Salvage Yard Tip: Don't Be a Selfish Tool!
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- Опубликовано: 8 фев 2025
- **Sponsored Video**While I was at Pull-A-Part in Atlanta, we decided to make a video about 'salvage yard etiquette'. I had a ton of fun with Erik Tande of Velosity Labs making this video.
Most of this is common sense, but you'd be surprised at how often you see this bad behavior in the salvage yard.
So next time you're at the salvage yard, try and keep these helpful tips in mind.
If you're not familiar with Pull-A-Part, they're a self service salvage company in the US. They have 25 yards in 12 states. I'm not just saying this, but they've become my favorite place to go for salvage parts. I suggest you check them out.
To make it easy, here's a link to their website: www.pullapart.com
The best place for answers to your automotive questions: www.ericthecarg...
Camera: Erik Tande
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Due to factors beyond the control of EricTheCarGuy, it cannot guarantee against unauthorized modifications of this information, or improper use of this information. EricTheCarGuy assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. EricTheCarGuy recommends safe practices when working with power tools, automotive lifts, lifting tools, jack stands, electrical equipment, blunt instruments, chemicals, lubricants, or any other tools or equipment seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of EricTheCarGuy, no information contained in this video shall create any express or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not EricTheCarGuy.
You should've also included this step: Only take parts off the cars that in the salvage yard, not the cars in the parking lot.
Seen that happen to a junkyard owner's yard truck. Someone started taking the wheels off when it was parked out front LOL! They got an ear full from the owner after that.
+Travis Piper I sat and watched a couple guys hook a chain to a tree and to the front of their car to pull the core support out to put another radiator in.
LOL! I bet the car drove a little funny after that.
Yeah, a couple of trips back someone decided it was easier, and cheaper, to take the center / hub cap off my F150 while it was parked in the PAP parling lot. . . rather than going into the yard and getting one.
Imao
*How to get beat up at the salvage yard.
With a steel propshaft
Hahahaha
This should be REQUIRED VIEWING for EVERYONE who sets foot in a salvage yard!!! I have come across ALL of these situations over the years. It's so easy to be considerate of the next person.
Yes they might sometimes even want to fight you. I even heard of cars getting stolen at junk yards
LOL dude this is great. They should make everyone watch this before entering the yard
Indeed. It should be mandatory.
You forgot DON'T STEAL OTHER PEOPLE'S TOOLS!
walks in empty handed....hey buddy you have a pair of pliers....ratchets, metric socket set, screw driver I can borrow?
Here in Los Angeles, CA I saw a guy pull out a Honda Accord cluster like Eric The Car Guy did at my local Junk Yard and yes you do have to aware of your surroundings with tools because they do get stolen if you are distracted.
You could (and should) branch out into comedy videos. That privacy bit was hilarious.
Yea, it's a lot of fun when I don't take myself seriously. Thanks for the comment.
I foresee a side business as a comedy actor - the bathroom bit was LOL-worthy :-)
I laughed, and then thought of all the people I see doing selfish tool things and realise they do exist
"EricTheComedyGuy" Coming Soon???
I can't tell you how many times I've gone to a salvage yard and found cars that have been thrashed for fun. Drives me absolutely crazy....like tire iron to cranium crazy.
You're the man Eric!
My man
I know YOU.
Wow! This is awesome! I haven't laughed that hard in a long time!! My favorites...respect others personal space, avoid damage to clean interiors and use care when removing parts. Sadly, this video is probably needed for many individuals. Thanks for sharing!!!
It' obvious you had a blast making this video! I was cracking up, only because of the truthfulness in it. Back in my military days, we poor soldiers spent many a day in the yard, pulling parts to keep our Junkers on the road. Lots of fun and memories came rolling back from watching this. Thanks! Love the videos!
I see crap like this at the Pick N Pulls around here all the time. Like once I went to get an instrument cluster for my Saturn and had to search multiple cars cause some asshat always got there first and broke half the dash getting out one thing, and naturally the cluster (the part I needed!) was one of the things broken... Excellent video (loved the bathroom bit lmao). This should be played in a loop at Self Service Junk Yards everywhere..
