Dixon's Automotive

08/19/2025

07/21/2025

We've all been talking about quality for some time now. This is an $11k+ trike rear end kit. While the axle looks like it was engineered well, the material quality leaves a lot to be desired. To save $15 on hardware the grade 8 bolts that should have held this pulley on the axle were subbed with some cheap garbage. As a result, it came apart and damaged the pulley, axle drive fl**ge and tri-hub assembly. It left this customer on the side of the road, looking for a tow back from states away.

We're all getting tired of paying a premium for discount stuff. The juice doesn't feel like it's worth the squeeze in all facets of life. Now more than ever you need to be careful about spending money. Engineered failure, corner cutting, outright bait and switch.

This customer did it all right. He bought from a reputable builder. He had a qualified guy install the parts. Nothing but faulty components caused this. This isn't a teachable moment where I tell you that it's your fault if you don't make the right choice. This is one of those moments where I tell you no matter how hard you try to get everything right, sometimes it's out of your hands. Sometimes it isn't your fault. And with so much stacked against us all, sometimes the deck is just stacked too heavily against you. So give yourself a break. Even when you find yourself out of moves, when the devil says checkmate, the King still has one move left.

04/10/2025

The quality of work you have done on your car is as important as the parts you choose. We're suffering from an epidemic of cheap Chinese parts being sold by big chain stores and dealerships alike. We're also suffering from an epidemic of poorly trained technicians and DIY guys getting jobs at corner cutting shops.

This 2018 F150 came in after a customer just brought it into a shop to have a grinding wheel bearing replaced. Unfortunately, it wasn't the wheel bearing but the IWE (4X4) actuator that went bad. After a nearly $1k bill, the problem wasn't fixed, the 4x4 didn't work and the new bearing was damaged by the broken part.

Everyone wants to save money in today's economy, but these are expensive shortcuts and you'll find yourself smooth out of luck with most places denying warranty and accountability.

STOP buying cheap knock offs, and not just the parts! Don't pay retail for someone to learn the job on your vehicle. