Aftermarket Parts Quality

[carcrazed]

I was thinking of how aftermarket parts have (or haven't) changed in quality over the years. I restored my 1965 beetle in 1998 and am currently restoring my 1961 beetle. Looking back at how crappy some of the aftermarket parts I used on my 1965 and having to replace them, once again and sometimes not finding any better quality parts to use, I was curious if anyone thought that the quality of parts and fitment is getting better? I read SSSSSOOOO many grumblings of parts not fitting, parts not lasting, etc...etc..etc... What does everyone else think?? You would think after ALL of the years these companies have made aftermarket parts, they could tweak them and get them to factory specs??
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1965 Herbie Replica. 1776cc dual Kads.
1961 Beetle 33,000 Original Miles

"Just When you think you are getting ahead, you're always wrong."

[Tim Donahoe]

A local vendor has told me on more than one occasion that I'd have to file this or that to make a part fit. For instance, I bought a new urethane coupler and the "Y" was too narrow to accept the shift rod. On another occasion, a new clutch pedal shaft had the clutch-pin hole in the wrong place. I was told by the same vendor to remove some of the metal at the opening that accepts the clutch shaft.

I get supposedly "German" parts that don't fit, also. My new sunroof seal was too fat and the roof wouldn't close. I had to remove some of the inner rubber of the seal to get it to work. A German inner scraper was too long, and I had to trim 3/4 inch from the lower portion.

These companies who make these parts just don't seem to care. Apparently, they feel that this is all you get. Take it or leave it.

Tim
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Let's do the Time Warp again!

Richard O'Brien

[Bob Loblaw]

Your poll question makes no sense.
"What aftermarket parts are better in quality"
Each part will have good and bad suppliers, or manufacturers.
So are you asking if aftermarket sheet metal is better than aftermarket suspension?
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sent from a phone using poor grammar and spelling

[hitest]

I agree- your poll is not conclusive for any purpose. If your version of "better" aftermarket means compared to itself, maybe there has been some improvement in interior and seals. If it means better than factory- not by a mile.

Every poll has a declared comparison. Yours has none- and No "none" box to mark.
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[Glenn]

A totally useless post....

... so enter the trolls.
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Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"

Member #1009

#BlueSquare

[itskyle]

Certain exterior parts come to mind (as long as price isn't much of an object.)

Stainless Bumpers
Aluminum Running Boards
Fiberglass body parts

Then again, probably, for the right amount of $$, you could pick up a decent aftermarket part for any of these categories.

Or, if you really had the right amount of $$$, you could print out your own parts or have them fabricated by someone, like Jay Leno has done on some of his autos.

Kyle
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69 or 72 Autostick Bug current
66 Bug (We both miss it)
74 SuperBeetle Auto Stick (I miss that car)
73 SquareBack, Straight Stick (Wife misses this one.)