by Jeg Stone

Created on: September 29, 2009   Last Updated: October 02, 2009

Yes . . . But only if you know exactly what you are looking for. Most people who say, NO usually say that because they don't know that it's really not that hard to find good parts, or they, or someone that they know, have had a bad experience with parts they have gotten from a junkyard before. We need to realize, that for some parts, it is better to buy them new and on other parts you can pull them but you need to pay attention to details about the vehicle you are pulling them from. What makes a junkyard part so much better then a brand new part from an auto parts store?

In the interest of helping to see the benefits of using a junkyard for good cheap parts, we will look at how to find good parts and how it is worth the extra work, over buying new parts in some instances. Pulling parts of a junkyard car might not save you time, but it can save you lots of money and even make you some, if you know what to look for.

So how do you know when it is ok to pull a part? We first need to remember that there are two kinds of parts you go to a junk yard for. Theses are moving and non-moving parts. A moving part is a wheel bearing, water pump, alternator and etc. These are called moving parts because anytime the vehicle is running or moving the part is moving. For example, a water pump is almost constantly pumping fluid through the block and radiator, which means it is constantly receiving wear on the moving parts. This is not always the best kind of part to pull but that doesn't mean you can't. The second type is a non moving part, usually these are body parts or interior parts that you need, like a center console or maybe a new door. These receive wear solely from use by the owner and elements and are the safest and the ones that usually save you the most money over buying a new one in a auto parts store. We will look at the pros and cons of pulling parts, as well as tips to help you have a good part pulling experience.

Pros and Cons

Let's say you need a alternator and water pump out of a 1980's Comaro. Luckily for you Chevy parts are among the easiest to find, so upon going to your junkyard of choice you immediately find 3 different but compatible Comaros. Lets say you live in a northern state and car one is missing a hood, car two has everything in place but the hood is jammed down because of decent side impact collision on the front clip and car three has apparently been run into the ground and looks like a poster child for a Rustoleum commercial. Some might think,

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