We all are looking to shave a buck or three on our parts budget. When shopping, we want the best parts for the buck.

That usually leads us to savor OEM parts and online prices/wholesalers. They're found here, on ebay, etc.

And certain reliable "brand names" (Scan Tech, for example)

or countries of origin (German-made)

I am having lots of trouble lately.

Consider:

Two front strut replacement jobs, including upper strut bearings (Scan-Tech) on each. (acquired from www.alloem.com / thepartsbin.com)

On *three out of four* (!) upper strut bearings, I had at least one of the top bolts dislodge from the top plate! These are the three bolts that fit through the top of the strut tower. They are press-fitted into the top plate. If you bang them on the underside of the tower while swinging the strut assembly back into the tower, the stud bereaks loose and falls onto the top plate of the spring.

Do you know how hard it is to retrieve that stud and stick it back into the bearing plate?

And the plate gets deformed arounf that stud's dole, so it will not stay in the hole as you try to raise the strut awwembly (heavy) into the tower and guide the bolts through it!!!!

Another Item: "German-made" outter tie rods. (from www.gapa.com -- also sold by www.fcpgroton & www.alloem.com/thepartsbin)

Grease boot top retaining ring slips off! Won't stay even with your refitting it. Some grease is lost. Weatherproofing & longevity is compromised. I have read of other guys receiving new tie rod ends with no grease in them! ALWAYS check.

Third problem: Lost test port plug from aftermarket (generic) Catalytic Converter! (from www.fcpgroton.com)

Non-standard thread size, too! Stupid thing just rattled out within 10 miles after installing the cat.

Can't remamber the maker's name, but I have their warranty registration card. Massachusettes company, I believe. First sign of trouble was the crude way they cut away part of the heat shield to weld in a test port. Looks like it was an afterthought. They'll get a few of my thoughts.....

Is it looking to you like these low-cost suppliers are dealing inferior-quality parts?

These is the kind of problem parts I'd expect to get fro the local chain discount parts house. (and I did get some bad remanufactured brake calipers lately)

As a DIy'er, I have limited time and energy to get my repl=airs done. Done right and the first time. Inferior parts are causing me both time and money (running around getting better replacements at higher prices).

I'm fed up!

Buyer beware.

Anyone else having this experience?