That drunken stumble where you toss the can was so well done lol. I think it's great that despite being extremely skilled and experienced in mechanic work, you can still be yourself and you're not afraid to be positive, happy and funny.
I'm fairly new but I really enjoy your channel, only wish I had found it sooner.
Also, when you're done with the car you're working on, make sure to shut the doors. Seen absolutely great interiors ruined by water
Man! How appropriate. I've seen most of these behaviors at my local PaP. I'm glad someone finally spoke out. Most egregious: I was looking for a windshield. Every car I found of the correct vintage had the molding pulled off, and the glass cracked at the point where some idiot had tried to pry it out with a screwdriver or something. Just on point with cracks radiating out from it. Every one.
Another issue I've seen is that 'pickers' prowl the lot and pull the most desirable, easiest to obtain parts out of certain vehicles as soon as they hit the lot...things like tail lights, side markers--all stuff that goes for megabucks on ebay for cars like old Volvos etc.
Thank you for posting this video. I've seen several parts get ruined because someone was too lazy to unhook a wire and they would destroy a whole in-dash wiring harness. But one of the worst things I see is when people take a cordless reciprocating saw and ruin a whole cab of a truck or a car body by cutting out the core support out to remove a engine. The people who do this should have to pay for the cab or be banned from Pull-A-Part for life.
This is a VERY needed video. Unfortunately, those who really need to see it probably are too busy fixing their 88 Celebrity to view it. It seems that often it is the workers at the salvage yards that absolutely mangle everything around in order to get a transmission or engine out they just give everything around it hell with a sawzall or a torch. Interiors you absolutely see interiors that were probably pretty much mint in terrible shape because some assclown just gave everything a yank with a crowbar in order to get that sweet $25 Walmart radio out.
Also: close the door, and/or the window when you're done (assuming the donor still has one). I go looking for interior parts only to find them waterlogged and molding from exposure, even though the car still had functioning doors/windows.
that's really good advice. many times I've gone to junk yard an the part is broken or missing because someone took another part off an didn't respect the other part connected to it. great video
Pretty much all of these just seem common sense to me. And the illustrations of what not to do are quite funny!
Thanks for throwing in the (DO NOT CUT THE WIRING HARNESS) !!! It is just so simple to unhook it! Thanks for putting that out there man!!
Sadly, everything you mentioned here is exactly what the majority of people do at the salvage yard near where I live.
Great video
I don't know what it is but I love that place. I go for one little thing and spend an hour or two just walking around checking out what's there. It's amazing the stuff I've found to improve what we already have. For example, the spots where the removable seat legs go in our minivan - I found out that certain models with different configurations have little plastic covers for them that fit perfectly. Now the stupid dog doesn't almost break her leg stepping in them every time she's back there going berzerk. Thanks for the entertaining video!
Close all doors/boots/hoods.
This way you do not get water damage.
Totally agree!!!
^THIS^ I had a hard time finding a steering box that wasn't full of water at the local yard
No doubt.
Dude this is the FUNNIEST ETCG VIDEO TO DATE!!!!!!! I love it
wow that first window break to get the locking cap HILARIOUS and so true
Back when I was fixing cars on the side for people, I was at the salvage yard constantly. The stuff you addressed in this video is valid; but I'd like to add one: PAY FOR YOUR FUCKING PARTS! The amount of theft going on there was rampant. People shoving shit into the bottle of their toolbox to hide it, pocketing shit, wearing long sleeves and pants and then taping parts to their legs underneath their clothes etc. Keep your tools close to you at all times, because there are many opportunistic thieves around there. I recommend a giant back pack to carry all your tools in, much better than toting around a big toolbox.
Such a GREAT PSA my man! I found you while doing a G6 Engine replacement...10k Miles after, still goin' strong. Thanks for helping all us Alley mechanics out here.
