Who manufactures quality aftermarket car parts now ?

[dobbslc]

The big question eh!
I need some track control arms for my sons Mazda 3 but what do I buy? I've heard many stories of poor quality parts being sold that turn out to be junk.
I thought Qunitin Hazel were good but I've read a few tails of wow, what about Borg & Beck? Apec? FAI? NAPA?
Any advice?

 

[oldbikedavey]

The big question eh!
I need some track control arms for my sons Mazda 3 but what do I buy? I've heard many stories of poor quality parts being sold that turn out to be junk.
I thought Qunitin Hazel were good but I've read a few tails of wow, what about Borg & Beck? Apec? FAI? NAPA?
Any advice?

They all want to keep people on the treadmill of ignorance and dependency, and then spin it up as hard as they can......

 

[roofman]

The big question eh!
I need some track control arms for my sons Mazda 3 but what do I buy? I've heard many stories of poor quality parts being sold that turn out to be junk.
I thought Qunitin Hazel were good but I've read a few tails of wow, what about Borg & Beck? Apec? FAI? NAPA?
Any advice?

minefield...my advice is if it fits and works then use price as the main factor.

 

[reb78]

The big question eh!
I need some track control arms for my sons Mazda 3 but what do I buy? I've heard many stories of poor quality parts being sold that turn out to be junk.
I thought Qunitin Hazel were good but I've read a few tails of wow, what about Borg & Beck? Apec? FAI? NAPA?
Any advice?

As far as I can tell, all you list are old names now owned by the Chinese and producing mediocre to poor quality parts now.

I try and find out who actually makes the part for the car manufacturer if I can and but direct from them now. I.e. corteco for seals, gkn for driveline parts etc for my land rovers. But it's getting harder.

Febi Bilstein seem OK for many bits aftermarket. Mintex for brakes. Meyle seem to have a fairly decent name amongst aftermarket bits - think German owned even if made in China. They at least give the illusion of taking some care!

 

[8ob]

Our local factors supply Blueprint for anything Jap, not had any issues with any of that gear.

Bob

 

[Melvyn Best]

Can’t say in nearly 60 years in the motor trade I’ve ever been impressed with the quality of Quinton Hazel parts, had too many problems with them

 

[Rannsachair]

I tend to go for Lemforder,, Meyle, Febi Bilstien, Mahle, Sachs, Valeo, Hella, Corteco seals, Timken, FAG, SKF, NTN bearings, GKN Hardy Spicer, Dana UJ's though my last 20 odd years has mainly been Landrover parts.

 

[ajlelectronics]

The major issue I find is rubber parts which last six months, rather than the 10 years+ that they used to. Oh and Indian Lucas branded parts. One four way fusebox was so bad that I refitted the original with just the new cap.

 

[steveo3002]

I tend to go for Lemforder,, Meyle, Febi Bilstien, Mahle, Sachs, Valeo, Hella, Corteco seals, Timken, FAG, SKF, NTN bearings, GKN Hardy Spicer, Dana UJ's

agree with that

 

[MetalMonkey]

Then once you think you have found something half decent, be prepared for the myriad of fakes.

 

[Craig-SM]

BluePrint for filters and wheel bearings have been good and well priced. FAG for ball joints. Pagid for brakes but prices have risen a lot so used Borg & Beck last time and seem good quality and much cheaper.

 

[Domdom]

For track control arm stuff I go for Meyle HD.

 

[Robotstar5]

I usually put a thread up on here when I need recommendations for parts, normally get some good advice before the thread drifts off to "has anyone seen my camel?"

 

[Matchless]

I once put a pair of (Ebay special) lower wishbones on my Mk6 transit, it ended up with 8-10mm toe in and a lot of negative camber! only left it one day before tracking and wore most of the inside edges from the tyres!

 

[Matchless]

Take a look at the latest "salvage rebuilds UK" Youtube video!

 

[steveo3002]

my ford wishbones lasted over 20 years , over 200k miles , the car spares shop ones went just over the year !

 

[dobbslc]

my ford wishbones lasted over 20 years , over 200k miles , the car spares shop ones went just over the year !

This is exactly what I want to avoid!

 

[MetalMonkey]

Even the genuine OEM parts seem to degrade in quality over time. I've fitted genuine sensors which used to last ten years, but now only last a couple.
I suspect they "cost engineer" their supply chain as the vehicles get older.

 

[roofman]

Even the genuine OEM parts seem to degrade in quality over time. I've fitted genuine sensors which used to last ten years, but now only last a couple.
I suspect they "cost engineer" their supply chain as the vehicles get older.

OEM parts but made by who ??? dont need to be an Oxford graduate to work that out

 

[tigdlo]

Poor aftermarket parts have always existed but we used to have quality too, now we appear to have shrunk the quality range in favour of the lower end. Depends on the part, I don't bother seeking out the manufacturers I was happy with 15-25 years ago as they are mostly now just brands. For suspension Febi Bilstein have been fine for me for the price for what is a mid range part, if I did loads of miles I may have a different opinion. Mintex discs may as well be made of rust given how quickly they corrode after sitting a few weeks and don't clean up from using the brakes.

Lack of competition from large companies buying up smaller ones, same tat in different boxes. Same for car manufacturers themselves, white goods, car/home audio, etc, etc,

Our local factors supply Blueprint for anything Jap, not had any issues with any of that gear.

Bob

Owned by Febi Bilstein now, when I joined the motor trade 20 years ago it was always nice to be given Blue Print parts to fit with Pearl Parts suspension bushes being on the other end of the scale, still have nightmares.