Just wondering if there is a known “list” of parts that should never be replaced with anything other than Toyota OEM parts.
My axle boot is ripped and I’m preparing to pay for a new front left axle. I see non-OEM parts for under $100, while OEM is over $500.
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I would not use cheap brake pads. Axle boot kits is fine I guess if you don’t take the cheapest Chinese junk
Cheap brake pads, oxygen sensors, knock sensors, tpms sensors, maf sensors, duralast alternators
I work in Toyota parts and these are the most common comebacks for parts
Just curious about what’s wrong with Duralast alternators, I have one in my 09 Corolla
Haha, not for long
Ah, longevity?
Any sensor or electronic component for sure, get whatever was OEM, doesn’t necessarily have to be from Toyota, but a Denso, NGK, etc.
Ehh it’s a hit or a miss- I’ve seen aftermarket denso o2 sensors fail
Seriously the tpsm sensors?
Our techs refuse to use aftermarket tpms sensors cause of constant comebacks
Vital drivetrain components are a no-go with aftermarket. Stay OEM with those.
If you buy a non-OEM axle, you’ll get non-OEM axle service life and ride quality.
On my car, I would never use aftermarket parts for:
- Load bearing suspension parts (struts, ball joints, control arms, etc) because they affect ride quality.
- Major engine components or accessories, new or remanufactured (heads, pistons, cams, VVTI, water pump, or alternator) because I don’t trust the service live and because they can cause major damage to other components if they fail catastrophically.
- Major body components (glass, bumpers, paint)
Things I would use quality aftermarket for:
- Oil
- Filters (oil, intake, and cabin)
- Drive belts
- Consumables (light bulbs, fuses)
- Things that are unlikely to cause major damage if they fail or aren’t perfect (head or tail light lenses, covers, body clips, floor mats)
If you go aftermarket, go quality. Don’t buy the cheapest and expect it to match Toyota quality and don’t buy the most expensive and expect a miracle.
Beware of counterfeit parts if you buy OEM online. They’re getting popular with scammers. Never trust Amazon reviewers.
Its not “never ok”, but I would personally never get an aftermarket gas cap. Thats one thing that when trying to resolve an evap leak I never trust a 3rd party to manufactor to spec and last as long as the OEM cap. Dont want to waste money on a 3rd party gas cap when yours went bad, have it not seal right and then have to spend more money trying to figure out that the cap is still the source of the leak 🤷♂️ most other things I dont think are that big a deal
Timing components on interference engines
It’s funny because over 5 years of Camry ownership I’ve never seen anyone claim you needed OEM anything. I have a Saab now and there’s a consensus among the community that for spark plugs if it’s not NGK it won’t run correctly. I was under the impression that’s another reason to pick the Japanese brands (and the Detroit big three to a lesser extent) over anything euro
Lower ball joints, at least on their 4wd models.
02 sensors and cats. Also trans fluid if using WS.
Electric sensors, you don’t need OEM, just get the Denso counterpart without Toyota branding.
Toyota owns Denso.
Pretty much anything that is a sensor and/ or emissions related.
generally speaking gaskets. Unless the one I need is out of stock and wont be back any time soon I’ll stick to OEM.
Just replace the boot. Do not replace the axle unless it’s bad.