Warning: I wasted $150 on a 'universal' dryer motor that didn't fit anything

I bought a Supco UDM-5 motor from a local parts house in Springfield because the guy said it would work for three common models. Spent two hours trying to make it fit a basic Whirlpool dryer before I gave up and had to order the exact part. The universal part was cheaper, but the labor and time lost made it a total loss. Anyone have a good supplier that doesn't push these 'fits-all' parts that never do?

4 comments

4 Comments

wader712mo ago

Eh, universal parts are always a gamble... but $150 and two hours? That's a rough day for sure.

davis.olivia2mo ago

My last universal water pump lasted 85,000 miles in a 2002 Civic. For $150 and a Saturday morning, wader71, that's a win compared to a dealer part at triple the price. The gamble usually pays off if you buy from a known brand and check the specs twice before installing.

thomasgonzalez2mo ago

My old Ford needed a thermostat housing last year and I was sure a universal part would fail fast. After seeing what davis.olivia said about her Civic, I gave it a shot and it's been perfect for 15 months now. Sometimes the gamble is just about knowing what you're buying.

ramirez.vera18d ago

I had the same worry about my 2005 Explorer when I needed a radiator. I spent $120 on a universal one from a brand I knew, and that thing went 70,000 miles before I traded the truck in. The key is checking the inlet and outlet diameters twice making sure the hose clamps fit right and not just trusting the picture online. Two hours and $150 is pretty standard for a job like that, especially if you got a couple of tools and a cold drink handy.