ThosL Posted June 3, 2017 Share Posted June 3, 2017 I will have to admit that I am not aware of problems that come with largely imported substandard quality of replacement auto parts. I apologize if I upset experts in the field on another thread. What are we talking about on this issue, 5% short term failures, 10%? Share your experience on where the abuses with the problem replacement auto parts have caused. Air bags I hear are a significant issue, engine parts, cooling system, transmission parts, front end and suspension, exhaust systems, brakes, additives; and tangential parts to the main operating systems. Here is a link to a query on google in the last year: https://www.google.com/search?q=chinese+auto+parts+problems&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8#q=chinese+auto+parts+problems&tbs=qdr:y What would legal remedies be? Class actions against manufacturers, complaints filed with your state attorney general or consumer rights commissioner. When I have had problems with a product from an auto parts store, I have tried to get refunds first from the store, then corporate, the credit card and finally with the state oversight legal department, usually I get results that way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeneralDisorder Posted June 3, 2017 Share Posted June 3, 2017 Sometimes the failure rate is nearer to 90%+. Check reviews on remanufactured starters and alternators from the likes of AutoZone, Carquest, etc. Sure they give you a lifetime warranty but it's not worth the paper it's printed on when you have to replace it twice a year. I've installed "new" distributors that failed right out of the box. AutoZone again. Had a Chinese water pump destroy an EJ25D. Weep hole leaked all the coolant out and the customer overheated it to the moon. Lasted less than 6 months. There really isn't any recourse except to seek compensation through the retail channel you got it from or dispute it with your credit card company. Gates took it upon themselves to "redesign" the EJ timing belt tensioner for their kits. This in-house new design was made in Canada. Looked like a nice part even. I installed one and it knocked like MAD. Thought the engine had a rod knock - it was incredibly loud. I removed the covers and filmed it knocking and we posted the video on Gates Facebook page. That resulted in a huge backlash on them. Other people took videos removing the new tensioner from the kit and throwing it into the street.... My national wholesaler pulled every kit off the shelf and I got a call from the VP of corporate sales who sent me a gift card and a hand written apology. They pulled that new tensioner from the market, switched back to NTN and told their engineering team to stop messing with it. GD 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1 Lucky Texan Posted June 3, 2017 Share Posted June 3, 2017 (edited) almost anything that has a lifetime warranty means "the customer is not JUST the final QC, they are the ONLY QC" Edited June 3, 2017 by 1 Lucky Texan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveT Posted June 3, 2017 Share Posted June 3, 2017 The other thing about lifetime warrantees is that they count on you selling the car before it breaks. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike104 Posted June 3, 2017 Share Posted June 3, 2017 Best to spend a bit more and get a quality part. Yes parts from Subaru cost more than Advance Auto/AutoZone/O'Reilly's but generally will be a quality part. There are other non Subaru high quality options for those that have more experience/knowledge but for me getting a Subaru OEM part is the best option. Other than going to the retail source and using the warranty (another POS part) there isn't really much you can do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matt167 Posted June 4, 2017 Share Posted June 4, 2017 You can get Aisin ( OEM ) water pumps from Napa, very slightly cheaper than dealer.. Many parts are available from OEM companies from Napa and even independent Carquest still but the person behind the counter is the one who can see what they can get or have in stock. Napaonline is easier as it's online 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThosL Posted June 6, 2017 Author Share Posted June 6, 2017 I have had about 8 Subarus over the years, from a 1984 1.8 wagon to a '99 Outback. In terms of part failures, the only ones I would characterize as abnormally fast failures would be CV joints. I had an oil pump fail on one, unfortunately I did not pull it over and have it towed immediately, I suspect that was an original pump. I have had front wheel bearings fail, I suspect most of those were original, though I had a local expert garage install a set of those to the front wheels which failed in less than 2 years, which may have been due to the hubs having been compromised, no discount was offered by that shop at that point. I have had a few head gaskets fail, hoses around the top of the engine, etc.. There are probably failure rate studies that have been done by Subaru with all the benefits and business they would get by publishing those. I replaced a set of spark plug wires with NGKs I got at the junkyard with little wear, I had tried to find them on ebay/Amazon without luck for under $40. