Heavy Duty Truck Parts: Used, Rebuilt and Remanufactured – What’s The Difference?
If you need to replace a heavy duty truck part, your understanding of the difference between a used, rebuilt or remanufactured part will go a long way toward making the right purchase. It also will determine how much you pay for such a part and how long you can expect it to last. We asked the experts from Ace Supply to share their knowledge of heavy duty truck used, rebuilt and remanufactured parts with us.
Used parts are considered the best value by many heavy duty truck owners because they are usually cheaper than new, rebuilt or remanufactured parts. Of course, when it comes to used parts, you really do get what you pay for. Buying used parts often means sacrificing reliability since it is impossible to know how long the part will last or how well it was maintained in the first place. Therefore, while you may save money in the short run, in the long run, used parts may end up costing you much more than you anticipated.
When parts are rebuilt, faulty components of those parts are replaced and the part is reassembled. Rebuilt parts are dangerous since issues that may have caused a component to fail in the first place are not addressed. Therefore, the chances of the part failing again are high. Further, not all components of a rebuilt part are addressed. For example, the clutch of a rebuilt transmission may wear out soon after the transmission has been rebuilt because that clutch was close to being worn out before the transmission was rebuilt.
When it comes to used, rebuilt or remanufactured heavy duty parts, remanufactured parts are the most reliable and in most cases, the best option. This is especially true if the vehicle these parts are going to be used in is one that the owner intends to use for a long period of time. Remanufactured parts are completely restored to the same quality and standard as new parts.
When a heavy duty truck engine is remanufactured, every component of that engine will meet the standards of original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts. This includes standards of durability, quality and tolerance.
If you are having a difficult time deciding between OEM, used, rebuilt or remanufactured auto parts, here are a few things to consider:
- How difficult is the part to replace? If you are replacing an engine, you don’t want to have to replace it more than once. Therefore, it makes the most sense to use the best parts available.
- How long do you plan to keep the vehicle? If you are replacing a part on a vehicle you anticipate driving for a long period of time, it makes sense to pick the highest-quality replacement part. If you are looking to get rid of the vehicle shortly, you might not want to invest as much in it.
OEM parts aren’t always the best option. While OEM parts may seem like the best option, remember that there may have been an issue with the original design that a OEM part does not address. Further, aftermarket parts are often made on the same assembly line so there is no difference. Finally, if a vehicle is near the end of its projected life, the OEM price rarely, if ever, makes sense.
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