More Junk Parts. Very Frustrating.

[JayhawkRoy]

Subarus used to be a good value, but they're just crazy on price now (what isn't?).

I had a 2018 Forester than I loved. Unfortunately, it had 7 warranty visits for non functional AC and was sold to Carvana with non functional AC at 48 or 58k miles ... can't remember.

Everyone told me the engine would burn oil or leak and I never had any consumption except the one run where I used Mobil 1

Four Subaru wagons starting with a Brighton 2.2L 1999; 4 Outbacks since then. Two got rear ended and wrecked so never found out theri true longevity. One of them needed wheel bearings. One needed a cam sensor. Daughter got 2021 because CVT failed at 150K miles. Otherwise normal maintenance on them, so yes we seem to be a Subaru family. No head gasket issues but used the coolant conditioner as recommended in the 2003 and 2011. Oil consumption varied from zero in 6K to one quart in 6K. 2021 had a not so expensive AC issue to be fixed. As noted zero issues with the 2021.

Current ones bought during and right after COVID, so the pricing wasn't good, still seemed to be a good AWD value. Daughter got a good deal with vehicle prepurchased before it arrived, so no ability to add on unnecessary stuff at dealership. I had to do some fighting to reduce the add ons and I will no longer use that dealer in KCMO anyway, since I relocated to Lawrence. At the time I got a good sales tax break by buying in Missouri and paying sales tax in slightly rural Kansas. Think MO changed the policy to collect their sales tax at POS, so that savings is no longer there.

These will get traded out at 140K to possibly avoid the 150K costly CVT replacement. No dealer or mechanic wanted to do anything but replace and not attempt to diagnose. The 2011 got sold as is to Carmax Wichita for a decent price.

I am probably more neutral, but wife and daughter really like the Subarus. Wichita dealer has good service for my daughter (very upfront and accurate estimate pricing ; few upsells to decline), as does the Lawrence dealer, so they are winning us as service customers also.

 

[Opelman]

This is why I try to use OEM replacement parts as much as possible…and sourced from dealership parts departments, not Amazon.

That is a great way to go except when the OE stops supplying the needed parts. Our local GM dealer put a Cardone reman steering box from O'Reillys on the wife's 03 GMC 1 ton as factory new or factory reman weren't available. I even told the service writer to avoid Cardone. It was complete and total garbage. They redid it and got another one which was only marginally better but is getting sloppy now that the warranty is up and even if it wasn't, Cardone is gone. I just replaced the hydroboost unit on the same truck 3 days ago. Dealer ripoff price for new $900.00+. At least Rockauto had the ACDelco new with the same part number as the dealer unit for $400.00.

 

[D60]

I feel like this still needs to be said even though it should be common knowledge: once you install aftermarket CVs you're stuck in a cycle every one to two years. I installed these Trakmotives Aug '24 and discovered today in May of '26. No telling when it first started.

This is an '09 Rogue and you can actually get TPE outers (on aftermarket axles) for AWD units but this is FWD. @The Critic I wanna know how your Trakmotive adventures hold up after a couple years

 

[2strokeNorthstar]

I feel like this still needs to be said even though it should be common knowledge: once you install aftermarket CVs you're stuck in a cycle every one to two years. I installed these Trakmotives Aug '24 and discovered today in May of '26. No telling when it first started.

This is an '09 Rogue and you can actually get TPE outers (on aftermarket axles) for AWD units but this is FWD. @The Critic I wanna know how your Trakmotive adventures hold up after a couple yearsView attachment 339648

My aftermarkets last longer than 2 years on average but less than 5.

 

[SC Maintenance]

I would offer that your shimmy is likely caused by uneven rotor wear due to lateral run out. Rust build up, bearing run out, etc.

Ford is famous for not putting retractor springs in the brake pads. Do yours have them? They typically look like a bent wire or small coat hanger that usually fit in a slot on the top and bottom of the pads - to pull them back when not being applied.

