How to Find Parts in a Junk Yard

Junkyards are a great place to find parts for your car or truck. Although it's a graveyard of sorts for totaled out vehicles, there are still a lot of great parts to be salvaged and installed on your car for a fraction of the price of a new part. Finding the right part can be tough, but if you're smart about it, you can quickly find what you need.

Things You'll Need

• Small tool box or bag
• Flashlight
• Flathead screwdriver
• Open-end wrench set
• Phillips-head screwdriver
• Wire cutters
• Crescent wrench
• 3/8-inch ratchet and socket set
• Pad and pencil

Instructions

1. Open up your tool box or bag and put in all of the tools. Make sure to include the pad and pencil. You will need all the tools, because even getting your part only takes a ratchet to remove, there might be something in the way that will require other tools. It's always best to be prepared in a junkyard.

2. Call around town, look online and check the phone book for local junkyards in your area. Some specialize in certain types of cars or trucks, so if you have an old Jaguar, there could be a Jaguar junkyard nearby, or maybe a British car recycler. Whatever you're looking for, there's probably a wrecking yard for those types of cars. When you call, make sure they let you wander the lot looking for parts. Many junk yards will not allow roaming because of insurance or state guidelines.

3. Drive to the junkyard with your tools, and, if necessary, pay a fee to enter the lot. This can be anywhere from $1-$10, depending on where you live. Enter the lot and take a look around to see what you can find. Walk the aisles, scanning from side to side to see if they have what you need. In most cases, it's obvious that the car has been picked through and won't have your part. If you find a relatively complete car--or it has the parts on it that you need--remove the part.

4. Unbolt, unscrew or cut off the parts you need. Once you have the part or parts, take the pencil and pad and write down any numbers that are on the windshield of the body of the vehicle. Most junkyards have stock numbers for their inventory, and operators will ask for the number when you checkout.

5. Take the part to the front counter and ask for the price. Some yard operators are willing to haggle over pricing, so don't be afraid to ask if you're not sure.

Tips & Warnings

• Because a junkyard is a large open space with lots of junk, there can be a lot of critters roaming around. Don't stick your hands into any dark holes on a car in a junkyard. There may be something living inside. Use your flashlight before reaching into an odd spot if you're concerned.