Dorman VS ACDelco VS Duralast VS NAPA VS?????????

[TollKeeper]

Mods.. I wasnt really sure where this thread belonged. So I placed it here, as it seemed a reasonable compromise until it can be placed into a correct forum..

This thread came to mind today, when I had a SRS code pop up, and checking local availability for a impact sensor is high, but only on the aftermarket...
Lets face it, some of our trucks are getting aged, and OEM parts are falling off the market.

So generally speaking, we have staved off from Dorman parts, for lack of part reliability, and other items.
In my particular case, reading reviews, its been about 75% positive for a impact sensor, and 25% Negative.

I know I was reading a thread today where someone replaced a SRS sensor, and when he plugged it in, another code came on for another sensor. I think it was a Dorman.
Yesterday was reading a thread about power steering boxes, and how red hat (maybe blue hat) were not great, Duralast was sloppy, and ended up getting a used unit

But what about other brands

I think this is a good thread to have, because not everyone can afford a ACDelco part, or is not an option as no stock is around.
True, eBay is always an option, but what if its needed today, so I can go to work tomorrow?

For example, the Z55/Z95 Air Compressor is a common problem. Arnott has not been a good option with a high failure rate.
But Dorman is supposed to be really good here, which goes against the status quo.

So why not have a thread, highlighting the aftermarket parts options, both in a positive light, or negative.

So I will start with what I think should be the idea?

Application: 2006 Escalade 6.0
Advance Auto Parts
Alternator part #11075A (160amp, remanufactured, Lifetime)
185 dollars
First one failed in 6 hours, and melted
Second one has been good

Is this a good idea?

 

[Bill 1960]

The challenge I think, is keeping up with what is current information, because the parts makers, and parts vendors, are continually shopping each other. It’s very complex, too, because vendors sell multiple grades of parts. ACD for instance has at least 3 levels of quality. NAPA is indecipherable for me insofar as the quality difference between different offerings.

Online reviews are helpful; I like to sort them where possible and look at the most recent. On some platforms I have seen what appear to be fake reviews or paid reviewers gaming the system.

For me one of the best resources are forums just like this one, where we can access crowd-sourced expertise.

 

[TollKeeper]

Going to add to this.

Air-Bag Impact Sensor
Dorman- 590-200
Opened the box, and it was a GM OEM part # 10370149

 

[alpha_omega]

Also remember there are different levels of ACDelco just like there are other brands.

ACDelco OEM - is what came on the vehicle unless it’s a part built by GM in which case it’s GM OEM.

ACDelco Pro - is the premium line as far as OEM standards/specs but is an aftermarket product.

ACDelco Advantage/Gold - their cheaper lower end aftermarket products.

*also, take note that a lot of knock-off fake ACDelco products are being sold on Amazon and eBay. So be mindful of where the product comes from, and look for p/n’s when you get them.

The big difference in what you’re asking is going to be the country of origin, the quality of the materials used in the product, the QC before it’s shipped out and how long the product will last (10k vs 100k). There also is a warranty associated with that but after a certain age/mileage some guys don’t care how long the product will last, just so long as it outlasts the length they will be driving it.


If you do buy Duralast, make sure you buy their “Duralast Gold” line and keep your receipt. Their other line of products don’t have a warranty worth a damn. I’ve seen guys have better luck with D-Gold than Napa products, but that could just be product specific as well. Personally, Napa is in the same boat as Dorman.
If it’s a part that you want to work properly, buy OEM. If you can’t afford that at the time, then at least get something with a good warranty so you’re not buying and spending the time replacing the product two or three times vs just once.

 

[blueinkd]

Going to add to this.

Air-Bag Impact Sensor
Dorman- 590-200
Opened the box, and it was a GM OEM part # 10370149

Very common these days.
Bottom line it comes down to how hard of a job it's for me. I'm willing to pay the extra bucks for an OEM part over aftermarket. I have sold parts for a living for the last 12 years and it's all over the place with quality and what's inside the box.

Generally you can expect higher quality standards from OEM brands from Tier 1 suppliers. But as someone noted, even they have different options and flavors these days. Every case is going to be different and now I'm rambling. Buy the best you can afford and consider the cost of failure and redoing the job twice. Even OEM parts fail out of the box, on rare occasions. Installer error and incorrect diag is also problematic.

