I have a gripe. I needed a new right front axle. They Nissan part was $600 . The re-manufactured part was $150 (lifetime warranty) and a Nappa was $150 (3 year warranty). I went with the re-manufactured shaft. The genuine Nissan part is too expensive (IMHO) but the re-manufactured part does not work. It measured the same as the original, but the car would grab left to right when accelerating. Not very safe.

The mechanic took a $250 loss on the repair because he is a nice guy. He went the the dealer to get parts the second time. Pretty soon he will not want to work on this car anymore.

As a used car, it is getting too expensive to own (120,000 miles). I had the same problem with the fuel pump. An aftermarket pump could not perform as required. So the mechanic ate the difference and the labor to put in a Nissan pump. Don't even start about the fuel injectors.

What is it about parts. Why don't the aftermarket or re-manufactured parts perform well?

 

IMO you get what you pay for. Maybe it's the mechanic maybe you have the bad part bunch. When I had my axle change I payed for a remanned and it performs just as good. What fuel pump did you get and what fuel injectors? Just for a quick thought maybe your mechanic is eating what he screwed up. There are many people on this org that has OE aftermarket and remanned parts.

 

Could be. I know that garages try to maximize their profit by part shopping.

 

Hmmm, I've never had a problem with an axle not working as long as it was the correct one. only cheap quality boots on mine..

FYI, axles should be around $60 each w/ lifetime warranty, not $150.. you got skrood by your mechanic.

 

i have an aftermarket fuel pump that works fine and have 60$ autozone axles which also work fine

 

Yea both of my axles are re-manufactured and I never had a problem with them. I think your mechanic didn't get the correct one. I also have a walbro fuel pump, an aftermarket one and never have I had a problem with it. It could also just be bad luck.

 

Basically, I think you just have to be an informed consumer, and know what you are getting. Like knowing that there are different sizes of axles, etc... so that when someone tries to give you something wrong (either on purpose or honest mistake), you know BEFORE it gets installed. That's half the battle, IMO. I've learned that the hard way on several occasions, and when you are the mechanic yourself, it's you that "eats" the labor. Autozone has been known to have the wrong parts listed under the right part number for example..(as in power steering pressure hoses).

And I only buy parts at the dealer if I absolutely have to...cause I'm financially challenged. But a lot of guys make a good point about picking certain parts that they only buy at the dealer- like critical components- timing belts, internal engine parts, etc...and I would follow that logic as well.

 

Hey I had that problem one time with the car quest axels . The car would jerk back and forth and yes thats a ***** because if your not careful it will get away from you. Then after two axels from car quest I got one from nappa and it went away.

 

ISUConE said it in a nutshell!!

 

Overall length is NOT the 100% correct way to measure. If you have a VE 5-sp, you need the CV with the correctl length spline (part that goes into the tranny). Very easy to get the wrong one.

 

anyone missing the point that reman axles are OEM axles with a/m boots and sometimes new bearings. should be no differance besides cost, and i've had 4 so far( 2 sets on 2 cars)

 

I didn't. I stated that.

 

Thing is some cheap rebuilds use old bearing when they shouldn't. But other than that, I'd probably neve buy axles from Nissan. Raxles seem to be the way to go for quality and cost.

 

Rebuilt parts completely depend on the person doing it. I have a place that I use to get CV shafts/alternators/starters done and I have never had any problems with them or their work (even on upgraded alternators that they have done for the local Maxima club) however there's this other place that is local that some people have used for CV shafts and everyone that goes to them always complains within a year that the shaft is crap and needs replacement. Ask around, word of mouth is the best way to find a good rebuild shop.