought Raybestos was already a zombie brand? So the name probably will live on with some else distributing the same offshore parts.

[dataway]

A little off topic but .... how hard is it to replace that blend door actuator? I've got a 2011 GMC truck and it still works, but it's getting pretty sticky.

Originally Posted by mgarblik

The First Brands debacle will have far reaching effects. Most notable already has been a drastic price increase on all replacement auto parts. In the last 4 months, and I buy replacement parts every day, I have seen across the board price increases of 20% or more from walk in stores and 10-15% from huge internet suppliers like Rock Auto. Example just today: 3 months ago I purchased a blend door actuator for a GM truck HVAC. $29.31. Today, same part $47.80.

[OG68]

Trucks usually have a lot more room under the dash to access the actuator. Three small screws is all that holds it in place.
My 06 Cadillac on the other hand required removal of the dash to get to just one of those mounting screws. The heater hot water pipe was blocking access to it. I didn't want to pay $1500 to replace a $40 part so I jury rigged it for Spring and Fall manual operation

[mgarblik]

Originally Posted by dataway

A little off topic but .... how hard is it to replace that blend door actuator? I've got a 2011 GMC truck and it still works, but it's getting pretty sticky.

It's right next to the transmission hump on the bottom right of the box. 2 screws and 1 locating pin. Pretty easy without a central console. If you have a console, one screw that holds a long plastic cover over all that stuff is a bitch to get to. That long cover is held up by 3 screws total. The actuator screws are 5.5 MM heads, so you need that tiny socket 1/4" drive. A thumb ratchet is helpful too.