NAPA vs GM parts

It's been years since I purchased from Napa but I always remember them selling decent quality stuff. At that price difference, I wouldn't think twice about buying them there. You can always ask to see them first just to make sure they aren't flimsy Chinese junk.

Scott

 

I have always found Napa parts to be good replacements. The truck I drove in high school may have had more Napa parts in it than originals.

 

Napa has always done good with parts..some also can make custom hoses, lines if they have the proper fittings or you provide them...

 

Check! The napa part could be a generic copy from china of the GM part. Ask a quality independant parts store if the oil lines exist as "oem replacement parts" from the original equipment manufacturer since they seem so common. In other words lets say sachs makes the shocks for your corvette. You buy GM get highest price. You buy from quality autoparts get the same Sachs shocks not in GM box for less. You buy a napa shock that "fits" and it is way less.

 

I have used both at my shop. Dorman is most likely the supplier to NAPA. GM trucks especially S10s with the remote oil filter seem to go thru these at a very rapid rate. Usually the leaks are around the crimped steel to rubber portion. Over time they too will begin to leak...

 

Here is another thing.

The part could very well have a warranty, and in some cases a limited lifetime warranty.

A few years ago a front wheel bearing on my Expedition went bad. Bought an after market bearing from Autozone that came with a 1 year warranty. After about 10 months the new bearing started going bad. Removed it, took it back, and got a brand new one free of charge. The new one has been in now for a couple of years with no issues.

I have bought plenty of parts with lifetime warranties, most of which I haven't had to use, but the times I have it has been without question, and have always gotten a replacement part free of charge.
Now had I bought that bearing from a Ford dealer it would not have come with a parts warranty. Be it from NAPA, O'Reilly, Autozone, Pep Boys, or Car Quest, you can get a parts warranty that you will not get from the dealer.

My opinion is buy the hose from NAPA.

 

You can usually find a variety of replacement parts at Rockauto. Typically they specify where the part is made.

 

I've used NAPA parts on a bunch of cars over the years, and generally found them to be at least as good as most OEM parts and a whole heck of a lot cheaper. I've also order things from Rockauto.com and been very satisfied with their stuff as well.

One thought on the oil lines -- if the hoses keep failing, consider going to a place that makes up hydraulic hoses for heavy equipment. Generally, the fittings are probably standard size, and if you take the hoses you are replacing to a shop, they can make up custom hoses for you that will be much sturdier and will likely last a lot longer. Just a suggestion.

 

If the GM hose is leaking, how good can the quality really be? Did it do an off road marathon? It may be the OEM part was originally sourced in China. It may also be the NAPA part is sourced in China.

Bill

 

I had a 93 Caprice with the same issue. Purchased factory part but it wasn't a perfect fit, various parts had been superseeded. We made it work and it lasted the 30K miles I had the car.

I was purchasing GM as I was getting parts near cost at that time.

 

I like NAPA. I have even found parts for my Boxer and various vintage motorcycles there that I could not find anywhere else.

 

I've never had any problems with NAPA parts though now I use Rockauto for most everything on the DDs.

 

I use NAPA so often that they have my cars memorized; parts are always good quality and always the right ones (they always fit).