Jump to content

  • Welcome to Auto Parts Forum

    Whether you are a veteran automotive parts guru or just someone looking for some quick auto parts advice, register today and start a new topic in our forum. Registration is free and you can even sign up with social network platforms such as Facebook, X, and LinkedIn. 

     

Recommended Posts

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

  • Similar Content

  • Similar Topics

    • By Athrelle
      I recently ordered some OEM parts from link hidden, please login to view, and I was really happy with the whole experience. Their website is well-organized, making it easy to find the exact parts I needed for my Subaru. The prices were competitive compared to other sites I checked, and they had items in stock that I couldn’t find elsewhere.
      Shipping was faster than expected, and everything arrived well-packaged and in perfect condition. The parts were exactly as described, and I had no issues with fitment. Overall, it was a hassle-free experience, and I’ll definitely be ordering from them again in the future. If you’re looking for genuine Subaru parts, they’re worth checking out!
    • By Athrelle
      Just wanted to share my positive experience with
      link hidden, please login to view. I recently ordered some OEM parts for my Subaru, and the whole process was smooth. Their website was easy to navigate, prices were reasonable, and shipping was quicker than expected. Everything arrived well-packaged and exactly as described. Definitely bookmarking them for future orders! Let me know if you'd like any tweaks! 🚗

    • By Counterman
      The three “F”s may sound like a report card we wanted to hide from our parents, but in our industry, they refer to form, fit and function. They are the cornerstones of quality in the aftermarket, and heavily referenced when describing your product offerings. From an engineering standpoint, they are critical considerations when producing an aftermarket component designed to duplicate (or upgrade) an OEM design.
      Form refers to dimensional and material specifications, and affects the look, feel and even weight of a component. In some enthusiast circles, finish may also be an important consideration. Form is critical for identification, as well as perception of quality.
      Fit allows a part to be attached to other components or work in harmony with other parts in a subassembly or system. Fine tolerances are often critical to proper fitment between two or more parts, and fit often follows form from a design and engineering standpoint.
      Function is the ability of the product to perform the intended duties of the original design, and may also include considerations of durability and longevity. In most cases, function is the ultimate goal of a replacement part, with fit and form contributing to this functionality.
      In many cases, the form, fit and function of an aftermarket part is an exact duplicate of its OEM counterpart. For some components, patent or licensing considerations may prevent an aftermarket provider from creating exact replicas of certain components. When these legal limitations prevent a reputable company from reproducing a design, modifications to the form (which do not affect fit and function) can often allow a manufacturer to produce a suitable replacement. This is not to say that “knockoff” parts are suitable replacements for aftermarket or OEM offerings. The vague or intentionally deceptive origins of gray market and counterfeit parts are a problem for everyone from the supplier to the end user, and undermines the intellectual property rights of both OEM and aftermarket manufacturers. 
      Beauty is only skin deep, and it’s often what you can’t see that makes the difference between a great part and a potential failure. This is most obvious with counterfeit parts, where the form is often the only aspect of the product that matches the original. The use of inferior materials or other cost-cutting measures make reliability and durability a gamble when compared to the genuine article. When it comes to labor-intensive repair parts like a rear main seal, or safety items like brake parts, the fit, form and function are all critical aspects of the manufacturing process. For others, fit and function are enough to get the job done, especially if the form represents an enhancement to the original design, or an upgrade in performance and durability.
      I recently replaced a window motor on my personal vehicle, using a national aftermarket brand. In addition to the new motor were a half-dozen plug-and-play jumper wire adapters, allowing this single SKU to fit multiple applications. While the form was slightly different than the OEM or another brand’s reman offering, the fit and function were excellent, and that single SKU replaces five other units on my store’s shelving. It was a win for me both professionally and personally!
      Sometimes, the OEM doesn’t get a design quite right, and the aftermarket sees an opportunity to upgrade a flawed or poorly-conceived part. The increased use of plastics in parts design has led to a few notorious failures. In the late 1990s, we began to see repeated failures of sway bar links on the Ford Taurus. We collectively shook our heads at the OEM plastic design, and replaced them with aftermarket steel links. As these vehicles aged out of the market, it became one of those “remember when?” stories passed to new counterpeople…. until Chrysler inexplicably duplicated the design for its Jeep Renegade and Compass models! The aftermarket came to the rescue once again, and now, even the OEM has upgraded its original plastic links to a steel design.
      One of the greatest advantages we have over the OEM is our diversity. With hundreds of aftermarket manufacturers creating (or re-creating) replacement parts, the potential for innovation and the sheer number of resources at our disposal gives us more options than those offered by the OEM. Our adaptability and willingness to work outside the confines of an OEM catalog also give us the freedom to find creative or unorthodox solutions to our customers’ problems.
      The post
      link hidden, please login to view appeared first on link hidden, please login to view.
      link hidden, please login to view
    • By OReilly Auto Parts
      How To: Change the Taillight Bulbs In a 2010 to 2014 Subaru Outback
    • By Dorman Products
      Affordable fix for Subaru transmission lockup solenoid | Dorman OE FIX 926-408

×
  • Create New...