Hah! You were right on for my comment on last pull-a-part vid. All about manners and respect.
I thought you'd enjoy it.
How "junky" the yard gets also has to do with how long they leave the cars out. The bigger operators can afford to buy more cars and cannot afford to be backed up with inventory so they will leave a car in the yard for maybe 4-6 weeks before crushing it and selling the scrap by weight. It usually stays cleaner in those places. The smaller yards keep cars 6+ months so it gets really bad. The worst thing people tend to do is completely destroy the inside door trim because they want to see if there is some expensive aftermarket speaker in the door. 99% of the time the panel is ripped open exposing the speaker and the speaker is still there because it was a stock and already had the paper/foam destroyed by age/use.
Great video. 100% correct on all counts. I've trolled scrap yards here in Canada for decades for the old clunkers I drive and have seen evidence of all that you describe. Even the yard staff unnecessarily damage components to get at something; like slicing through a whole bunch of good suspension parts with a plasma cutter to get at that coveted C/V joint. Instructional and humorous instructional at same time. Should be entitled "Yard etiquette"
I prefer to pull my own parts. But in the Red Deer area there no pull your parts yards anymore. You have to drive to Edmonton or Calgary, 1.5 hrs. each way. I miss Heavy Metal Wreckers out of Trochu, that farm was full of Mopars. One time I went there, with my very pregnant ex-wife. Pulled a grill, tail lights, and some trim for the '67 Dart GT. Tim the owner shook his head. I'm thinking $200 to $400. He said buddy, you have some big expensive bill's coming, paid $50 for the whole lot. Paid $ 20 for a wrap around rear window for the '57 D100. You can't get them anymore, was told if you break it, it's going to cost you $500. He was a good man, I got offended when people would say he was a greasy biker, he had a heart of gold, he helped the guys who were down and out, it was always worth the drive out there. RIP Tim.
+9000 for the Bad Obsession Motorsport hat. This video was killing me.
IKR...I was like "Wait, is that a BOMS hat????"
Project Binky is hands down my favorite car build show on youtube, it's so good! The Fairmont getting boosted has me clamoring for more though, can't wait to see that car kick ass! :D
Funniest video you've done yet. I knew you had it in you. Big Thanks for all the help over the years!
Also do not demand yard workers give you tools, I work as a mechanic at a Salvage yard and people all the time demand access to the tool boxes in our shop(The other mechanics and myself have to provide our own tools) that is not covered by boss and have had tools stolen while I am at lunch or out in the yard pulling parts. If the person gets to be to much of a pain with the demand I tell them give me your keys for a weekend to go "Racing"(I derby cars) or a $500 non-refundable fee to use my tools usually shuts them up.
Another one is do not take the keys, that is the number one thing taken from the yard I work in and newer security makes it harder to move and test engines.
My pick a part lots have a sign Bring Your Own Tools. There's a Harbor Freight or other stores pretty close by that sell tools at all my local pick a parts so there's no excuse for people to not have the right tool(s), although they do not sell common sense at any of those stores unfortunately because it seems many who go to these places are lacking any common sense and just destroy everything that they possibly can trying to get that 10 cent part out.
It's not even common sense, it's common decency. In Maryland there's a yard that's bigger than the town I grew up in, and it's obvious that people don't care in there. People always break stuff because they don't bring the proper tools. There's a harbor freight tools about 3/4 of a mile from there, I've left the yard to go there before, and if you explain the situation, they don't charge you a re-entry free. Probably one of the funniest things though was when I caught a couple getting it on in the back of a Chevy Express van. One of the things that pissed me off was when I saw a door panel I needed for my Envoy that someone just ripped off the door destroying it.
One thing that helps to know what tools you need, pull the part(s) off your vehicle first, then you know what tools you need at the yard...well in most cases anyways. Occasionally you'll run across a mid year change where they suddenly decided a metric bolt was a much better idea LOL, but usually I bring wrench/socket sets anyhow so doesn't matter necessarily, but knowing how to remove the part by taking it off your car first makes it much quicker at the yard, and you most likely won't have to destroy the whole car at the yard...unless they're the type of person that just goes to the yards to destroy stuff in the first place.
