Parts Quality Rant

[LongBox]

Yesterday, I went out and bought a lighter, a wiper switch knob, and a new headlight switch knob and shaft, and I installed them.

Now, these parts are described as "reproductions". So, if some company decides to "reproduce" a part, why don't they make it an EXACT reproduction? The headlight knob is a slightly different shape than the original, and it stands out a little bit farther from the dash panel. Not terrible, but why didn't they make it right?? The wiper knob looks better, but it's not exactly right either, as it doesn't seem to go on to the shaft quite as far as the original. Again, that makes it stand out a bit.

This is not rocket science. These knobs and other small parts could be made exactly right by using a scanner and 3D printer, with great results.

Hope I'm not the only guy who feels this way on this subject, and thanks for reading this.

[ratty69]

You're not alone.

Just went through this with some heater cables. They were too long and would require modding the heater box to fit. If your parts aren't EXACT duplicates/require mods to fit, be upfront about it and let the customer decide. Sometimes people will accept the work required, sometimes not. Depends on the person/situation.

I know I will be wary of that manufacturer in the future...

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Wouldn't surprise me if all cosmetics differ. Costs money to do a match with equal or better quality. We're at the mercy of a global market and lots of junk.

[special-K]

It's only reproduction when it's the same. Everything else is "replacement"...or in other words, close enough to work.

[LongBox]

Originally Posted by special-K

It's only reproduction when it's the same. Everything else is "replacement"...or in other words, close enough to work.

Right, but if some company is going to go to the trouble to make the part, why not make it right?

one problem is that it is often impossible to know what company made the part, as multiple sellers sell the same part, and package it with their own part number.

On the positive side, the parts I got are not terrible, just not exact, and I suppose I should be glad I could get any at all, as our trucks are not very common in the boneyards anymore.

[jeffahart]

Some real crap out there. When I watch some of these car shows where they get big boxes filled with these crap parts I just think wow, they must be getting ready for fertilize their lawn! But sometime it's dog crap or nothing.

But to the point, yes it is rocket science... toy rockets.... from China... you know, the ones that don't work!!!

[toolboxchev]

I too have seen the same thing, with most coming from Large Retailers. I currently have a beef with the biggest name in the business.

Check everything before install, I now buy parts from multiple sources and return the unused JUNK!

[special-K]

I ask the same thing. Is it lack of ability or just don't care? I can't think of any other reason to make something almost the same, unless the almost makes it better than back then. My point is they are downright deceiving us when a part is sold as reproduction when it is actually replacement. You go to a GM parts counter and they may habd you a completely different part that from a later year that "will work". I understand this because they made the vehicle, the original part is depleted, and the newer part will keep you rolling. That is their concern. They are not a restoration service, they are simply helping owners of their vehicles stay on the road, just like all the non-factory parts houses. These are all replacement parts, even OEM.

I remember getting all excited when my GM parts guy told me steering wheels were available for 69-72s, but only in black. Made sense since vans continued using these post-72, but only in black. Well, the part comes in and it's a later steering wheel. My dreams were crushed, but it was a steering wheel that fit right on and would steering my truck just as well as the original style.

[Already Gone]

Now you know why people pay good money for used original parts and our parts board is very active even for small items.

[67ChevyRedneck]

And if the issue is "it's made in China"... well that argument doesn't really hold water either, because if they can copy an entire damn truck... they can copy a little bitty headlight switch!

[67ChevyRedneck]

Originally Posted by Already Gone

Now you know why people pay good money for used original parts and our parts board is very active even for small items.

Yup. I know I can run out and buy brand new 1967 bedsides, but I've seen them up close, fondled them, etc... and side by side, they look similar, but they just don't have the same look. Will they do the job and fool 98% of people walking by? Yeah, but I'm that 2% wasting hours of my time saving an original shortbed set with OEM longbed parts... The wheel wells were the worst, the rest was solid, just a couple small holes in the usual corners.

[GASoline71]

Exactly ^^^

Was just gonna say... wait till you start buying body parts and patch panels.

However I will say that the aftermarket outer cab floor extensions I installed in the cab of my truck were the bees knees. They include the inner rocker and go inboard along the floor about 4", and extend from the front pinch weld in the toe boards to the rear of the cab. Excellent aftermarket product! No more piecing together 4 different panels to do one job anymore.

Gary

[leddzepp]

The consumer has spoken and price is king.

[truckster]

The last genuine GM part I bought (AC hose for my 95 Z28) was made in China. You can't even get OEM parts that are OEM anymore.

[jeffahart]

Originally Posted by 67ChevyRedneck

And if the issue is "it's made in China"... well that argument doesn't really hold water either, because if they can copy an entire damn truck... they can copy a little bitty headlight switch!

Well, that is true, anyone can make good parts or bad parts. I use the word "China" kind of euphemistically for a whole process these days. And it's the process of getting quick and cheap items where quality control is not really built into the process. It's an after thought to be addressed after x number of complaints or returns.

Anyone of us could start using the China manufacturing process to start manufacturing and selling small parts for our trucks with just a few bucks outlaid. The only hard part of the process is not caring what your customers are actually receiving. The person who can do that becomes the low price leader.

Ledzepp is right, the customer has spoken! And the "China" process will continue to reign king.

[toolboxchev]

Originally Posted by jeffahart

Well, that is true, anyone can make good parts or bad parts. I use the word "China" kind of euphemistically for a whole process these days. And it's the process of getting quick and cheap items where quality control is not really built into the process. It's an after thought to be addressed after x number of complaints or returns.

Anyone of us could start using the China manufacturing process to start manufacturing and selling small parts for our trucks with just a few bucks outlaid. The only hard part of the process is not caring what your customers are actually receiving. The person who can do that becomes the low price leader.

Ledzepp is right, the customer has spoken! And the "China" process will continue to reign king.

What the funny part about that is when you have to return them, most online retailers wont even pay for the shipping back. I am not paying for shipping twice, and the online guys agree, JUST KEEP IT, OR THROW IT OUT.

We are paying for that in the price of the part. YIKES!

I will support American Made most all of the time. It supports an American working even if the part is seldom wrongy!

[chewychevy67]

In my 67 build I will go out of my way to find original rebuildable parts, pay the price and not complain about it. the only parts I bought after market were a full floor replacement and new 67 short besides from wes and I thought that they were very nice. I was very surprised as everything i have tried in the past was not up to my standards. I do prefer original parts if at all possable.

[special-K]

Not every reproduction part is bad, but OEM used is always right