I went to my first self-service junkyard today.

[Torn Mind]

Mainly to find a replacement bolt and the alternator adjust assembly since I broke one due to rust completely seizing in the adjuster for the crappy used 1996 Camry V6 I have. I grabbed 2 adjuster bolts and two 12 mm alternator bolts the were less rusty, along with a fan belt. I grabbed one adjust for the '96 and took along one from a 2000+ model just because.

All for $5.35 for the parts, plus a $2 entrance fee.

These flex head ratcheting double box end wrenches by Mountain came in handy, although I did have to pay a pretty penny from Tooltopia to get them. One of the Camrys had front end damage and these wrenches came through, barely.

I saw other guys with wheelbarrows and the like.

It was muddy and puddly all of the place due to the rain and snow in the DC area.

I think I was the only Chinese dude there, and I'm a scrawny 6ft, 120 lbs.

And one dude decided to take a piss in the yard.

So yeah, lessons learned:

Prepare the tools you will need, and some extra in case something else catches your fancy.

Wear clothing you don't care about.

Make sure you have something to carry all the stuff you are going to take.

Bring cash for the entrance fee.

Be sure to check if the part you are looking for is shared by future or previous gen cars of the model. Because some things are indeed shared and pick out the best. The bolts I snatched were from later model Camrys.

 

[qr25nismo]

when I was a kid, my dad took me to self service junk yard every once in a while, I loved going there, might just go there pretty soon to get ignition coils for my 2006 Altima.

 

[Slacker]

Don't forget to keep your eyes open for freebies, free tools, jackets, cash just lying around.

 

[Midwayman]

Don't forget to keep your eyes open for freebies, free tools, jackets, cash just lying around.

You're probably supposed to call the cops if you find a body in a trunk.

 

[mindless1]

There's a junkyard near me, used to not be self service. I went there with a toolbox and started walking out into the yard and the minions freaked out like WHAT IS HE DOING OMGBBQ! They feared for their job security I suppose. A couple years later the place went self serve.

A few more items to bring: Beverage, gloves, and bandages in case you bang up your arm or hand. Some would go further with safety glasses, paper towels, more water and goop hand cleaner, and a tarp or blanket to cover your vehicle seat so you don't get it filthy on the drive home. It if has rained recently, even in the last week as some yards have ruts with mud puddles, bring an extra pair of shoes too, and the mosquitoes can be bad.

Perhaps slacker was kidding but I would leave freebies alone, unless you're pretty sure it was abandoned by the prior vehicle owner. If it happens to belong to someone else still on site, they might end up accusing you of stealing... guess it depends on the situation.

 

[GagHalfrunt]

You're probably supposed to call the cops if you find a body in a trunk.

I'd want people to ignore the bodies I have stuffed in car trunks and I'll extend them the same courtesy. No good can come from getting the police involved.


The last time I went to a self-service junkyard was to find an alternator for a Datsun 280-Z It was alternator sized.

 

[Nessism]

When performing a restoration and needing parts I used to go every week. I'l leave the tools in the car and make a scouting trip walk through. If I found something I needed I'd go back to the car and and put on my jumpsuit and grab the bucket of tools. Ah, the good ol days.

 

[Slacker]

I went to one years ago that was having an "all you can carry" for $20.00.

a friend and i dismantled most of a 70 nova, stacked it all on top of the upside down hood and carried it out, basically a whole front clip and full interior, they were OK with that but when we wanted to go back for a tarp we forgot they wouldn't let us, some other guy brought it out for us.

 

[Torn Mind]

8 months later and finally my thread gets recognition. *sheds tear*
lol
But yes, I found a pair of big standard pliers in a Subaru.

And junkyards are a gold mine for OEM connectors for alternators and the like.

 

[HitAnyKey]

You're probably supposed to call the cops if you find a body in a trunk.

OP: Your missing another rule to your list: NEVER OPEN THE TRUNK