My 2nd posting on this topic to warn others....

Stay away from local "chain" parts places. I replaced the distributor coil on my camry using aftermarket parts. Cheap price, you getwhat you pay for...

The original was out of specs, so i swapped out for one i got from an outoparts store. Well, the car runs like crap even with this new part in it, worse than the original before it went bad.

Tested the resistance recommended by toyota and found the ohms were all over the map for this aftermarket part, not even within range of the specs almost alien like...

Moral of the story, stay with OEM parts or learn the hard way.

Before this, the aftermarket timing belt stretched at 60k miles on it while the timing pulley began to whine.

Live and learn....

 

Ditto.

And more ditto for buying rebuilt parts at chain stores.

 

yeah, sure.
say, 2000 Silverado OEM window regulator gave up on me at 50 000 miles. Dealer wanted $200 for it. I bought aftermarket one for $67. Truck has 126 000 miles on it and regulator still works.
I'd have been real careful blaming stores based on one instance. Yes, used to be junk years ago. Say, AL's Auto Supply, yep.. But they are gone in smokes. And now you can buy "aftermarket" parts for the 3rd of price you'd pay dealer, and from the same manufacturer.

 

oh, and on many makes, serpentine belts are to be replaced at 60 000 miles anyway.

 

Yes the serpentine is to be replaced at 60K, but not the timing belt. Timing belt should last 75K or so. The original OEM pulley lasted 2 belt changes, whereas the aftermarket pulley began whining loudly at 60K miles on it.

another example- replaced the "dog bone" motor mount with aftermarket parts. It has a warranty and I have taken it back to the autoparts place 3 times since I purchased it originally. Made of lesser quality rubber that wears out, starts to flake rubber pieces like dry skin, and shows deep cracks about every 3 months or so.

another example- replaced the alternator with a rebuilt one. thing whines and is noisy. It works, but the noise is very annoying.

You gettin my drift? more often than not, my experience with these parts places are not selling quality parts like they previously used to. It seems over the last couple years that parts quality has taken a dive. Maybe due to the bad economy, wanting competative prices has caused lesser quality manufacturing to produce these parts than before. it just seems like a trend over the last few years...

 

Have noticed this trend in the decline in quality at some auto parts chain stores, especially on rebuilt parts.

It is not uncommon for a name brand to be purchased by a company then quality down graded to make more profits. Called living off the brand name and it takes time for users of the brand to catch on. After all xxx brand parts are known for their quality. They were until the brand was bought out, now it's downhill.

Typically only buy from chain stores if needing the part ASAP and even then assume it will fail over time. If the repair can wait I order online where can pick the manufacturer.

A few examples of issues with parts from local chain stores.

1st replacement axle started clicking after a few miles (bad CV joint), 2nd looked OK but the axle length was just a little too short to install (why?), 3rd one seemed to work OK.

1st rebuilt starter did not work, 2nd had a solenoid problem, 3rd time purchased a brand rebuilt by the original manufacturer. Cost twice as much but worked fine.

1st radiator blew out one of the cooling tubes after less than 6 months, 2nd worked OK.

Replacement heater valve and oil pressure sender leaked after a year.

Most of the parts had some warranty even life time but it does take time to change out a bad part. Then there is the hassle of dealing with the store whose manager of the day states I must have done something wrong to cause the part to fail.

Alas the parts counter person once free to talk openly states they see these kinds of returns all the time, they state the problem is the part not the mechanic.

If possible I rebuild the original part that came with the car when new. New bearings and brushes in the alternator, starter solenoid contacts, radiator repaired by radiator shop, caliper rebuilt. This takes time but at least I know what I have and am staring with a good quality parts.

I will even purchase a Toyota brand part if I think the risk of failure overrides the higher price.