What's the difference ?
 

I am on a UK Toyota forum but I thought I'd also ask you guys as you seem to have more specialist knowledge.

I was looking on (UK) Ebay for a top strut bearing for my front o/s shocker & I came across these listings,

They are from the same seller, (who has a large & good rating.)
They are both quoted as QAM 148 (or equivalent ?) & I was wondering if anyone could tell me if they are the same product ?

I will contact the seller if I can't get an answer but I'm afraid he'll say he's made a mistake & charge me the dearer price ?( plus he may only reply on week days.)

Could the difference simply be just the make ?
Another thing is he offers freepost on one & the other (more expensive one) £5.99 postage.

Am I just being thick,(I've never bought one of these before, infact I haven't even seen one,) plus the sizes in one of the listing seem rather large.(though I haven't actually accessed the faulty bearing yet.)
Please help.

Here are the links:

Link #1:www.ebay.co.uk/Top-Strut-Bearing-Toyota-Camry

Link #2:www.ebay.co.uk/Strut-Bearing-Front-Toyota-Camry


Here is the bearing I'm trying to obtain :
Attachment 4072

Based on the description they are the same part.

The description states QAM148 or equivalent. This P/N is for a specific brand name and part number, KLARIUS/QUINTON HAZELL QAM148.

Equivalent would be a part that is equal to this specific name brand part but made by some other manufacturer. As to who made either of the parts offered in the ads don't know.

For various reasons Toyota dealer parts (and most other car manufacturers) are typically always more expensive then aftermarket. However dealer parts are of the same quality or better then the part that came on the car when new. Aftermarket quality can vary from great to bad.

For parts like bearings car manufacturers may buy standard parts (not custom built for the car) from a 3rd party manufacturers rather then make them. These parts would be sold under the Toyota brand at the dealer and often offered to the public via 3rd party auto parts dealers under the original maker brand or perhaps an auto store brand. The 3rd party part typically has a lower price.

Why the price difference in the Ebay ads, perhaps one seller gets a better discount when buying their parts, or one sellers part is not the same brand as the other. Price variations on parts between brands and sellers is common. China makes a lot of auto parts, quality ranges from excellent to poor.

Suggest an internet search on the part number to find what the market price is.

Email each seller and ask the brand name of the part they are selling. Ask the seller of the lower cost part about the dimensions of the part given in the ad which appear off.

You might check the Rockauto parts site for prices. They ship overseas. When looking for parts for non US cars at the site look for the NATO symbol next to the part. The V6 part is the same as the 4 cylinder part. See link below:

1996 TOYOTA CAMRY Strut Bearing

Your questions are relevant as part quality and prices can vary from sources at Ebay and even from auto parts stores. Part quality at the dealer will typically always be excellent. The issue if not wanting buy from a dealer is to understand what kind of parts you are buying in the aftermarket. Hence ask the sellers.

This is a common part which should be available from numerous sources.

Thanks for the prompt reply Toyomoho, some good points there.

The weird thing though is the different bearings come from the SAME seller. :confused:
One is cheap with freepost, the other is more expensive & he charges £5.99 for postage.
He doesn't state why & lists them a little differently, I was just a bit perplexed.
(& the sizes quoted on one seem a little off, I can't see them being that large !?)

I will probably have to message him after the weekend, but I thought I'd bounce it off you guys(& gals) to why it is possibly like this ?

The buying having 2 ads for the same item is unusual.

Do write and ask about the part in each ad. Inquire if the part is a genuine QAM148 or something else.

Well I contacted the seller & he said the more expensive listing was incorrect & the part I want is the cheaper listing. :)
He asked me if the rubber mount has split, as they sometimes do.
How do I check this without dismantling ?
The garage noted on the MOT (Yearly vehicle test in the UK)that the top strut bearing was partially seized but no mention of split rubber & he pointed out the bearing I needed in the workshop manual, how common is it for these to split ?

The bearing arrived today by courier, very fast !
(cost of bearing £22.60 with free P&P !)
QH branded so not bad quality,
the cheapest I could get from MrT was £88 !It's being fitted tomorrow.:)
Attachment 4070
Attachment 4071

Although I have plenty of tools for fixing my bikes I didn't have the correct tools to fit the strut bearing,:(
So I got local garage to fit it today, (& he did the tracking too.) All nice & quiet now. :)
& he only charged me £20.(Approx $31 US)