OEM from Dealer or Auto Parts Store - Difference?

[Dylan]

I couldn't find anything on this specifically. I'm about to do my brakes this weekend: calipers, rotors, pads, etc. I've read that it's best to stick with OEM on the parts.

However, what is the difference between OEM pads from the dealership versus what auto parts stores like O'Reilly or Advance list as OE? I see they have Wagner Thermo Quiets and Brake Best pads listed as OE. But they are different brands than what the dealer sells. Are they the same??

Here's an example. It lists the front Brake Best pads as "OE Ceramic". There are other compatible Brake Best pads that do not say OE. I understand the front OEM style pads are in fact ceramic, but is Brake Best actually the Original Equipment Manufacturer? Has anyone else been confused by this?? I never understood this...

I've read that Akebono was OEM for 4Runner pads, but I'm still confused by what qualifies as OEM.

Edit: I updated the broken link above.

 

[Dylan]

I guess I feel a little better about not knowing the difference since no one else has chimed in...

 

[pc1p]

Well I worked at AutoZone throughout college and part-time for many years after. I was ASE P1 Certified and know a little bit. My dad was an ASE Mechanic for Nissan and then Hyundai for 15 years. I've been wrenching cars since I was sucking on bottles. Here's my $0.02, which is a steal considering how much you paid for it

On parts that are non-consumables (designed to last 100k miles or more), I typically stick with OEM. Why? No single reason really, other than both are usually similarly priced or may not even be available aftermarket. In your original question, the calipers are what I would consider to be a "non-consumable" part. In these cases, OEM vs Aftermarket you can usually find better quality control and higher grade materials on OEM. This isn't of course to say that the aftermarket stuff is junk. I assure you that I've used plenty of AutoZone starters, calipers, alternators, etc for many years without a single issue. I worked at multiple stores in numerous states and our commercial accounts were booming and nearly every single one offered lifetime warranty's on labor. They were obviously confident enough in aftermarket products to offer "free" shop labor.

With other parts, specifically "consumables" like rotors and pads (designed to last less than 50k miles), I have no problem going to AutoZone for them right from the start. I just did my 4.7L V8 Timing belt and W/P with the Dayco kit at AutoZone. I have little worry about the quality of the parts (all were made in Taiwan). I also have Raybestos slotted rotors and ceramic pads. I currently have 36k miles on these rotors/pads. Additionally, I have an 03 Infiniti G35 and have 180k miles on the car (we bought it with under 10k). All replacement parts thus far - rotors, brakes, radiator, wheel bearings and ball-joints - were purchased at AutoZone and have never caused an issue (actually, they all fixed problems!). I use the same rotors/pads on the G35 as I do the 4Runner and I've averaged over 40k miles per front pad set. I still haven't had to replace the rears since replacing the originals at 60k miles.

Remember, there is a significant quality-of-materials difference between part-store brands. The Duralast Gold's are well-made - basically OEM quality. The "Value Craft" branded parts are meant to be the bare-minimum quality to be road-ready (not necessarily road savvy). This is applicable to all part-store brands.

Hope that helps

 

[MikeInNH]

First off...Toyota doesn't make brake pads or rotors. They are designed and made for them by several companies. Wagner has been an OEM supplier to Toyota and many other other manufacturers.

I don't like to buy parts from the National chain stores. The quality is iffy on many of their parts and sorry to say they parts people are not the most knowledgeable. We have a few local chains in NH and MA that are very good. Usually better parts..and the parts guys are very knowledgeable. Most are over 40 and have been working there for years. The only problem with them is their hours of operation. Usually 7-5 M-F and 7-3 on Saturday...Closed on Sunday.

True story - visiting an AutoZone about 5 years on a Sunday afternoon. I was helping a friend of my sons with his 80's Fire-bird. It needed to have the carb rebuilt. So went to AutoZone (since they were open)..and sure enough they actually had a carb kit. I asked the kid if the kit came with a float (many kits don't)....I got that deer-in-headlights look. He had no idea what a float was. He barely knew what a Carburetor was.

But the kit did have a float...and it worked fine.

 

[Dylan]

Thanks for the replies. And I realize Toyota doesn't manufacture the pad, or even the brake systems for that matter. What confused me is that when you pick up pads from the Toyota dealer parts department they are branded with toyota boxes. They don't say Wagner or any other brand name. Furthermore, you can find some non "OE" brake pads for more $$ than the OE equivalent, which doesn't jive with the fact that OE normally costs more. Next, we have the calipers. I havent seen anyone report back on calipers, OE or aftermarket, for our 4th gens that don't have the frozen piston issue. So I imagine this is an exception to the "OE is better quality" idea, especially since the calipers from the factory are OE and have had the issue from the start.

So I guess long story short is that you can pay less for what is considered OE from a parts store, whether O'Reilly, Autozone, Advance, Napa, or Pep Boys (none here local) and be fine. I always was under the impression you get what you pay for, but by this logic it seems that what you get (OEM) doesn't necessarily have to be what you pay for if you can find it cheaper.

Plus, what's the hoopla from buying EBC or Hawk or any other aftermarket pads when they apparently aren't supposed to be the same quality as OEM, yet the aftermarket pads can sometimes cost more? I guess I'll go grab some $30 OEM pads from Napa and say screw it on the Toyota PArts department $85 set that comes in the fancy red Toyota lettered box.

