I think I found one of Prothe's suppliers

[trav1856]

http://www.vepump.cn list pumps and parts for our pumps. I was looking for timing advance springs, and stumbled onto this site.

Then again, I could be wrong, however, they do have good info with an interactive "blow up" of our parts (you click on the part you need, and it's highlighted on the picture)

either way, it might be a place to find some hard to find parts...

[rallydiesel]

Could be one of them. I have found multiple factories in China that make VW parts. Remember that China still uses Mk2 based VW's and I'm sure they also have many industrial small diesel VW engines in use. So there are many suppliers of these parts, albeit crappy and poor materials.

[trav1856]

well....to some degree, I agree with you. However, I do know from first-hand experience, a label of Made in China, doesn't necessarily mean it's a bad thing...that being said, as with anything, mileage may vary (no pun intended)..some Chinese stuff is really good, some of it, it's hit or miss depending on the batch, because of crappy regulation.

[fatmobile]

 I hope the youngsters making them signed a document saying they won't commit suicide due to bad working conditions,..
 now required for apple I-pod workers in China..

[BigVWman]

SOME chinese stuff is of very good quality it just depends who is watching the store so to speak, they have the ability to make quality parts just not the desire or incentive. However, that said, it turns my stomach knowing they don't allow american parts and suppliers to compete fairly and on an even playing field in china, but manage to ship everything here and we gobble it all up! I cannot even find any stock size replacement brake rotors for my ford not made in china, even raybestos, bendix,wagner and motorcraft all made in china. Sad.

[trav1856]

It *is* a sad state of affairs I agree with you. Hardly anything is made in the US anymore and we have corporate greed to account for that. Why pay a fair wage and clear a 10% profit, when you can have it made abroad and make a 150-200% profit?

[wdkingery]

On this note, I have contemplated opening a store in Virginia that only sells quality, made in USA pieces... Mostly clothes to start. I hate a $60 made in China hoodie from hollister! Still wears like a Walmart.. not warm, thin.. pitiful. And these kids suck it up! I don't even know if the store would make it.. nobody cares about nothing.
The world might as well end on Sunday, cause in this country it pretty much already has.

[trav1856]

I'd buy from you

[BigVWman]

I would buy as well, and i think there is a market for such a store. It is the corporate greed at heart , the problem though is the consumers don't seem to be informed enough about what is really going on in the world, the power of the dollar is undeniable, if we stop buying the crap they will stop importing it!You mentioned clothing first, I also recently tried to buy a new pair of work boots, my old pair is carolina brand and has served me very well- 2yrs on a jobsite i cannot complain. I checked every work boot brand at tractor supply yesterday, all china, i saw carolina's at northern tool along with carhardt both also made in china i couldn't believe carhardt the old stand by, now has a line made in china. I emailed carolina boots and though they admitted some are made in china the trusty made in usa boots are still available and they directed me how to find them. It has been the only corporate entity that even bothered to respond when questioned. The more your eyes are opened to it, the more disgusting it gets. Have you tried to buy a new set of tires lately? Most of the brands they are pushing are made abroad kumho,riken,falken or worse goodride*wtf* nexen doral bct all in stock but i'm sorry sir those bridgestones you want wouldn't be in until Tuesday!

[rabbitman]

The shoes I used to use cost $22 and lasted a whole year before the inside fell apart, suddenly the price goes up to $25-$30 and they olny last 2 months before the sole splits at the bend when I kneel down...... Granted, I did gain 15lbs.........

So I switch brands (el cheapos of course) and now they last about half a year and the inside is shot but at least I don't discover they've had it by walking across a wet, slushy parking lot and getting wet feet.

PS. This is diesel related because the soles cracked from kneeling down and changing lots of parts on the bunny.

[fatmobile]

Way off topic but I went to a wedding or something,.. put on some cheap dress shoes.
 Didn't take them off until I got home, went in the garage for something.

 Must have stepped in something because the next time I got those shoes out,
 at my cousins funeral.
 Put them on just before I went in.
 I felt like Pigpen. Left a trail of shoe pieces everywhere I went.
 The soles were crumbling off,.. and not just a little.
  Noticed the funeral home worker following me with a broom/dustpan.
 
 I went out and put on my Chuck Taylors back on.

[BigVWman]

yep guess i/we kinda took that slightly off topic, anybody try those chinese driveshafts? i think napa has found prothe's supplier also! The chinese ones are all they had stocked on the shelf!

[ToddA1]

I hope the youngsters making them signed a document saying they won't commit suicide due to bad working conditions,..
 now required for apple I-pod workers in China..

What happens if the worker breaches contract?

-Todd

[rallydiesel]

They take possession of the body, cut it up and put it on display for the "Our Body" exhibit.