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeneralDisorder Posted June 6, 2017 Share Posted June 6, 2017 You have had relatively good luck. But a personal sampling of 8 Subaru's is minuscule. I work on 8 Subaru's a day between myself and my tech's. I've owned.... IDK maybe close to 100. Being a specialty shop, we get all the repeat failures from the "other guys" that recently did the job. I see lots of shops that obviously JDGAF. And plenty more that "try" but it wasn't good enough. Mostly through the use of aftermarket parts and improper procedures. The best mechanic will fail though if the part isn't manufactured correctly. In the quest for advertising the "lowest price" they buy the cheapest parts. That's how it is - with the aftermarket parts suppliers, and all our competitors. We refer to it as the "Race to the bottom". Bottom dollar. They want to get the cars in, get them back out, and collect the money. There is no F**ks given as to longevity because all these shops have "deals" with the parts suppliers that if they only buy their parts, they will reimburse their labor (at 50%) if the part fails. Inconvenience to the customer, and potential collateral damage is not considered or cared about. They just want the "best" price, and the "best" warranty. And if it only lasts a few years - well sorry to you Mr. customer - you got what you payed for and it outlasted the 12 month warranty so "our hands are tied". Sad face.... That's not how I operate. If it fails and it shouldn't have. I fix it. Period. No cost to the customer. I don't give warranties - my word and my reputation are all that anyone needs and if that's not good enough then take a walk. See what else is out there. Doesn't matter a lick to me - I'm swimming in work and customers that appreciate what I do and how I do it and are willing to pay for the privilege - and trust me - it's a privilege. GD 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike104 Posted June 7, 2017 Share Posted June 7, 2017 You have had relatively good luck. But a personal sampling of 8 Subaru's is minuscule. I work on 8 Subaru's a day between myself and my tech's. I've owned.... IDK maybe close to 100. Being a specialty shop, we get all the repeat failures from the "other guys" that recently did the job. I see lots of shops that obviously JDGAF. And plenty more that "try" but it wasn't good enough. Mostly through the use of aftermarket parts and improper procedures. The best mechanic will fail though if the part isn't manufactured correctly. In the quest for advertising the "lowest price" they buy the cheapest parts. That's how it is - with the aftermarket parts suppliers, and all our competitors. We refer to it as the "Race to the bottom". Bottom dollar. They want to get the cars in, get them back out, and collect the money. There is no F**ks given as to longevity because all these shops have "deals" with the parts suppliers that if they only buy their parts, they will reimburse their labor (at 50%) if the part fails. Inconvenience to the customer, and potential collateral damage is not considered or cared about. They just want the "best" price, and the "best" warranty. And if it only lasts a few years - well sorry to you Mr. customer - you got what you payed for and it outlasted the 12 month warranty so "our hands are tied". Sad face.... That's not how I operate. If it fails and it shouldn't have. I fix it. Period. No cost to the customer. I don't give warranties - my word and my reputation are all that anyone needs and if that's not good enough then take a walk. See what else is out there. Doesn't matter a lick to me - I'm swimming in work and customers that appreciate what I do and how I do it and are willing to pay for the privilege - and trust me - it's a privilege. GD If only the rest of us lived close enough to great independent Subaru specialists. Around here if you don't take it to the dealer you will get someone who knows little about Subaru's and if you are lucky they won't f*** up your car too bad! If you take it to the dealer your wallet will feel it and hopefully will get a tech that cares. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThosL Posted June 29, 2017 Author Share Posted June 29, 2017 I've been checking out Rock Auto for reasonably priced Subaru parts, I could have gotten a Bosch water pump for what I paid for a Carquest unit, only drawback is the shipping wait. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeneralDisorder Posted June 30, 2017 Share Posted June 30, 2017 We generally stick with Aisin, Paraut, NPW for the water pump. I have no experience with Bosch. GD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThosL Posted June 30, 2017 Author Share Posted June 30, 2017 Here is a list of water pumps for my 2.5 Legacy: http://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/subaru,1997,legacy,2.5l+h4,1269985,cooling+system,water+pump,2208 No significant pricing difference from the substandard to quality. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeneralDisorder Posted June 30, 2017 Share Posted June 30, 2017 (edited) Get the Aisin one. It will have the best build quality. Notice how it has a heart next to the listing - that means it's a customer favorite. Notice that it also shows the gasket it comes with which is the OEM metal gasket. That's a $6 advantage right there. Other do often come with paper gaskets and these can and do fail. Not to mention they don't come back off clean like the embossed metal OEM version. GD Edited June 30, 2017 by GeneralDisorder Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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