Parts frustration

[dgrinnan]

I know it comes with the territory, over priced after market parts when you are dealing with a 75 year old vehicle but I was a little caught off guard.  First, instead of the Chinese brand I decided to spend a littel more and get some good ole American based parts.  I knew some of the manufactoring had moved to Mexico but at least it was still North America.  I am referring to Raybesto.  The name has been around for years so I assumed a certain level of quality. I ordered new wheel cylinders for my 47 1/2 ton.  Imagine my shock when I received them and there was a sticker right on the side of the wheel cylinders that said "Made in China".  At this point I was stuck.  I already had them after waiting over a week and most places did not have them in stock.  I went ahead and installed them.  Here is the next kicker.  After they were installed I was bleeding the system.  The bleeder valve on a wheel cylinder for a 1947 Dodge was metric.  After a few choice words I had to wiggle and roll to get my ass out from under the truck which was a major choir to get under so I could go to the tool box for a metric wrench.

[Dodgeb4ya]

Most everything made now for the old cars is Chinese...and none of it is of very good quality.

These chinese parts are mostly made to help parts venders and the importers make a very nice profit.

The end user ends up with low quality parts.

Edited October 9, 2022 by Dodgeb4ya

[dgrinnan]

A friend has a 1972 Chevy El Camino.  He was at a car show when people started hearing loud pops.  It sounded like someone was throwing rocks against his doors. He did an inspection and could not find anything.  Later, more of the same.  It was not until he was getting into his El Camino that he discovered the popping noise was the Chinese hinge bolts braking from the weight of his doors.  He opened his driver side door and it literally came off in his hand.  

[dgrinnan]

I have another example.  My friend has a 1963 Ford PU.  His rear wheel cylinder failed and he needed to replace it.  He went to the local auto parts chain store and they had one in stock for his 63 Ford.  He went home, installed and long story short, the brand new out of the box Chinese wheel cylinder leaked. He went to a different regional auto parts chain and purchased a different brand wheel cylinder.  It install without incident.