Hi Folks,

Just wanted to see if anyone else has noticed that the quality of "new" parts for our cars has declined rapidly over the last, say, ten years. Of course most parts that are marked as "new" are probably remanufactured, but if it is done right, they should be as good as new, or better.

I've noticed this phenomenon particularly with suspension parts. Ball joints, tie rod ends, bushings -- things like that. The OEM parts on the car held up for over ten years, almost fifteen in the case of the trailing arm bushings. I've already gone through two sets of replacement bushings, and three sets of ball joints just in the last 6 years.

The exhaust seems to develop leaks every three or four years. I used Starla last time, I believe. Once again, the original exhaust was 12 or 13 years old when I finally replaced it (not including the danged rear muffler that seems to rust out every 18-24 months). We don't have salt on the roads here so I am thinking the replacements should last longer.

It's frustrating, but I suppose this is one of the caveats of owing an older car.