I have a 1991 DeVille that ultimately came into my possesion by fate. I am partially disabled with cervical spinal stenosis, and have found that this car allows the perfect adjustment of the seat and steering wheel to minimize my discomfort. The car was in pretty tired shape, and I decided to gradually rebuild it. I got it with 136K, and it now has 166K after about 3 years. I am not a mechanic, and have been at the mercy of the local shops. So far, I have replaced:

Air suspension for Strutmasters
CVJ's/Axles
Wheel bearings
Brakes
Wheels
Ball joints
Engine mounts (Twice)
Transmission rebuild
7 of 8 enjectors
Battery (twice)
Blower controller
Muffler
Catalytic converter (Which is temporarily out because it causes the car to get hot, and the engine starts missing and cutting out.)
O2 sensor
Crank pully and belt
Some smog parts
Some suspension parts yet to be installed

Anyway, I am having problems with parts that I buy and have installed lasting more than 25K. My CVJ's are starting to thunk again. The Engine mounts just had to be replaced again. Now, I'm looking for a steering rack and concerned that the part I buy will need replacement in 30K.

I may be delusional, but I thought that if you bought "OEM" parts, they should hang in for near as long as the originals sold with the car. What gives? I'm in $100/Hr shop time and assuming that when something's fixed, it's fixed.

Now, I'm looking at parts on the internet. I've bought some suspension stuff, and it all seems to come from the same distributor. I really put it to it, to try to find wheel bearing that wern't from China, and I found Missouri Bearings that are made here...I await to see how long they last.

I really want to fix this car up. I seem to be pouring money in and not getting too far. I saw a post on this forum for using Bosch injectors to solve some issues. I like that kind of thinking. Can anyone steer me to good parts and lasting upgrades?

Thanks, Jim

It sounds like your mechanic is making a good living. I have a weak back (not like yours) and the only car I can get comfortable in is my 92 Deville. You could bring it to my shop; I only charge $20/hr. Most auto parts are china junk nowadays. Even though they are lifetime warranty, they know most people only keep their cars 3-5 years so that is the lifetime of the parts.

Try Yancey or LKQ CORP. both are salvage yards. Have not personally purchased from them but alot of others on this forum have. I have had good results from e-bay getting parts for my 03' Deville.

Good Luck!

I've been dealing with RockAuto buying parts for my DeVille. I first learned about the company years ago on different car forums and they had a good reputation from those folks. I've buying from them for years and never a problem. Great Customer Service and the company sells first-line pieces/parts, Plus they stand behind their stuff! RA has lotsa Cadillac pieces/parts and the pricing is very good. Check their website. They even offer a 5% discount code, which helps with shipping cost....

Rock Auto is good and you have a choice of parts brands in some cases, but in most cases the OEM parts are perfectly satisfactory. Can't understand why some seem to be giving up too early............

Cervical spinal stenosis - here's what your neck will look like after they take out 4 discs, fuse the vertebrae, and install a titanium ladder with titanium sheet metal screws. 9.5 hours on the operating table in 2006. Complete recovery, but I don't look up at the sky any more..............

Engine mounts? I've never had to do mine

Hey All, Thanks for the replies and leads. I'll do some calling around on the recommendations...I'll check out the salvage yards and Rock Auto.

Cadillac_Al...With what I'm spending on service, I could probably drive anywhere in the country to your shop and it'd be cheaper than what I'm spending now. I live on the San Francisco Peninsula, and you can't even stand on the sidewalk for less than $20/Hr.

The thing that gets me is the pervasive "throw it away and buy new" attitude. We used to be a producing country, and now we're a consuming country. Most of the mechanics around here are "Why bother?" I'm the orginal owner of a 1976 Chevy Stepside Pickup with the 350, and I told my insurance agent what I'd put into it to keep it good, and he insures it as a "specialty" vehicle.

I'm wondering if maybe the premature failures are from pushing the car too hard. I have a reworked 1989 supercharged MR2 that I drove until I couldn't take the vibration anymore. I have to cross the Santa Cruz mountains several times a day, and I want the car to handle a bit. Maybe I'm trying to make an apple out of an orange. But, it's a strut suspension with a reasonably well balanced design, although I'll probably never get used to front wheel drive.

submariner409...I'm still trying to decide whether to say thanks for the pics. That's amazing. My stenosis was first diagnosed ten years ago when it pinched a nerve root. Like most guys, I've been whacked down below at one time or another, but I think that might not compare to the pain that came out of my right arm. Prednisolone finally undid it; but at the time, I was in so much continuous pain that they couldn't get me into the MRI machine.

I'm sure happy now for the Cadi!

Anyway, thanks again everyone for the responses. - Jim