Original Toyota CV joint or other?
 

My mechanic typically uses genuine Toyota parts on my 05, and I prefer that. That being said , I have a CV boot that is busted and he quoted over $400 for one side to replace the whole joint. I’m thinking about calling around and assuming some of that cost might be for the genuine Toyota part? Just thought I would get some input on whether I should stick with Toyota parts or allow for other options for this. Thoughts?

Some good posts on this in 4th gen , but if cv isn't busted just get the boot kit & repack move on !

I’m not comfortable with the idea of rebooting. I also just found out the cost on toyo replacement part and think I will be taking my chances. Guy in town who uses a particular after market one says he’s never, in 40 years, had a new one come back that failed. Only remamufactured ones have gone bad for him. They are very proud of them!

OK, i appreciate the research and development and engineering and manufacturing and parts specing/sourcing dollars that go into OEM parts development. BUT WHY IN THE HELL do Toyota parts cost so much more than aftermarket parts, decades later??? Just priced parts for a tune-up on my 2000 4runner 3.4 V6 2x4 auto (plugs, wires, coil packs), and figured may as well replace the injectors while i was at it, as I would have to make the same tear-down for injector replacement that has to be done for a tune-up (appears the original injectors were still in service ay 240K miles, bless 'em). But $560 !!!???
I did some research/checking (semi-retired attorney, computer research has made me a lot of money) and found NEW injectors, spec dual electro plugs, 3 coil packs and wires, and the throttle body and plenum gaskets (necessary replacements when you take the fuel injection system apart to get to the coil packs and plugs), all for less than $200 delivered to my door, on Ebay.
Yes, I would rather buy from the
dealer. Yes, I would love to have that close relationship with people I would like to depend on to maintain my daily transportation. Yes. I have bought a few beers for dealer service managers and dealer techs in my past years. And I have learned, and I am sure the reader knows, that to build a $30K car from the parts sourced from the dealership parts department would cost $100K. A real pity, an open secret, and a fraud on the public.
I cut my teeth wrenching on '60s and '70s muscle and "fun" cars. After watching Timmy the Tool Man and a few other videos, I see nothing to prevent me from tuning up this little fuel-injected V6, but dealer parts prices are OUTRAGEOUS. I understand "Toyota reliability" that is engineered into, and expected from, the branded parts. But when shop managers tell me they regularly use Ebay parts to cut overhead, why should I pay dealer service prices for something I can do myself, with the same Ebay parts??
I am betting good after-market parts will serve your need at a quarter to a third the cost of branded parts.

I can't speak for all OEM vs Aftermarket parts but based on my personal experience I will be getting OEM Toyota headlights next time. I had right side busted and replaced it with Toyo brand while left side still Toyota. Aftermarket light pattern is awful due to fewer reflecting flats and it is fogging up inside after rain or carwash every time. I'd rather buy one Toyota product and install it once than getting 2 aftermarket ones for same price and have to redo it. I value my wrench time.

I feel your pain, but I may have a somewhat unique perspective on the answer. I too used to struggle with paying high prices for OEM parts, but generally did. Then a couple of things happened.

First, my son graduated from the Toyota T-Ten program for Service Technicians and went to work at a Lexus / Toyota dealership. Man, the stories he brought home about the horrors of aftermarket parts not working as well as OEM.

Then, a few years later, I went to work for another local Toyota dealership driving one of their Wholesale Parts delivery trucks as a retirement job. Man, did I get my eyes open when talking to the shops I delivered to. They bought their parts from us because they'd been burned so many times and the aftermarket junk.

The truth is, OEM parts are generally better quality than aftermarket. Yes, there is more markup to go with the higher quality, but you will get what you pay for. As for those who say they "I just bought my new aftermarket parts for 1/4 of the OEM price and so far they work great!" Well, the OEM parts they just replaced lasted 100,000 miles. I'll bet you any amount of money the cheap parts they just put in won't last nearly that long.

Just my 2 cents based on personal experience.