There are some dang nice vehicles in the yards sometimes makes me wonder why they're in there in the first place, too bad the yards don't take the time to find out from the person they're getting the vehicle from say if the engine is bad, tranny failed, etc...may help boost their sales some if they noted, good/bad engine/transmission on the windshield or other major parts good/bad on the vehicle.
Great video - probably an untouched topic anywhere. Last year on Black Friday, I stood in a mile long line at a pick your parts place that had 50% off. I needed brackets that a derp left off my engine when he swapped it, so I spent my day off tackling it. I saw that some hard working broke old guys actually are making ends meet by picking parts for others or doing shade tree jobs for friends of friends. There's an entire second hand (off the tax books) economy around that yard. So, when one destroys a part, they are making broke people even broker.
yeah what he did hear was destroy opportunity and assets..for what? so he can get ad money and thumbs up? fuck him
I have seen so many people do this at the pick and pull where i live. Funny video man.
hell I don't Even fix or work on cars but I watch all of your videos just because you are Eric :)
Thank you!
Eric! when there will be next April fools day, please do 1hour video like this
Everything in this video was "right on". Another Excellent video Eric.
Good work. Hate seeing good stuff get ruined at the junk yard
They should make everyone watch this video before entering a Pick-n'-Pull place! It's super short too!
Seriously, are you seeing this Pick-n-pull places?
When I was young I didn't know how to behave correctly at one. Of course it was a much junkier place but still....
I see stuff like this all the time, not so much the swiping parts from people that just pulled the parts, but destroying parts while removing other parts and making a mess all over the yard, smashing car windows just trying to look cool, damaging interiors just because, cutting wiring harnesses, knocking vehicles off the wheels they have them sitting on, throwing parts to a vehicle into another different vehicle, yep see that stuff all the time, and one of these days the yards are going to get fed up with it and just close down, and personally wouldn't blame them one bit.
This should be required viewing before entering any salvage yard. Great job.
Great tip! Heading to one myself this weekend. It is frustrating when you're looking for something that had been trashed due to carelessness.
i treat the car i am taking apart like my own car nice and gently i even put the bolts back in the correct places
I do as well, unless I need the bolts I put them in the car they came from in the console or the floorboard. Usually I'll take the fasteners that came out of the part I need anyways, I've been known to lose them in the process of replacement or drop them somewhere and can't find them so it is nice to have extra fasteners especially if they're not just an off the shelf hardware store variety.
You're the best Eric, my stomach muscle just gave in for uncontrolled fit of laughter!
too bad everyone else don't think like you do LOL. I have seen everything that you just showed.
FRREAKING YES, ERIC!! This style of video was something definitely missing from your channel (but not in a bad way). I LMAOed badly. I am sure you had tons of fun making it after so many hours in the shop or editing videos. Keep up the work man, you are inspirational.
Hey alright! bringing back some of your old techniques from the dealership eh!
Yes. Yes I am.
Your face when you took that dudes tire and started walking off was pure gold. I laughed so hard xD; that ETCG humor tho :D
Good job my good sir!
I work at a pick apart yard. I totally love this lol. Thank you eric. But we all know it will never stop. Shout out to jalopy jungle in idaho. P.s. keep up the good work eric.
I think you had the most fun shooting this video over all the others! looks like it was fun!
And if somebody is having some trouble trying to remove a part be nice enough to ask to see if they need a little help with it.
I actually did this a couple of months back at my local LKQ yard; was attempting to get the right front interior door handle for my 2010 Aveo (it had started to crack, and I was NOT going to get wallet raped by my local GM Dealer again) but struck out. I was cruising the Nissan section looking for upgrades to my sister's Versa when a guy asked me if he could borrow one of my tools to remove the Neutral Safety Switch off of one of the other Versas in the yard. and I offered to help him remove the switch which I did, WITHOUT breaking it!
