The Internet is your friend. An online search of the text on the component (if any exists) or the part’s physical characteristics is one way to get a lead.
John Minor, president and COO at Midwest Wheel, says his team does this when a part number found on a component doesn’t turn up any results in the company’s inventory.
“We have had experience with just Googling a casting number, sub number and a part number, and in most cases the search results will show the [aftermarket] number and even pictures,” he says.
An Internet search also is great due to its speed. Inputting a part’s characteristics into a Google image search might not immediately offer an OEM or aftermarket stocking number, but it’s a good bet to at least show you what it is. It also gives you options for a next step.
