Aftermarket Parts, Where CRAP Is King Options

[914Sixer]

In an age of laser scanning and parts made to absolute tolerance, why are parts like this showing up? I received some tail light lenses from my German supplier. They were SUPPOSED to made by Hella with no markings. I have no clue why the parts were never checked against the original one. The corner bend is no where close and off by about 1/2". I am out $$$ om this deal. Posting pictures to show what I am talking about. Euro lens is the aftermarket.

[Mikey914]

Id think. Its the later of the 2. You really can't easily remove tool marks.

[Superhawk996]

Id think. Its the later of the 2. You really can't easily remove tool marks.

Insert. Just costs more for the tool upfront. I've seen OEM Tier 1 suppliers do it my whole career.

Here's a dirtly little secret of the tire industry. OEM's have spec's on tires that are very hard to meet. It often involves measuring tires on-line and sorting. The best go to the OEM's that are paying a premium for sorted tires.

The others go into the aftermarket or to another OEM willing to accept a slightly lower specification. It's not that they are "bad" or unsafe. They just don't meet OEM spec's.

The first set of tires you get on a car are likely to be the best set, even if you later turn around and buy the same exact tires, same DOT code out of the aftermarket.

Tires are only one example where aftermarket service parts are not equal to OEM.

[mepstein]

Id think. Its the later of the 2. You really can't easily remove tool marks.

Insert. Just costs more for the tool upfront. I've seen OEM Tier 1 suppliers do it my whole career.

Here's a dirtly little secret of the tire industry. OEM's have spec's on tires that are very hard to meet. It often involves measuring tires on-line and sorting. The best go to the OEM's that are paying a premium for sorted tires.

The others go into the aftermarket or to another OEM willing to accept a slightly lower specification. It's not that they are "bad" or unsafe. They just don't meet OEM spec's.

The first set of tires you get on a car are likely to be the best set, even if you later turn around and buy the same exact tires, same DOT code out of the aftermarket.

Tires are only one example where aftermarket service parts are not equal to OEM.

I know you said that before but every time I buy a car I can’t wait for the original tires to wear out so I can get a good set.

[Superhawk996]

I know you said that before but every time I buy a car I can’t wait for the original tires to wear out so I can get a good set.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

All depends on the defintion of a good tire.

In my case I'm talking about properties like balance, roundness, and radial harmonics that tend to exite other components, noises, or vibrations at particular speeds. Usually talking about ride quality of a particular tire.

There is always a compromise in tires. Ride vs. Steering Precision. Noise vs. Fuel Economy. Any of the above vs. cost. Wet traction vs. Dry traction. Wet vs. Snow.

Tires are a PITA.

So yes, it is entirely posible to switch from once tire to another that has a better attribute balance that suits your personal preferences. However, to gain what you like, you're likely giving up something else.

The other thing that clouds judgement is time. By the time you get rid of them you may not fully remember what you really started with and by then other aspects of your suspension have changed due to wear (bushings change, dampers loosen up, springs get a smidge of sag, etc.

Evaluation of tire A vs. tire B can be hard enough back to back with only the minutes required to do a tire change between evaluations. Doing that months or years apart and being able to do it in a repeatable blind evaluation is a marketable skill that few can do.