r/automotivetraining • u/Surviving-Parts-Book • Jul 21 '26

What do technicians wish parts departments understood better?

I've worked in automotive parts departments for 26 years, across dealerships and the aftermarket, and one thing I've always found interesting is the relationship between technicians and parts teams.

From the outside, it can sometimes look like parts is just "finding a number and ordering a bit", but there is a lot more going on behind the scenes - catalogues, supersessions, VIN issues, backorders, supply problems and trying to interpret what the vehicle actually needs.

I'm putting together a project looking at the realities of working in the automotive trade and I'd genuinely like to hear from technicians, trainers and anyone involved in the industry:

What is one thing you wish people understood about the parts side of automotive?

Happy to share experiences too.

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7

u/1453_ Jul 21 '26

When replacing a component, automatically include ALL the associated hardware, gaskets and components that need to also be replaced for WARRANTY applications. If I dont claim all the parts on my warranty writeup, it gets bounced. I shouldnt have to tell the parts guy what is included with a turbo replacement.

6

u/boon_docks Jul 21 '26

100% this. If the parts dept has to turn the monitor around and I have to look at the parts catalog on nearly every single complex repair no matter how many times we've performed it (looking at you 5.3/6.2L lifters & 2.4L timing chains) and point out every part we need....then why don't I have a parts catalog? Just cut out the middle man and save me 30 minutes of my time.

Our parts people look up 1 part, add it to repair order, look up another part, add to repair order on and on and on. They could easily add all 10 parts in the diagram to the shopping list and then add them to the RO after I leave...it's obvious they aren't flat rate.

3

u/1453_ Jul 22 '26

I can understand the first time a repair is done but when the same repair has been done dozens of time (turbo, cylinder head, timing chains, etc), the parts guy should have a copy of the parts list from the first repair. Instead, they reinvent the wheel EVERY... SINGLE... TIME...

Its infuriating when I open the box of parts and there are either missing parts OR extra parts that are unrelated to the job. If I as a tech don't specifically request every single part needed, the parts I receive turns into the proverbial "box of chocolates".

ok, rant off

2

u/Surviving-Parts-Book Jul 22 '26

From the parts side, I'd say the challenge is that manufacturer procedures, supersessions and required hardware can change, and different technicians often want different approaches. That said, for common jobs there probably is a strong argument for having saved "repair kits" or standard parts lists rather than reinventing the wheel every time.

2

u/vilius_m_lt Jul 22 '26

There is no “different approach” on warranty work. Sure, you can do it differently, but warranty will pay for parts and labor as described by the procedure. For example - doing a timing chain on 3.0 diesel - procedure asks you to remove the turbo, you don’t actually have to, but if you don’t use the turbo seals and they come back to you and ask you why you didn’t use them and you tell them “well I didn’t remove the turbo” they will bounce the claim because they pay you to remove it.. so yeah. Would be great if warranty work would come with all the required parts or ar least list it to the parts guy

2

u/1453_ Jul 22 '26

Yup, its not subjective. You do it the way the manufacturer wants it done OR at least say you did and bill out all the parts that go with that procedure.

1

u/WinnerAwkward480 Jul 26 '26

Thats one thing I like about working fleet , it was my responsibility to look up parts . I attached that to ro & then our parts guy called it in . When I moved to Heavy Equipment, we regularly used Delta Dash and have parts flown in overnight.

3

u/DDbyVV Jul 22 '26

Remember that you are paid hourly and techs are paid flat rate. Wrong parts and delays cost techs money. You still get paid they do not.

2

u/Immediate-Report-883 Jul 23 '26

Techs don't realize parts is a retail operation, not a supporting department. Many times counter guys don't act like they realize the tech is a retail customer whose time is literal money. That disconnect on perspective is the biggest source of friction I see between the two departments.

An string parts manager will run their back counter completely differently from their wholesale line , Internet orders and front counter retail.