 

[D60]

My aftermarkets last longer than 2 years on average but less than 5.

LUCKY!!

 

[2strokeNorthstar]

LUCKY!!

Haha, never thought so. I do only drive 4-5k miles per year. The new warranty updates that exempt split boots means they know they are selling junk

 

[slacktide_bitog]

CTR is a good brand. They are Korean. Although Rock Auto doesn't carry CTR, Partsgeek has them at a fair price

 

[D60]

Haha, never thought so. I do only drive 4-5k miles per year. The new warranty updates that exempt split boots means they know they are selling junk

I'm returning this to RA for warranty replacement! I doubt they'll complain about the boot thing but I could be wrong. Will follow up (well....maybe -- if I remember)

 

[2strokeNorthstar]

I'm returning this to RA for warranty replacement! I doubt they'll complain about the boot thing but I could be wrong. Will follow up (well....maybe -- if I remember)

Usually not, I had someone on a power trip at the parts store but they ended up swapping it. Probably saw that I've owned my truck for like 17yrs and have had so many free exchanges.

 

[boom10ful]

I feel like this still needs to be said even though it should be common knowledge: once you install aftermarket CVs you're stuck in a cycle every one to two years. I installed these Trakmotives Aug '24 and discovered today in May of '26. No telling when it first started.

This is an '09 Rogue and you can actually get TPE outers (on aftermarket axles) for AWD units but this is FWD. @The Critic I wanna know how your Trakmotive adventures hold up after a couple yearsView attachment 339648

I'm actually to the point where I might 3d print boots out of TPU. I'll update when I actually do it lol. So far the radiator mounts I printed out are holding up very well!!

 

[nobb]

I'm actually to the point where I might 3d print boots out of TPU. I'll update when I actually do it lol. So far the radiator mounts I printed out are holding up very well!!

I would imagine a molded TPU boot that is also properly cured with heat is an entirely different bonding process than trying to 3D print it.

But yea the reason why 99% of aftermarket CV joints are junk is because they use neoprene boots.

 

[boom10ful]

I would imagine a molded TPU boot that is also properly cured with heat is an entirely different bonding process than trying to 3D print it.

But yea the reason why 99% of aftermarket CV joints are junk is because they use neoprene boots.

Probably, but so far I've found that it's flexible and strong enough that it'll most likely outlast all the neoprene boots.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

I should also mention that - while the car is waiting on parts, I still have to start it every day because the cloyes timing chain tensioners back off after a few days and it has terrible timing chain rattle on cold start. Another thing I need to fix.

 

[fat biker]

Bosch fuel module into my Crown Vic 80,000 miles ago.
OE part went 37,000 miles.
Bosch is my preferred brand for many categories.

 

[nascarnation]

I would imagine a molded TPU boot that is also properly cured with heat is an entirely different bonding process than trying to 3D print it.

But yea the reason why 99% of aftermarket CV joints are junk is because they use neoprene boots.

I think a LOT of the issues we're seeing in parts is low quality polymers from China/India/etc

 

[nobb]

I think a LOT of the issues we're seeing in parts is low quality polymers from China/India/etc

Country of origin is largely irrelevant now as a determination of parts quality since the science behind this stuff is well known. The problem is all mainstream CV axle manufacturers still insist on the cheaper 1980s neoprene technology, since they don't want to upgrade their tooling and they have to be price competitive. I'd take made in China TPU over American neoprene any day.

 

[Lubener]

Bosch fuel module into my Crown Vic 80,000 miles ago.
OE part went 37,000 miles.
Bosch is my preferred brand for many categories.

I think Bosch is the OEM .

 

[dfarr67]

Almost to the point of using tested used oem over whats available aftermarket. denso should make a pump for you tho.

 

[fat biker]

I think Bosch is the OEM .

Cannot be sure, based on comparative appearance, I don´t believe so.