Seriously Questioning Napa's Quality
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Originally Posted By: Miller88
They're switching tool suppliers? The 12 point 13mm socket I bought a while ago was made in the USA!
Yeah, that stuff is being cleared out. Those tools were made by Apex Tools, or more likely by Danaher before Danaher and Cooper merged their tool divisions to form Apex Tools. There were some other suppliers. The yellow and blue screwdrivers were made in Germany by Witte.
The new stuff is branded Carlyle and is all imported. Mostly from Taiwan, from what I've seen.
They're switching tool suppliers? The 12 point 13mm socket I bought a while ago was made in the USA!
Yeah, that stuff is being cleared out. Those tools were made by Apex Tools, or more likely by Danaher before Danaher and Cooper merged their tool divisions to form Apex Tools. There were some other suppliers. The yellow and blue screwdrivers were made in Germany by Witte.
The new stuff is branded Carlyle and is all imported. Mostly from Taiwan, from what I've seen.
Originally Posted By: Hootbro
What does no availability of tractor parts and higher prices at NAPA compared have anything to do with what I said?
My apologies for replying to your post. Please continue to look out for odd ball stuff as I guess this is the first thing on your mind and that is what you intend to purchase at an auto parts store.
What does no availability of tractor parts and higher prices at NAPA compared have anything to do with what I said?
My apologies for replying to your post. Please continue to look out for odd ball stuff as I guess this is the first thing on your mind and that is what you intend to purchase at an auto parts store.
As much as I'm probably gonna get flamed for this.. napa & carquest, while known for high quality, are nothing more than reboxers.
They make no parts, they source them out from wherever and stick their name on it. There's nothing special about a napa part, nor carquest.
I was told by a rep that napa branded plugs are made by champion and are the "b" plugs. they're ok, nothing beyond ok.
AC Delco, makes nothing for themselves, maybe packaging and reading materials.
But the name supercedes any potential quality issues.
Motorcraft o2 sensors are made by Bosch (at least all the ones I've seen). Bosch's o2 sensors are ok, they have longevity issues and lack of p/n for newer cars. But, as much as issues as people have with bosch, they'll buy the motorcraft over a Denso or NTK because it's a motorcraft. bosch doesn't make it any more special for Motorcraft.
the cheap chinese bearings, we have DTA the CRH, they work, and as for the price, I've only seen 2 hub assemblies come back in 3 years. I've seen more Timken's come back than anything else.
And Timken doesn't warranty anything. the jobber store eats the timken part. It goes into our metal recycling bin, we get a few bucks (literally) out of it and that comps for the loss of the timken warranty.
Every part is a gamble, it's just a luck of the draw that you got a good one.. I try to stay away from some of the import parts, but in the end, there's not always a viable choice.
They make no parts, they source them out from wherever and stick their name on it. There's nothing special about a napa part, nor carquest.
I was told by a rep that napa branded plugs are made by champion and are the "b" plugs. they're ok, nothing beyond ok.
AC Delco, makes nothing for themselves, maybe packaging and reading materials.
But the name supercedes any potential quality issues.
Motorcraft o2 sensors are made by Bosch (at least all the ones I've seen). Bosch's o2 sensors are ok, they have longevity issues and lack of p/n for newer cars. But, as much as issues as people have with bosch, they'll buy the motorcraft over a Denso or NTK because it's a motorcraft. bosch doesn't make it any more special for Motorcraft.
the cheap chinese bearings, we have DTA the CRH, they work, and as for the price, I've only seen 2 hub assemblies come back in 3 years. I've seen more Timken's come back than anything else.
And Timken doesn't warranty anything. the jobber store eats the timken part. It goes into our metal recycling bin, we get a few bucks (literally) out of it and that comps for the loss of the timken warranty.
Every part is a gamble, it's just a luck of the draw that you got a good one.. I try to stay away from some of the import parts, but in the end, there's not always a viable choice.
Originally Posted By: EricF
As much as I'm probably gonna get flamed for this.. napa & carquest, while known for high quality, are nothing more than reboxers.
They make no parts, they source them out from wherever and stick their name on it. There's nothing special about a napa part, nor carquest.
I was told by a rep that napa branded plugs are made by champion and are the "b" plugs. they're ok, nothing beyond ok.
AC Delco, makes nothing for themselves, maybe packaging and reading materials.
But the name supercedes any potential quality issues.
Motorcraft o2 sensors are made by Bosch (at least all the ones I've seen). Bosch's o2 sensors are ok, they have longevity issues and lack of p/n for newer cars. But, as much as issues as people have with bosch, they'll buy the motorcraft over a Denso or NTK because it's a motorcraft. bosch doesn't make it any more special for Motorcraft.
the cheap chinese bearings, we have DTA the CRH, they work, and as for the price, I've only seen 2 hub assemblies come back in 3 years. I've seen more Timken's come back than anything else.
