Pattern Parts

[blozbnob]

Since I've been back, I've seen the same comment several times, and said the same myself a few times, that you should NOT be cutting corners and buying cheap Pattern Parts for certain items. We know from experience that the cost saving is not worth the risk.

It's getting boring, reading and writing the same thing, it seems that people find it easier to ask the same question than read some of the past posts

So, can I suggest we make a "sticky", listing where we, as a Club, WOULD recommend buying ONLY Genuine Toyota parts

If I started a list for this sticky, it would be:

New Cylinder Head
Head Gasket
Head Bolts
Water Pump
Thermostat
Cam Belt and tensioner
Brake cylinder repair kits

Feel free to add, delete, or argue on this

Ta, Blozzy

[Kirsten]

Great idea Eddie I have made this a sticky

[pheasant_plucker]

I work in the Automotive manufacturing sector. You don't really believe Toyota manufacture things like Thermostats, Head castings, Gaskets etc, etc Do you ??? Things like this are sourced from external satellite companies from the cheapest bidder.

Gerry

[Father Ted]

But I would presume Toyota have quality control procedures which these satellite companies have to comply with.

[blozbnob]

Originally Posted by pheasant_plucker

I work in the Automotive manufacturing sector. You don't really believe Toyota manufacture things like Thermostats, Head castings, Gaskets etc, etc Do you ??? Things like this are sourced from external satellite companies from the cheapest bidder.

Gerry

Well, as a starter for 10, we believe the head gaskets are specifically modified for Estimas, in that the hole sizes are enlarged at one end to improve cooling to prevent cracking between 3 and 4 pots. At Toyota, you HAVE to give them the engine number to make sure you get a properly modified one. Other suppliers often think as long as it will fit over the studs, then it will be OK and we have seen these suppliers supply a gasket which they say is "definitely right", but it's actually wrong.

Weve recently had pattern studs stretching out of limits.

Then, why do we have a record of thermostats sticking if they are all the same

Cheap Heads come from China (and other places I guess). We've already heard today of a bolt not fitting, and do you really believe that the Chinese manufacture to Toyota's spec before they sell them on eBay? I think not.

All in all, if the club is to give recommendations, then they should err on the side of safety

I think Father Ted is close to the mark.

I understand that there may be other cam belts which we could approve, but we've yet to get input on this from others.

Maybe instead of limiting it to recommending Toyota parts, maybe it can be a list of recommended suppliers for specific parts, but I believe that it should only be on the basis of long-term results, not just "I fitted one once, and it fits". A difficult one this, but we will see

Bob's experience will be invaluable on this, hope he posts on this

[Cader]

i'd add shock absorbers to the list they're about a tenner more than the ebay copies but last alot longer & if your cheeky you could always negotiate a "discount" from toyota worked for me 10% off if i bought the pair

[E5TMA]

Originally Posted by Cader

i'd add shock absorbers to the list they're about a tenner more than the ebay copies but last alot longer & if your cheeky you could always negotiate a "discount" from toyota worked for me 10% off if i bought the pair

Could this be something the club could look into as a member benefit..............

I`m 99% sure the Lexus club get discount off dealer parts...

[blozbnob]

Originally Posted by Cader

i'd add shock absorbers to the list they're about a tenner more than the ebay copies but last alot longer & if your cheeky you could always negotiate a "discount" from toyota worked for me 10% off if i bought the pair

Good one, Cader, and thanks Mike, but could we perhaps start another thread on discounts. I'd like to concentrate on getting to the bottom of pattern parts first in this thread.

Discounts could grow and grow as a topic.

[WELSHVIKING]

SADS

[ex-ctr]

pity ARP [head bolts]and COMETIC [head gaskets]don't do parts for these but KYB make much better rear shocks that standard toyota ones [im looking at getting a set of four /front and rear sent over from the USA, they don't list the lucida but the previa 4wd van so they shoud fit]and there must be others out there, i know theres bad items but there are good ones also