Rock Auto Brands And Experience

I'm getting ready to do the Geo disc brake upgrade and started to order parts. Traditionally I have trusted NAPA and ACDelco but in this day it seems like everything comes from China and the 'old trusted' brands are really being made in the same factory over there, most likely to the same standards (or lack there of) and pieces. So after picking the calipers, rotors and pads with NAPA brand I went to RockAuto that I keep reading about, but don't recoginize any of the brands A1Cardone, Nugeon, Beck/Arnley or Centric. Not that NAPA is necessarily a standard, but in comparing price, the RockAuto might save me almost $50 when cost, shipping, tax is all done.

So for those who have bought from RockAuto, what has been your experience in terms of the quality parts? Experiences with any of their brands?

 

I have been a parts counterman for almost 30 years, so I'm pretty damn picky about what parts I choose for my own vehicles. I have always used Napa in the past, but as you mentioned it seems like all of their stuff is chinese-made nowadays. I have been using RockAuto a lot now also, for your brake job I would stick with a name brand like Bendix or Raybestos.

 

I used to get a lot of Beck-Arnley foreign parts back in the '80s and '90s and they often rebranded OEM parts. They were very good, at least a while back.
I have bought a fair number of parts from RockAuto, but usually pick brand names like Raybestos or Bendix for brake parts, like colojeepguy says above. I'd shy away from Centric or Nugeon which I've never heard of , except RochAuto.
-Donny

 

I have bought the brand name brake parts from Rock Auto on several occasions. Raybestos and Bendix. I was disappointed to find that most of it is made in Mexico now. Still, I took some comfort in the fact that it was still brand name and hopefully they keep their quality standards up.

Not sure how to get around it. I bought a radiator for my truck from the Chevy dealer. It was made outside of the US. I'm not sure how to get around it except for buying old stuff off eBay and that can be a problem, IMO, as seals can dry out over time on the shelf.

In general, I have yet to have a bad experience with anything from Rock Auto. (Knocks on wood table).

 

I have used rock auto alot and haven't had any issures with the parts or service. A lot of the brands they sell are the same that the big national parts stores sell. If i need something right away i prefer to use napa mainly because their employees tend to be more knowledgeable than the other chain stores. Napa doesn't actually make any of the parts they sell, they just rebrand the parts.

 

Rock auto is a retailer.
No different than autozone, advance or Napa... or for that matter your FLAPS...

They sell the same brands as anybody else

It’s all made in China because all the engineers and factories are in China..

If you are looking for quality buy NOS...

 

I have had just about every brand on Rocauto. The centric brake parts have all been good stuff. Napa is worse then buying parts at Walmart now. Complete joke with Nordstrom prices.

 

100% agree!

Same bearing same brand same box was $20 more at NAPA

The only reason I go to the local parts stores now is that I can at least return it right away that and even though its corporate at least I am helping the local economy some what by keeping that kid employed.

 

My go to parts supplier is rockauto. I always o to them first because they have the best website layout. You can easily search different brands, models, cars etc. For that reason alone its worth it to me to pay a couple dollars more for shipping. I also paste the part numbers to amazon as well..

I have used centric and all sorts of weird brands from rockauto. Quality is generally worlds better than the junk I get in a pinch from auto zone. Napa always has to order my stuff after I drive there, forget it. I can do that all on my own.

I originally got turned onto rock auto by looking for a bearing for my delta adjustable speed drill press. seems it uses the same bearing as a 1964 or so buick wildcat driveshaft carrier bearing..

If you can cross reference stuff like that.. why go anywhere else.?

 

I too have used all sorts of parts from RockAuto. In particular, I have found the Centric brake parts to be of good quality. If I were doing the Geo brakes and Centric rotors were one of the options, I would not hesitate to purchase. Raybestos, Bendix and Delco are other good options. Dorman brake parts are usually ok, but I would pick one of the above brands first.

As mentioned, Amazon is another good source, but seldom cheaper than RockAuto. Sometimes a good source if you have Prime.

 

I ordered the Raybestos loaded calipers from Amazon and there was no mention of core charge plus the rotors were at Addon price at 50% so I got rotors, calipers and pads for $167 all in. Now to get all the small misc parts.

Thanks Focker.

 

Centric is a reboxer. They aren’t a basic manufacturer... you don’t know who made what’s in the box.. and it’s owned by private equity...

Stick with basic manufacturers and you will always get best quality available..

 

30 or so years ago when I was working on cars for a living after getting out of mechanic school there was a big push to get asbestos out of car friction parts , they were trying everything they could come up with to replace it. We started switching almost exclusively to OEM brake parts mainly to stop come backs for squealing and shuddering pedals etc. Now I almost exclusively go to AutoZone because of convenience more than anything, and I have had pretty good luck with them. I usually by online and have it delivered mainly because I know what I want and which grade I want & also there is no language barrier with the computer. If there is a return I can go to any of their stores no questions asked. I do miss my local Mom & Pop stores & the interactions you would have with your favorite counter person but they are all gone in my area now. One plus online with AutoZone is if you order rebuilt and they don't have it in stock they will ship you new onstead. I might get my Geo / Suzuki calipers & brackets from JC Whitney because they don't charge a core. T J