I actually use that Pull-A-Part and I absolutely endorse this message
Great video.... everything you showed in the video, I have seen at the salvage yard! I hate it when people cut wires!
What a funny Video. . .Message is spot on. must have been fun to make. watching you as long as I have, you have told us about when things don't go right you have a rather colorful vocabulary and shown us how careful your are during your repairs. This video is 180 degrees off (letting your evil twin have fun a the salvage yard) I laughed pretty good. A number of years ago the Smithsonian produced a video called "a Docent(tour guide) Doesn't", in the same vein as this one, thinks for bringing back memories! KEEP ON, KEEPING ON!
Awesome job Eric!! That was funny and real at the same time.
Great video Eric a lot more people need to see this video because I hate when people do that crap.
One exception to the wiring harness thing: If the pigtail is what you're after (had that happen one time with the headlight switch on my truck, the old plug had melted and fused with the bad switch).
But yeah, I know people (my nameless best friend comes to mind) who just abuse the crap out of cars at PAP when pulling stuff... I try to be nice to things and leave behind fasteners that don't go with what I'm pulling (or that I'm buying outright).
Also, at least at the Louisville PAP, powered saws aren't allowed... But given that this was a sponsored video (and that the car used looked ready for the crusher), I figure that they made/requested an exception.
Yay PAP (where I have only left empty handed once, and that was because I ran out of time and had to return the next day).
Thanks Eric ! I am glad I am not the only one ...
Best story I have is a was working next to a person who came and borrowed my tools without asking and then asked me to come help him. But with accent/dialect it came out more like a demand. I can only guess that he comes from a country where people share and share alike and generally will be that forward with each other. It was good for a laugh once I saw he was harmless.
You are a nut, that was hilarious. I was actually cracking up laughing, what a great video.
I think I've broken every one of these rules when I was a careless kid. Now that I'm, uh....older and wiser, I agree with you 100%. Nothing is more upsetting then to find the rare part you need and come to learn some tool smashed it or broke it for kicks.
thanks for the laughs,good to see you enjoying the yard.
My shop gets junkyard parts all the time. It's amazing that they will cut wiring right next to a connector instead of disconnecting the connector.
Not always, but usually those connectors ARE EASIER to disconnect than take the time to cut or rip.
I hate that. You come back the next day to get the part you needed that you didn't get to find them damaged or ruined by grease. I'm sure we've all done it before and I've changed my ways when it comes to doing that. Great vid and good info.
Awesome video, I laughed through the whole lecture. But on a serious note, yeah, I've run into broken parts that I needed and someone destroyed it to get their part out.
I've never seen a junkyard that clean and organized.
My local yard has nice helpful guys, some salvage yards have the rudest most arrogant employee's I've ever met in my life. Try to sell you a part you know won't work or the phone price goes up as soon as you get there or get the part off I hate that.
Ha ha, there are 2 yards near me that are like that. Some places you just have to write it off as old school junkyard ambiance/charm. I only go there when they're the only one that have what I need.
I have been going to junk yards for now almost four years and my biggest pet peeve with the junkyards is that they should have the keys on file and for your license you get the keys to the car and when you return you get your license back. Just yesterday I wanted a wooden steering off a Volvo and it is near impossible when you don't have the key to move the steering window. Plus I have seen way to many trunks that are open with a crow bar or take out a tail light to pull the kiddy safety piece in the trunk.
Great vid Eric! I have seen all of these issues and worse! Thanks!
This is how I imagine everyone acts at the salvage yard when I go there. I'm usually looking for some little piece that's been broken 12 times already by people getting things around it. So frustrating. Thanks for this PSA. :)
Thanks for showing me how to have fun at pull a part!!!!!!!!
Another tip : don't expect strangers to loan their tools only for you to misuse it. If you are truly stuck, I would rather undo something for you myself, than leave my investment in your hands.
