Getting parts from Cat is sometimes horrible!!!! Got a part the other day in clear plastic bag, you could plainly see the part, not the one I ordered! it was a cork! The label stapled to it clearly read rod end, which I ordered. Had to wait two days to get it. Ordered some "emergency" parts for a Hulcher sideboom today, had the parts in stock, surprisingly! said they will be in will call, went to get them two hours later and still didn't have them in will call and had to go to the tiki bar [parts counter] and reorder all the parts!!!!! We call our "dealership" Ohio CAnT!!

Hi, Folks.
Getting parts for ANY machine from ANY manufacturer is dependent on the dealer's dedication to their service commitment and can even vary substantially from one branch to another within the same dealership, even from one person to another within the same branch.

I had an experience with a John Deere dealership in California having some parts for a JD grader on back order for over 2 weeks. I went to the local Carquest AUTOMOTIVE parts dealer and spoke with their head parts man. He had the parts for me in under a week.

Just onna side note, that same parts man says he would be happy to try to source 'hard-to-get-ium' parts for Caterpillar machines if asked. I have suggested to him that he browse the discussion here to see where/if he could help.

Just my 0.02.

That's interesting. the disk I got from Caterpillar were straight. They worked as they should. Bet you got proficient at pulling the motor. Glad it all worked out for you. bboaz

Be happy that you figured it out, and everything is working as should. Frustrating I am sure. A former truck mechanic who was trained in the Air Force, said they taught them to look for the stupidest things before tearing anything apart. Parts departments? I miss the old IH dealership we had here. The seasoned parts man either had the part # in his head or knew exactly where it was placed. No waiting for anything. Well stocked parts department. Those days are gone! JM

As you guys can imagine, I was at my wits end with this clutch disengagement problem.  Let's face it, these clutches are not complicated, and that is what was so frustrating for me... I removed that engine three times before figuring out the problem was the butterflied fingers on the friction discs.  I had lost my will to work on this stuff... but I'm back!

Cat should refund you for a defective part and reimbursement for time and labor!! But they would just laugh at you. We understand your frustration.

i had "fun" get a tail shaft seal for the trans in a mitsubishi 4wd i ordered the seal according to the numbers on the seal it was the wrong one. the parts store bloke said there was 2 different seals. luckily they had the other one in stock and swapped it over for me. i think it was 4 dollars difference.