Has anyone used cheap eBay calipers?

[RBT]

Are OEM calipers from Subaru for a '98 MY still truly OEM? Or are they reboxed Chinese COO? I honestly don't know.

Also struggling with your math a bit?
(220x2)+(60x2)+80 = $640

Let me check my math, was a little short on coffee this morning.

Caliper $220 (just one I thought was needed - you can change a single front caliper but it’s the friction surfaces that need to all go together). I would not change an original caliper unless it had failed, I have changed single fronts without an issue.
Rotors $60x2=$120
Pads$80.
So pads and rotors are $200 and then you add the one caliper and that gives you $420 plus tax, shipping etc. Probably need fluid and maybe fresh slide pins, etc. that’s why I rounded up to $500.

Yes these are genuine Subaru. Beyond that I don’t know but that is what they say.

Have a good day.

 

[505kind]

I have yet to be impressed by Rock Auto…..

Please elaborate and qualify your statement. Rock Auto is the greatest of all time ime for a range of parts!

I buy a lot of authentic, premium quality Japanese parts for my cars & my customers cars @ Rock Auto for a fraction of what they cost from the stealer-ship(even with a 20% discount) and many other suppliers.
They save me a lot of $$$ and stress..
The only bad thing about Rock auto is that it’s all online(zero human customer service).

China is a juggernaut as many know.
I’ve used a plethora of various parts of various quality levels & price points from China.
I would prefer to never buy any part made in China or Mexico but that’s not reality.

I have minimal experience with Chinese made brake calipers OP. They have a reputation for good quality castings relative to the price. I wouldn’t hesitate with some research of the specific company:

 

[RBT]

For me the problem is not China - that horse has long ago left the barn - the issue is the no name brand and or unknown quality rebuild that you will find on eBay. Given the nature of supply chains it would not surprise me if many original equipment parts are sourced from China but if they have the manufacturer emblem stamped on them, unless it is counterfeit (possible on eBay) it has to meet original equipment specifications and that is what gives you some sense of the quality. to take another example iPhones are mostly made in China and irrespective of one’s phone preference, quality is not an issue with Apple products.

 

[505kind]

For me the problem is not China - that horse has long ago left the barn - the issue is the no name brand and or unknown quality rebuild that you will find on eBay. Given the nature of supply chains it would not surprise me if many original equipment parts are sourced from China but if they have the manufacturer emblem stamped on them, unless it is counterfeit (possible on eBay) it has to meet original equipment specifications and that is what gives you some sense of the quality. to take another example iPhones are mostly made in China and irrespective of one’s phone preference, quality is not an issue with Apple products.

I was very disappointed to see that my OEM NTK coolant temp sensor was made in China(authentic part from Rock Auto). Every NTK oxygen sensor I’ve ever bought was made in Japan or the USA.They’re a major OEM sensor builder. The quality of their sensors is second to none ime over decades.

I’ve been able to procure OEM Japanese Denso and other ultra premium parts for great deals on eBay but it’s gotten really hairy.
For the first time ever I was sold a counterfeit Denso MAF. A plethora of people all over the world are buying this crap. The seller gave me a bleeding heart family health story, refunded my $$ and told me to keep it. I don’t wanna derail this thread. I’ll post a thread about it.

AutoZone is overpriced a.f. but their warranty is outstanding. Even Duralast gold parts(China & Mexico…especially starters)I’ve bought from them have a disturbing come back ratio.
If I had my druthers I wouldn’t touch a Chinese or Mexican part(Greed & corruption is the problem not Mexican people).
That’s not reality though when you’re running a small business.
If I insisted that every customer use only OEM Japanese I’d loose a lot of business.
Denso starters & alternators are the best(they last for 150k) but they’re very expensive for some of my working class customers.

Sometimes you just can’t get a part from Toyota nowadays. Instead of selling you a high quality control arm bushing Toyota/Lexus wants to sell you an entire control arm assembly!
Thank god for USA made MOOG and others or It would cost a fortune to keep a 200k+ Toyota safely on the road.

Do a lot of research before you guys buy any Chinese made part and avoid the obvious crap on eBay & Amazon!

Good Luck gentlemen

 

[RBT]

I was very disappointed to see that my OEM NTK coolant temp sensor was made in China(authentic part from Rock Auto). Every NTK oxygen sensor I’ve ever bought was made in Japan or the USA.They’re a major OEM sensor builder. The quality of their sensors is second to none ime over decades.

I’ve been able to procure OEM Japanese Denso and other ultra premium parts for great deals on eBay but it’s gotten really hairy.
For the first time ever I was sold a counterfeit Denso MAF. A plethora of people all over the world are buying this crap. The seller gave me a bleeding heart family health story, refunded my $$ and told me to keep it. I don’t wanna derail this thread. I’ll post a thread about it.

AutoZone is overpriced a.f. but their warranty is outstanding. Even Duralast gold parts(China & Mexico…especially starters)I’ve bought from them have a disturbing come back ratio.
If I had my druthers I wouldn’t touch a Chinese or Mexican part(Greed & corruption is the problem not Mexican people).
That’s not reality though when you’re running a small business.
If I insisted that every customer use only OEM Japanese I’d loose a lot of business.
Denso starters & alternators are the best(they last for 150k) but they’re very expensive for some of my working class customers.

Sometimes you just can’t get a part from Toyota nowadays. Instead of selling you a high quality control arm bushing Toyota/Lexus wants to sell you an entire control arm assembly!
Thank god for USA made MOOG and others or It would cost a fortune to keep a 200k+ Toyota safely on the road.

Do a lot of research before you guys buy any Chinese made part and avoid the obvious crap on eBay & Amazon!

Good Luck gentlemen

Good points all.

One thing to keep in mind is that OEM does not equal OE. Years ago you could pretty much assume they were the same, but today you cannot. It makes keeping an older car reliable more challenging from a cost / value perspective.

Have a good day.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

And now I'm DONE

I got the new caliper and installed it. Everything is good so far

 

[lbhsbz]

I bought a caliper rebuilding kit from Automotive Brake Solutions and it's a complete kit. Everything you need except the caliper core.

Thank you for your business.