And Timken doesn't warranty anything. the jobber store eats the timken part. It goes into our metal recycling bin, we get a few bucks (literally) out of it and that comps for the loss of the timken warranty.
Every part is a gamble, it's just a luck of the draw that you got a good one.. I try to stay away from some of the import parts, but in the end, there's not always a viable choice.
Well said..Very well said.
As much as I'm probably gonna get flamed for this.. napa & carquest, while known for high quality, are nothing more than reboxers.
They make no parts, they source them out from wherever and stick their name on it. There's nothing special about a napa part, nor carquest.
I was told by a rep that napa branded plugs are made by champion and are the "b" plugs. they're ok, nothing beyond ok.
AC Delco, makes nothing for themselves, maybe packaging and reading materials.
But the name supercedes any potential quality issues.
Motorcraft o2 sensors are made by Bosch (at least all the ones I've seen). Bosch's o2 sensors are ok, they have longevity issues and lack of p/n for newer cars. But, as much as issues as people have with bosch, they'll buy the motorcraft over a Denso or NTK because it's a motorcraft. bosch doesn't make it any more special for Motorcraft.
the cheap chinese bearings, we have DTA the CRH, they work, and as for the price, I've only seen 2 hub assemblies come back in 3 years. I've seen more Timken's come back than anything else.
And Timken doesn't warranty anything. the jobber store eats the timken part. It goes into our metal recycling bin, we get a few bucks (literally) out of it and that comps for the loss of the timken warranty.
Every part is a gamble, it's just a luck of the draw that you got a good one.. I try to stay away from some of the import parts, but in the end, there's not always a viable choice.
Well said..Very well said.
I like the Standard brand and 'sub' brands like Intermotor.
http://www.smpcorp.com/ROOT-Home/Content.aspx
I also can rely on Beck/Arnley 'usually' for Asian makes/models on some parts and save over OE.
Then again, a lot of times OE is about the only option.
http://www.smpcorp.com/ROOT-Home/Content.aspx
I also can rely on Beck/Arnley 'usually' for Asian makes/models on some parts and save over OE.
Then again, a lot of times OE is about the only option.
If possible I think its best to rebuild starters and alternators yourself. The rebuild kits are usually cheap and it allows you to totally rebuild it, instead of just replacing what broke, i.e. what most rebuild companies do.
Aftermarket parts are going downhill.
It seems that NAPA is not immune. Too bad. Sometimes I will pay top dollar for a sure thing - a known excellent part. but there are no sure things anymore.
It seems that NAPA is not immune. Too bad. Sometimes I will pay top dollar for a sure thing - a known excellent part. but there are no sure things anymore.
Used to buy parts from NAPA. When they started charging me NAPA prices for made in China parts I thought why bother?
OVERKILL
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Originally Posted By: mechtech2
Aftermarket parts are going downhill.
It seems that NAPA is not immune. Too bad. Sometimes I will pay top dollar for a sure thing - a known excellent part. but there are no sure things anymore.
It is the China effect.
Aftermarket parts are going downhill.
It seems that NAPA is not immune. Too bad. Sometimes I will pay top dollar for a sure thing - a known excellent part. but there are no sure things anymore.
It is the China effect.
Another thing to be carefull about is selling dual lines one on price and one is the premium part that alot of time a parts store doesn't sell much of the time because of price competition, so sometimes you got to ask which parts are available before you decide on buying a part. CarQuest has Wells ignition parts in most cases and in alot of Caps and Rotors they will have three grades of parts so it never hurts to ask what is available. As far as OE versus Aftermarket you just got to check around because I'll put up the Akebono Pro Act brake pads against anything an OE sells for all modes of brake pad performance, this is one product that does everything 100%.
I never thought NAPA parts were premium. Above average and better than AZ or AAP but not premium.
A few years back, I went through two NAPA alternators for my then Nissan Hardbody PU as the prevailing opinion was that NAPA parts were still better than the Vatozone stuff. Both failed just outside the 1 year warranty.
Slapped the Vatozone one on and was going strong 3+ years until I sold it.
Slapped the Vatozone one on and was going strong 3+ years until I sold it.
Friend I am in the same predicament. I have been purchasing parts for my pajero and learned the Mitsubishi OEM quality is outstanding. I'm leaning towards OEM, but it is alot of money. I am learning the Mitsu is much cheaper on the internet. I had a dealer offer me 20% off my order while purchasing $500.00 in parts.
