Carquest parts
 

I just bought the 1992 Chevy K3500 (1-ton pickup) that we discussed in another thread. I need to get a new clutch disk, pressure plate, and throw-out bearing for it. Is there any reason for or against getting those parts from Carquest? I like the guys who run the Carquest near where I work, but I want to get quality parts.

I called the Chevy dealer and the local NAPA store for their prices. The dealer want $689 for the disk and pressure plate. NAPA has a kit for about $250 that has the disk, pressure plate, and throw-out bearing. Can there really be enough difference in quality to justify that price difference?

Yes there can be that much of a quality difference but is there? Probably not.

You want the "Rhino Pac" line of clutch parts for the 1 ton.

It's a great line and I use them ONLY! I maintain a fleet of delivery vans (12000 lbs) and I've never had a premature failure of their hard components.

If Carquest carries the Rhino then order it from them. If they want to fob off the Carquest line on you, pass. It's Chinese junk.

x2, just check out what you are getting. I have had great luck with carquest and napa. change the pilot bushing too...

also, a great time to check out the u joints on your drivelines. if they are questionable, you might as well do them while you have them out. Moog is my choice for that sort of stuff.

Carquest's website says they sell clutch kits made by AMS Clutch Systems, which is the same company that makes Rhino. http://www.carquest.com/common/downloads/partsDrivetrainClutch.pdf

I wonder whether that means that it is the good stuff.

EDIT: I called AMS. The guy said that the Carquest stuff is the same as Rhino Pac. I hope he's right.

Quite often there isn't that much of a quality issue. Very often it is what is know as "private label" where I buy 10000 units and you tack my name on it. I bought our bed set from A-1 Furniture as opposed to Slumberland. Same brand, different model but SAME SPECS. Called up the company and they said that they stick one label if it goes to Slumberland and another one if it goes to A-1. That way, they can say "Sorry, we can't match prices because it is a different model." and get away with it.

The tensioner I ordered for our Saab was a "Carquest" in-house part, but when it came, it was a repackaged Rueville (sp?) OEM part. Same thing I'd have paid considerablyfor from one of the "Euro" supply houses.

You can always order it in, and have a look. If it's Chinese junk -- which it may well be -- sure, pass on it.

I like the Carquest folks in my town, too. They know their stuff and always remember me.

Here's a dumb question.

If it's made in China, will it say so?

That's a good question. I ordered my tensioner, and then when it came in I googled the name stamped in it to determine it's origin.

Buy the Napa/Carquest one - they're probably the same manufacturer b/c those two companies share suppliers. You can ask both and find out. Make sure you get the flywheel ground while you're at it.

Our mechanic swears by LUK clutches.

Given that a fair amount of labor is required to install these parts, I would err on the side of caution and pay more for either OEM or a good brand name.

I love Carquest, they bought WorldPac awhile back so you can get all your Mercedes parts from them.

I bought an air filter from them for my truck awhile ago and it was better than the GM one I took out. Looked a lot like a Hengst or Mann but their were no markings on it.

I believe Carquest gets their filters from Wix. The guy at Carquest told me that Carquest Premium filters are the same as NAPA Gold, which are also made by Wix. I use Mann in the Benz, but have no problem using Carquest or NAPA in everything else.

Another vote for LUK they supply clutches for a lot of manufactures. Sachs is also an oem supplier