When a commercial vehicle is off the road, the last thing you want is to spend hours trying to work out exactly which part you need.
Sometimes you have a clear part number, manufacturer name or serial number to work from. Other times, all you have is a worn component, a photo on your phone and a description along the lines of:
“Have you got one of these?”
The good news is that, in many cases, that can be enough to get started.
At Part-Serv, we regularly help customers identify commercial vehicle, tail lift, shutter door and body parts when the exact part number isn’t known. The more information you can provide, the quicker and easier it is to narrow down the correct component.
Here are some of the best things to check before getting in touch.
1. Start With the Manufacturer
If you know the manufacturer of the equipment or component, that is one of the most useful pieces of information you can provide.
For example, if the part relates to a tail lift, look for the manufacturer name on the lift itself or on the identification plate.
You may see manufacturers such as:
- Dhollandia
- DEL
- Zepro
- Palfinger
- Anteo
Even if you don’t know the exact part number, knowing the manufacturer can significantly reduce the number of possible parts.
The same applies to shutter doors, load restraint systems, vehicle body components and other commercial vehicle equipment.
2. Look for Labels, Numbers and Markings
Before removing or disposing of the damaged part, have a close look for any markings.
You may find:
- Part numbers
- Serial numbers
- Castin numbers
- Manufacturer logos
- Product labels
- Sizes or dimensions
- Model references
Don’t assume a number is irrelevant.
Even if it doesn’t look like a traditional part number, it may still help a parts advisor identify the manufacturer, range or component family.
If you can, take a clear photograph of any markings before contacting us.
3. Take More Than One Photo
A close-up photograph is useful, but sometimes it doesn’t give enough context.
One of the easiest ways to help identify an unknown part is to provide several photos.
We recommend taking:
- A close-up of the component
- A photo showing the whole part
- A photo showing where it fits on the vehicle
- A photo of any connections, fittings or mounting points
- A photo of any labels or markings
- A photo alongside a ruler or tape measure where size is important
The more detail we can see, the better.
Sometimes two components can look almost identical from the front but have completely different fittings, dimensions or mounting arrangements.
4. Measurements Can Make a Big Difference
When there are several similar versions of a part, measurements are often the deciding factor.
Depending on the component, useful measurements might include:
- Overall length
- Width
- Diameter
- Pin size
- Roller diameter
- Hole centres
- Cable length
- Thread size
- Mounting dimensions
You don’t always need highly technical measurements.
Even a simple photo showing the part next to a tape measure can sometimes provide enough information to narrow down the options.
5. Tell Us Where the Part Came From
Knowing where the component fits is just as useful as knowing what it looks like.
For example:
- Is it from a tail lift?
- A roller shutter door?
- A side guard?
- A vehicle body?
- A load restraint system?
- A trailer?
- A hydraulic system?
If possible, tell us which side of the vehicle it came from and what the part connects to.
A small piece of context can make a big difference when identifying an unfamiliar component.
6. Explain What the Part Does
If you don’t know what the part is called, explain what it does.
For example:
- “It holds the roller in place.”
- “It connects the control box to the tail lift.”
- “It sits at the bottom of the shutter door.”
- “It is part of the hydraulic system.”
- “It secures the load inside the vehicle.”
You don’t need to know the technical terminology.
Describing what the component does and what happens when it fails can often help us identify it.
7. Don’t Guess If You’re Not Sure
When a vehicle is needed back on the road quickly, it can be tempting to order the part that looks closest.
But ordering the wrong component can create even more downtime.
A part may look almost identical but have a different:
- Length
- Diameter
- Thread
- Electrical connection
- Mounting arrangement
- Load rating
- Manufacturer specification
Taking a few extra minutes to gather the right information can help reduce the risk of ordering the wrong item.
8. Send Us What You Have
You don’t need to have every piece of information listed above before contacting Part-Serv.
If all you have is a photo and a rough description, send it over.
Our parts team can work with the information available and let you know if anything else is needed.
Craig, Lee and Dan deal with commercial vehicle parts every day and have experience across tail lifts, vehicle bodies, shutter doors, curtains, load restraint and general commercial vehicle components.
Sometimes identifying the correct part is simply a case of recognising it.
Other times, it takes a bit of investigation.
Either way, we’re happy to help.
Getting the Right Part First Time
Finding the correct commercial vehicle part isn’t always as simple as typing a part number into a search box.
Vehicles and equipment can vary by manufacturer, age, specification and previous repairs, meaning the same-looking component may not always be the correct one.
Providing clear photos, measurements, manufacturer details and information about where the part fits give your parts supplier the best possible chance of identifying the right component first time.
And if you still aren’t sure?
Send us a picture.
We’ll take it from there.
Need Help Identifying a Commercial Vehicle Part?
If you’re looking for a tail lift part, shutter door component, vehicle body part, load restraint product or general commercial vehicle component, get in touch with the Part-Serv team.
Send us the information you have, along with clear photographs where possible, and we’ll help you identify what you need.
Email: sales@part-serv.com
Call: 01733 977584
Or browse our full range of commercial vehicle parts online at Part-Serv.
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