I compared a Gates Water pump made in China from Napa to an OEM made in Japan. No comparison, but the water pump was fifty dollars extra. The OEM belts were a softer rubber. Just my 2cents
I compared a Gates Water pump made in China from Napa to an OEM made in Japan. No comparison, but the water pump was fifty dollars extra. The OEM belts were a softer rubber. Just my 2cents
I buy my parts from RockAuto or Amazon if I'm not in a hurry. RockAuto
has a large brand selection and I'll buy the USA made part if it's available.
has a large brand selection and I'll buy the USA made part if it's available.
Originally Posted By: Donald
I never thought NAPA parts were premium. Above average and better than AZ or AAP but not premium.
It depends on the parts.
I recently learned that NAPA's batteries out our way are now Dekas. I consider Deka batteries the best in the business. They're also very much a US company (made in PA), so I'm particularly happy to buy one.
I never thought NAPA parts were premium. Above average and better than AZ or AAP but not premium.
It depends on the parts.
I recently learned that NAPA's batteries out our way are now Dekas. I consider Deka batteries the best in the business. They're also very much a US company (made in PA), so I'm particularly happy to buy one.
Originally Posted By: Volvohead
Originally Posted By: Donald
I never thought NAPA parts were premium. Above average and better than AZ or AAP but not premium.
It depends on the parts.
I recently learned that NAPA's batteries out our way are now Dekas. I consider Deka batteries the best in the business. They're also very much a US company (made in PA), so I'm particularly happy to buy one.
+1 on the Deka's for car and garden tractor. Deka is the only battery that withstands the heat & vibration on my garden tractor. Our local Sears hardware is now selling Diehard Golds made by Deka instead of Johnson Controls. I was happy to see that and put one in my car.
Originally Posted By: Donald
I never thought NAPA parts were premium. Above average and better than AZ or AAP but not premium.
It depends on the parts.
I recently learned that NAPA's batteries out our way are now Dekas. I consider Deka batteries the best in the business. They're also very much a US company (made in PA), so I'm particularly happy to buy one.
+1 on the Deka's for car and garden tractor. Deka is the only battery that withstands the heat & vibration on my garden tractor. Our local Sears hardware is now selling Diehard Golds made by Deka instead of Johnson Controls. I was happy to see that and put one in my car.
Returned two hub/rotors, two calipers and brake pads today along with two non reusable spindle nuts today. First set of pads were truly unusable(replaced), one hub/rotor assembly failed (replaced), caliper failed and cooked other rotor.
Counter guys were great, parts were not.
Replaced with OEM stuff (NTN bearings).
Counter guys were great, parts were not.
Replaced with OEM stuff (NTN bearings).
Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
Originally Posted By: mechtech2
Aftermarket parts are going downhill.
It seems that NAPA is not immune. Too bad. Sometimes I will pay top dollar for a sure thing - a known excellent part. but there are no sure things anymore.
It is the China effect.
Some people have reported getting junk parts from MOOG, even MOOG stuff that isn't made in China.
Also, another problem I find is that some OEM parts are not made in China, but are so weak, they might as well be made in China.
Originally Posted By: mechtech2
Aftermarket parts are going downhill.
It seems that NAPA is not immune. Too bad. Sometimes I will pay top dollar for a sure thing - a known excellent part. but there are no sure things anymore.
It is the China effect.
Some people have reported getting junk parts from MOOG, even MOOG stuff that isn't made in China.
Also, another problem I find is that some OEM parts are not made in China, but are so weak, they might as well be made in China.
OVERKILL
$100 Site Donor 2021
Originally Posted By: artificialist
Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
Originally Posted By: mechtech2
Aftermarket parts are going downhill.
It seems that NAPA is not immune. Too bad. Sometimes I will pay top dollar for a sure thing - a known excellent part. but there are no sure things anymore.
It is the China effect.
Some people have reported getting junk parts from MOOG, even MOOG stuff that isn't made in China.
Also, another problem I find is that some OEM parts are not made in China, but are so weak, they might as well be made in China.
And this is also part of the China effect. Trying to compete with Chinese-sourced parts making formerly good brands a gamble and formerly good parts junk.
Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
Originally Posted By: mechtech2
Aftermarket parts are going downhill.
It seems that NAPA is not immune. Too bad. Sometimes I will pay top dollar for a sure thing - a known excellent part. but there are no sure things anymore.
It is the China effect.
Some people have reported getting junk parts from MOOG, even MOOG stuff that isn't made in China.
Also, another problem I find is that some OEM parts are not made in China, but are so weak, they might as well be made in China.
And this is also part of the China effect. Trying to compete with Chinese-sourced parts making formerly good brands a gamble and formerly good parts junk.
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