I don't know about anyone else, but I've had it with cheap parts stores like Checker/Shucks/Krager stores. It used to be I could get remanufactured parts that would last as long as factory new parts. Lately, I've had nothing but failures from Checker. I had to replace my water pump again after only ten thousand miles on the one I got from Checker. What a pain. When I took it off and spun the impeller shaft it felt as rough and loose as one with 250,000 miles on it!

That's not even the half of it. I got two oil pumps from Checker and both of them failed. One had very low pressure and the other has a cracked housing so it leaks oil out of one of the bolt sleeves.

It's not over yet. Two months ago I took my brake rotors to Checker to have them cleaned up prior to a brake job on my 97 4runner. They screwed them up so bad, they felt like they had rotor run-out. They were perfectly smooth before. They just needed the ridges cut. How do you screw that up? So I had to buy new rotors.

I am done with them and all which are like them.

That's why I go to machine shops. You also have to check the step on flywheels when you exchange them, as some of them get kicked back out of tolerance.

On the 22Rxx oil pumps, one of the bolts gets sealant put on it when installed. Should be the one left/above the relief valve; it'll leak if you don't give 'er a dab.

On NAPA water pumps, the impellers are pretty wimpy. I just pulled a GMH pump off a block; the vanes very closely match the Aisin pumps. This is the first one I've seen.

FWIW, I've had an Aisin go only 20K on me before it started weeping; a first. That was about a year and a half ago.

This is why I also tell folks to get the following bench checked BEFORE they leave the parts store: alternator, battery load test, starter.

Can't always fix the box stores, but we can all become better consumers. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/baby.gif" alt="" />

I try to buy Toyota parts, but sometimes I just can't justify the 4X price. I had a very bad experience with a NAPA premium master cylinder, lasted less than 2 weeks, returned it paid the dealer's extreme price and 1yr later i'm still good. I do however, have a NAPA water pump on my 3.0 that I put on when I did the timing belt over a year ago. that still seems to be good... no leaks yet. It looks like very good quality. I'm also running a Autozone premium GM alternator on my 3.0. no probs yet. But I have had/hate dealing with non-dealer parts, but sometimes you just have to handle the snake carefully so you don't get bitten. I always check the part out before I buy it. the water pump from napa is their premium & seemed like very high quality, so i went with it. I personally only use Napa, Autzone or dealership parts. have to use good judgment from those 3 and a bit of luck. What I want to do is buy a back up alternator so when I do long road trips/wheeling trips if the Alt dies I can bolt on a known good one for a back up. Same goes for my starter... it's original. 135K/11yrs old. I might check Ebay. I won't touch Advance (discount) Auto for the life of me. They're bottom feeders in the parts world. I only use them for products, like PureOne oil filters, carb cleaner, etc. no actual parts. I also think places like NAPA have better quality parts for domestic cars..why I don't know. I just have had less problems with aftermarket parts for my 89 Vette than I have with buying for my 4runner/supra.

Yes, I'm with you. I've experienced the problems you describe. It seems like a crap shoot with some things. Batteries are a good example. I've gotten a few over the years from places like Kragen and Pep Boys and they are inconsistent in how long they last. The lifetime warranty thing on parts is great except that you have to keep the reciept someplace and then spend time removing/installing the new part, as well as the inconvenience of the failure. When I need an oil pump I'm going to go to the dealer or Napa. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

I have been noticing that when i go to NAPA the price of new vs price of remanufactured parts is verry close. I dont even bother with the remanufactured parts i just get the new and havent had any troubles at all with them...

I just priced injectors for my 4runner.Toyota wholesale price was $125.00 each and NAPA wholesale price was $160.00 each.I would check both places first as the aftermarket is not always the cheapest.I had the same thing happen with the O2 sensor.