 

[oljedi11950]

Just did my calipers & pads , had them turn my rotors since they had plenty left . Went napa just cause tons of guys have on here & akebono pads they get used by most dealers , so far so good !

 

[chitown40]

Just to clarify something here.

OEM - Original Equipment Manufacturer

OE - Original Equipment.

Basically OE is made to the same specs as the originally equipped parts.

OEM is the same manufacturer (or provider). Example Toyota OEM parts mcould be made by Wagner, but they are made to a certain spec provided by Toyota. They may or may not be the same spec as their Thermo-Quiet line offered in parts stores. However if a part store offers a Wagner OE replacement for Toyota 4Runners, it will meet or exceed the originally equipped part.

That being said, there are so many variables as to how well a part will perform and how long it will last. Much has to do with the quality of manufacturer and quality of parts used along with how the vehicle is driven.

I've used both OEM Toyota brake parts on my old Land Cruisers, and OE quality replacements (mostly O'Reilly Brakebest Select lines) and found virtually no difference in life and performance.

As far as radiators, starters, alternators... I like to use OEM parts if economically feasible since they usually only get replaced once or twice over the lifetime of the vehicle.

 

[Dylan]

Remember, there is a significant quality-of-materials difference between part-store brands. The Duralast Gold's are well-made - basically OEM quality. The "Value Craft" branded parts are meant to be the bare-minimum quality to be road-ready (not necessarily road savvy). This is applicable to all part-store brands.

Glad to know. So would that mean that if the brand is listed as OE then it should be comparable to the OEM quality, despite it being inexpensive? My link in the original post was broken, but I fixed it. Here's an example Brake Best Select Brake Pads - $34.99 - OE Ceramic and then the Non-OE equivalent, which is $15 more??? If it's not OE quality, why is it more? Brake Best Select Brake Pads - $49.99 - Ceramic

Because if so then it's a no-brainer going with Brake Best versus the $85 set from the dealer parts dept. While I understand stealerships tend to overprice, this is a huuuge markup for the same quality.

 

[MikeInNH]

They don't say Wagner or any other brand name.

This is nothing new. It's been going on for decades. You buy a Toyota oil or air filter...the name of the filter manufacturer is not on the box or the filter. It just says Toyota...although they are not made by Toyota. Almost all parts from all manufacturer dealers are that way.

 

[Dylan]

This is nothing new. It's been going on for decades. You buy a Toyota oil or air filter...the name of the filter manufacturer is not on the box or the filter. It just says Toyota...although they are not made by Toyota. Almost all parts from all manufacturer dealers are that way.

Shouldn't we see more OEM parts at parts stores, rather than the OE equivalent? I thought that Akebono was the OEM for pads anyway. If Wagner is, why not just put OEM on the description instead of OE.

I guess I'm not surprised that the way this is done is so convoluted, but man it should be more transparent.

 

[pc1p]

...then the Non-OE equivalent, which is $15 more??? If it's not OE quality, why is it more?

Non-OE doesn't necessarily mean "not good". OEM brakes and parts have compound requirements, dusting requirements, etc. If a set of brakes were designed to dust less and give more "bite" than the OEM's (say for a towing truck), can it be called "OE quality"? Technically no...

I'll compare it to an AR-15 for example. I have an AR that I used for competition. The barrel is not even close to being considered "mil-spec". Rather, it is a Lothar Walter stainless steel match grade barrel. Is this as good (or better) as a "mil-spec" barrel? Sure, way better actually, but you can't call it "mil-spec". :uzi:

 

[pc1p]

Shouldn't we see more OEM parts at parts stores, rather than the OE equivalent? I thought that Akebono was the OEM for pads anyway. If Wagner is, why not just put OEM on the description instead of OE.

I guess I'm not surprised that the way this is done is so convoluted, but man it should be more transparent.

Not necessarily - OEM suppliers often have to abide by contractual requirements, meaning they can't sell OEM parts to third-parties so as to ensure that Toyota can say "only we sell Toyota parts".

OEE or OE-Equivalent can literally be the same exact part, without the Toyota "label", but thus cannot be sold as a "Toyota part". Most OEE parts are made to the same exact part specs, tolerances, material requirements, etc. These can also then be sold as OE-equivalent.

 

[Dylan]

Not necessarily - OEM suppliers often have to abide by contractual requirements, meaning they can't sell OEM parts to third-parties so as to ensure that Toyota can say "only we sell Toyota parts".

OEE or OE-Equivalent can literally be the same exact part, without the Toyota "label", but thus cannot be sold as a "Toyota part". Most OEE parts are made to the same exact part specs, tolerances, material requirements, etc. These can also then be sold as OE-equivalent.

It's all making sense now...

 

[MikeInNH]

Not necessarily - OEM suppliers often have to abide by contractual requirements, meaning they can't sell OEM parts to third-parties so as to ensure that Toyota can say "only we sell Toyota parts".

EXACTLY. It's a contractual thing. Me as the manufacturer...You want me to buy several millions of dollars worth of parts from you...then you do it MY WAY...And you are in no way allowed to sell the parts as OEM...even though they are the exact same part of the same assembly line and built by the same workers.

There isn't a parts manufacturer in the world who'd pass up that deal.

 

[Dylan]

MY WAY