I recently had to change the fuel pump in my GT, went to autozone got a new one swapped it out, and it was dead right out of the box. I have heard that autozone stuff is junk, but if that's the case where do you buy reliable stuff, and what brand is the best. Obviously OEM is normally out of the question.
Brought more stuff at autozone, I bought a grease gun today and it exploded on me. Almost everything I have bought there is defective. I hope the tie rods I bought there aren't, that could be really bad.
I haven't bought so much as a washer from autozone in about 8 years. they flat out suck, parts are crap, the employees (at the store close to me) didn't know **** , or care either, and O'reilly's was right across the street...
I've had good luck with Delphi and Bosch fuel pumps. But you never know these days, the same brnad an part number could be coming from (for example) Mexico, China, or the U.S. I would say if they can guarantee you its made here, buy that one.
Originally posted by ericjon262:I haven't bought so much as a washer from autozone in about 8 years. they flat out suck, parts are crap, the employees (at the store close to me) didn't know **** , or care either, and O'reilly's was right across the street...
I don't buy any "hard parts" at local auto parts stores unless I absolutely have to. The push for private branded stuff results in a huge quantity of lowest-bidder BS and I'm just not having it. I'll buy name-brand parts from parts stores, but if it's a house brand I stay away. Even NAPA, which you used to be able to rely on for having quality stuff frequently boxes up poor quality parts. In fact, the last thing I bought from them was a clutch slave cylinder and leaked out of the box. I buy most of my hard stuff online from rockauto or even amazon, where I at least have control over the brand. I'm so, so tired of black box parts it's not even funny.
Wish I had a good answer for this problem, but lately I've seen even MOOG parts being made overseas. Even worse than that, GM Performance Branded parts are also being sourced from overseas in some instances.
I recently bought a new Dorman Oil Pan for my Iron Duke. I suspected it would be made in Mexico, rather than the US, but whatever. Nope, CHINA. And it is painted with the word CHINA on the OUTSIDE of the pan, so I can be reminded of it every time I change oil.
Wish I had a good answer for this problem, but lately I've seen even MOOG parts being made overseas. Even worse than that, GM Performance Branded parts are also being sourced from overseas in some instances.
I recently bought a new Dorman Oil Pan for my Iron Duke. I suspected it would be made in Mexico, rather than the US, but whatever. Nope, CHINA. And it is painted with the word CHINA on the OUTSIDE of the pan, so I can be reminded of it every time I change oil.
Everything made in China doesn't come from Shenzen.
Has any one got a quality part from China? I'm still looking.
I have many. I've also had my share of cheap junk that was made in the US, over the years.
Do you have a cell phone? Computer? TV? Guess what. They're almost 100% Chinese origin parts. Timken, Moog, ACDelco, and many more, all have plants in China now. But they have decent quality control, too. It's about the quality control, not the country of origin. Almost everything coming out of the Shenzen region of China though, is cheap knock-off crap, and tends to be unbranded, with absolutely no quality control at all. So certainly avoid those products.
Indeed. Country of origin has about nothing to do with anything. Chinese parts made to a good spec are a good part - anyone ever seen a poorly finished iPhone? Never happened. It is 100% the people that box the parts that are responsible for dictating the quality of the contents, and it's Moog et al who are specifying low quality parts - which is why I tend to stay away from private branded parts, because the signal to noise ratio there is very, very bad. Parts stores' MO is always "get me the cheapest part possible, because my customers don't know any better." And they totally don't!
[This message has been edited by thesameguy (edited 11-18-2014).]
Originally posted by 2.5: Do you know of a way to research the quality control of a particular brand and part number?
Not really. But sticking to brands that have a history of high quality, generally means you'll get higher quality parts, even if they're made in countries where labor laws are questionable. Privately branded parts (like Duralast, etc…) can be reliable too, as long as they're made by a quality manufacturer. I've bought Duralast parts before which were just re-branded Moog parts, and they were fine quality wise. Difference was the box branding, and the warranty offered, which knocked the price down a bit.
Just don't always buy the cheapest part on the list at the store, and actually examine the part before paying for it. Check for Moog stamping and such on house-branded parts, and just do a bit of research, rather than rushing to get the cheapest/quickest fix possible.
Confirmed with NAPA that Altrom brand is made right here in Tennessee. Not that there is much available for our cars specifically. But, you can call your local NAPA with a part number, most times they can confirm country of origin. As I've said, good results with the Echlin electronic components, excellent 3/5 warranty.
Dobey is right though, it's all about quality control. FOXCONN does almost all of Apple's products, but the employees also kill themselves or others...I partially kid.
For me, and I am sure some of you feel the same way, it just feels wrong to have Chinese parts on a vintage American car. Sure a lot was Canadian in the past, but at least the same continent, and they did build the Arrow...
Maybe we can get a sticky for good part sources period? Seems to be a lot of manufacturing knowledge on the board.
