Aftermarket Parts Quality

[skip0110]

Last night I was changing the brake pads on my Subie, and the $31 pads I picked up at the local auto-parts store were slightly off-shape and would not fit. I ended up getting the premium pads ($55) which still were off shape (extended beyond the rotor) but at least fit so that the caliper could be reassembled.

I really haven't seen much quality in aftermarket parts (a Civic halfshaft and Subie K&N filter come to mind), so I was wondering if you have any horror stories...or if you have any brand recomendations. Is there a reason why a non-OEM can't make brake pads that fit? Or do you swallow the price premium and get the OEM parts from the dealer?

 

[stumpydino]

meh id go for aftermarket, dunno why but its just the thing to go for

 

[Hell Raiser]

I get most of my stuff from aftermarket shops.I never had a problem with my parts

 

[Duke]

It depends.

Body parts I have always insisted on OEM, even if I have to yell and scream and ask for supervisors when talking to my insurance company.

Brake pads for the Neons I went OEM because they were really really good. I got good grip, great life, and moderate dust out of them. But otherwise I usually go with Raybestos or known third party.

Wiper blades - believe it or not - I always go OEM. They usually fit the windshield curve better and wipe better.

Other stuff, like starters/alternators I go with rebuilt parts. O2 sensors, etc, I will take third party stuff.

 

[Takumi Fujiwara]

I go aftermarket, but that's because I'm buying performance parts.

 

[Ghost C]

Usually aftermarket. OEM AC-Delco parts are generally alot more expensive, and aren't any better and are sometimes worse than the aftermarket parts.

I'll agree with Duke on Raybestos brakes, SuperStops are evil good.

 

[skip0110]

The pads I ended up with were Wagner ThermoQuiets...do they have a reputation?

They ahve a lifetime warranty with one replacemnet, so basically my $55 bought me two sets of pads.

 

[VIPFREAK]

Junkyard!

fender... $60

Door latch... $3

Cigarette lighter... Free

OEM... Pwnd

 

[Emohawk]

Junkyard parts are technically OEM.
Any 'performance' I have is naturally occurring or homemade (ie: I cut extra holes in my airbox and my muffler rusted off).

 

[a6m5]

Brake pads, I'd go third party. Body parts, definitely OEM(new/used). Mechanical parts, probably mostly OEM(new/reman). It's kind of fun to replace your old part with the performance parts also, as long as price is affordable.

 

[niky]

Junkyard parts are technically OEM.
Any 'performance' I have is naturally occurring or homemade (ie: I cut extra holes in my airbox and my muffler rusted off).

Must suck big time idling at the stoplight... I've had cars like that.

I usually go OEM, but if I can get certified parts at non-OEM prices, I'll go for it.

Just as long as I don't buy crappy Taiwanese knock-offs, I'm generally okay.

Didn't really think about that part... about the wipers... It kinda makes sense, though, as I've never found a perfect wiper fit in the aftermarket! 💡

 

[Joey D]

MY truck is still under warrenty so I just take it in when something breaks on it. But for wear and tear stuff I use aftermarket things because I hate anything Delphi touchs.

 

[a6m5]

Didn't really think about that part... about the wipers... It kinda makes sense, though, as I've never found a perfect wiper fit in the aftermarket! 💡

I've always used the factory wiper blades, except I did try a pair of PIAA once. Better than the original, but it was like $40 for the pair.

 

[amp88]

I was wondering if you have any horror stories...

I remember reading an a car magazine several years ago that a brake pad manufacturer was incorporating chicken dung in their pads.

edit: I bought a pair of "high performance" branded wiper blades for my old car and they were a lot better than the standard ones. Bigger area cleared and they also seemed to do a better job at clearing muddy spray

 

[MistaX]

It all depends who makes the aftermarket stuff.

The company makes a huge difference in the quality.

 

[Joey D]

Ya the key is to stick to name brand aftermarket parts. I mean if you put a Fram airfilter in over OEM you'll be fine, but if you but Clogsalot brand airfilter well then you are just screwed.

 

[PS]

Has anyone seen the Vortech Vs. GReddy Vs. 35th Anniversary 350Z comparo?

One's brakes made it take longer to stop and the other's low-profile tires didn't hold as well.

 

[a6m5]

Clogsalot brand airfilter well then you are just screwed.

Actually, Clogsalot intake kits I bought on eBay's great! Adds like 20hp, easy!

Seriously, yes, I think the name is very important in aftermarket parts.

edit:

Has anyone seen the Vortech Vs. GReddy Vs. 35th Anniversary 350Z comparo?

One's brakes made it take longer to stop and the other's low-profile tires didn't hold as well.

Even if it didn't necessarily make it worse, I'm sure the difference is minimal most of the time.

 

[Joey D]

Oh god ebay intakes, I tried that thinking hey its just bent pipe and a filter. Wow I've never seen crap fit so piss poor in my entire life. I think the intake tube is still in the wooded lot next door after I practiced my shot put with it. Needless to say I gave the guy a terriable rating.

 

[Emohawk]

Must suck big time idling at the stoplight... I've had cars like that.

Nope, it's pretty quiet untill around 3000 (and sounds kickass). Unfortunatly, that's also highway RPMs, so I don't leave town without jamming the muffler back on. (It hangs off the last 8 inches of the pipe and the usual rubber doughnuts. Actually hangs on decently like that, it's just less of a PITA to leave it off most of the time.)
Enough of that; 21 years is too old to get OEM parts anyway (I mean, reasonably priced ones), so I'm left with the junkyard, aftermarket, or ignoring the problem (mostly the latter).

 

[stumpydino]

theres a big trade in autojumbles here, you can buy stuff dirt cheap, may not be 100% but nothing a little fixing wont do and at least you can check it out before you buy tho you always come back with more than planned

 

[Race Idiot]

It all depends who makes the aftermarket stuff.

The company makes a huge difference in the quality.

You don't even own a car.

Oh yeah, Oem well for my current car anyway. Although I bought a set of Bosche (sp) wipers, but I think that's what the car came with.

 

[MistaX]

You don't even own a car.

Since when did that ever make a difference?