 

[PNWYukon]

Application: 2005 Tahoe w/electric fans
Advance Auto Parts
Radiator part #432298 (CarQuest Premium Radiator, Limited Lifetime)
$208.99
Original one split near the top, this one has been good so far.

 

[OR VietVet]

IMO, as I did in my build thread, I see the advantage of all the Genuine GM/AC Delco OEM and Pro parts that I used exclusively on my rig. It cost me more but I had absolutely "ZERO" problems with fit and dependability. I only want to do it once and that stuck with me for 30+ years in the shops I was in. I understand if availability creates a problem but if that is not the case, I choose the best parts, always.

 

[tom3]

Kind of disappointing to see this though:

 

[Doubeleive]

The challenge I think, is keeping up with what is current information, because the parts makers, and parts vendors, are continually shopping each other. It’s very complex, too, because vendors sell multiple grades of parts. ACD for instance has at least 3 levels of quality. NAPA is indecipherable for me insofar as the quality difference between different offerings.

Online reviews are helpful; I like to sort them where possible and look at the most recent. On some platforms I have seen what appear to be fake reviews or paid reviewers gaming the system.

For me one of the best resources are forums just like this one, where we can access crowd-sourced expertise.

mevotech does the same thing they have 3 levels of parts for the same application

 

[TollKeeper]

DetroitAxle
Ordered a "kit" to replace everything on my front suspension, minus struts, on my Envoy XUV
Upper Ball Joints failed in less than 13k miles. Rest of the kit seems to be going ok. But the way the boots are mushrooming out, I have a feeling the taper may be wrong for the tie rods and lower ball joints.

Advanced Auto Parts
Got a CarQuest uni-strut to replace the ones on my Envoy XUV. Its a long base, and the spring rates that came with the uni-strut are for short wheel base. Obviously this isnt going to work since a long wheel base is heavier, in my case by 1500lbs. Bottomed out everytime I hit a small bump in the road. Replaced with used OEM springs, and OEM Bilstein struts, problem went away, and the ride was MUCH better.

 

[B-train]

So here's what I've learned.....ACDelco is not OE parts quality. Detroit axle isn't either just off reviews I've read. Carquest can be hit or miss depending on which part it is. NAPA for the most part seems to have decent stuff, but unfortunately they are owned by Raybestos and have cousins at acdelco, car quest, and others in the brake and suspension world.

Anymore I buy GM OE parts unless I can verify the aftermarket is as good or better. Sometime that does work, but not always.

Example: AC Delco upper control arms on a 2007 Denali. I bought them young and dumb 'AC Delco is GM, so it's no problem ' WRONG! Originals lasted 160K, AC Delco bought on Amazon lasted 23k and failed. I was able to warranty them with some effort, but still, what a PITA.

 

[MassHoe04]

Kind of disappointing to see this though:

View attachment 354017

I am not surprised.
There is still a very good chance the very part installed in the factory came from the same place... There was no way every component used by GM at time of manufacture came from within the US. Global sourcing was a thing, even back in the early 2000's.

I would bet a dollar a NOS original part off a dusty old dealer's shelve is the same exact thing.
I could be wrong, but I don't think I would have any real expectation for most anything electrical recently used (in the last 40 years) by auto manufacturers to be sourced from the US.

 

[TollKeeper]

SKF U-Joint from Oriellys failed in 70 miles! And yes, it was installed correctly!

 

[OR VietVet]

I am a fan of either Genuine GM or Dana Spicer u-joints.

 

[Thrust]

SKF U-Joint from Oriellys failed in 70 miles! And yes, it was installed correctly!

I had a voltage regulator from O'Reillys that failed after install. They about wouldn't give me my money back because it was an electrical part. Didn't shop at O'Reilly for a long time after that.

 

[OR VietVet]

It is pretty common for parts stores not to warranty an electrical part when there is a very quick return. They figure the buyer was unsure of the diagnosis and just wanted a "known" good part to plug in to see what happens. What they usually do is easily do a swap out for another part but no money back. Gotta say, I can't really blame them.

I have heard of shadetree guys have a newer vehicle that they cannot figure out and then rent a vehicle to swap a part out on and then hope it fixes the problem.

 

[Thrust]

Well, after replacing the voltage regulator and the battery still draining down, I took the car to a shop which promptly told me the voltage regulator was bad. So lucky for me I had a receipt from them showing what they had to replace. Help my case with OReillys in getting the part refunded.