Exactly, I've helped a few people over the years, by going over and pulling stuff lose for them with my tools, but I'd never just hand them a tool of mine to use and expect to get it back because you most likely won't.
Thank you for making my day, Eric. I haven't laughed this hard in a while.
great job Eric I always knew you had it in you
thank you so much I thought I was the only one who thinks like this. Eric the car guy I salute you.
Eric, this was awesome. I laughed all the way through!!
LOL, I like how you tell us not to be a jerk and you go ahead and do it... !!! vary funny!!
I love how he tells you what not to do while he actually is doing it...
right!.. He could have Just shown but not damaged..
Curious to know what state this happen at lol
dont tell me it happen in California because i wouldn't be surprised. I been lucky that ive encounter good plp that have lend me their tools
Yup just outside of L.A. Not joking...
That was actually pretty funny, good work man!
my local junkyard doesn't have public restrooms. I've had to sit halfway off a bumper more then once. I have learned to bring napkins with me, bad idea to use a chunk of a car's interior to wipe with.
My gramma ran an auto salvage, and it wasn't uncommon to well......find places where someone dropped a load off while hunting for parts. There was even a couple outhouses out there.......
+StormLaker1975 ya I say just find a open trunk check for snakes and go at it. lol
Nowadays when you go there, people are not even allowed out into the field to pick out parts.. They have the vehicles inventoried and you just tell them what you need, and they send a kid out with tools to go get it.
+StormLaker1975 they have that at my JY with the newer stuff but the older stuff 2000s an later is open for everyone after they check in so the office knows who is out there.
Yah, hard to find wiring harness', windows, etc. because all others do is smash them. Plus it gets all over and can cause a hazard for tires/ people. I went to a scrap yard to look for a intact wire harness, had no such luck as every one was cut right off.
Bad Obsession hat. I'm always waiting for another Binky video.
You need to make people one of these PSAs for life too. Thanks enjoyed
+1 for Bad Obsession Motorsports cap.
loving the bad obsession motorsport hat project binkey ftw
Haha nice one, oh ya salvage yards or recycling yards and a host of other names detest being called a junk yard . BTW for a sec there I thought that was Briansmobile1 there with ya. Cheers
You look like you had genuine fun doing this video.
I'm sharing the hell out of this! i spent 3 months looking for a wiring harness because idiots want a sensor or injector and instead of spending 1 second disconnecting it they spent 5 minutes hacking up the harness.
This should be played on a constant loop at the entrance of all salvage yards! Also, contrary to what you said, not ALL yards have a restroom. LKQ has an outhouse at the FRONT of the yard. If I need something for my Dakota, I have to go toward the BACK of the yard, which is nearly a quarter of a mile. If I have to take a leak, I'll make sure no one is around and get as far toward the back as I can and go on the ground.
Good job man as always. Love the sarcasm with the truth.
This is one of the funniest videos I’ve ever seen
(applause) Not what I was expecting but I loved it. You should consider turning this into some sort of segment when, for example, you're waiting on something else to happen before you can upload what you originally intended.
Excelentttttt!!!! the best how to video a ever see!!! congrats!!! you have to continue to do this!!
Eric taking a piss behind the junk yard car was priceless!!!!! Lmao!
Funny cause I do that all the time at pick a part lol
Every example you demonstrated is spot on. So many otherwise useful parts get destroyed due to the ignorance and laziness of others. Nothing ruins a day faster than when you need a part, especially off a car that doesn't show up in a yard very often(like a Vigor), and some douche nozzle has destroyed perfectly good parts getting what they want off of the vehicle.
Wait... This isn't common sense?
Humanity pls
i was at Pull a Part earlier today and I was removing a radiator from an Acura to make room for transmission removal and as soon as I set it down, this confused looking Mexican STOOD on this radiator, sipped a beer and asked for vice grips to get a cylinder head bolt off... I was dumbfounded...
Love this video! Nice Junkyard PSA.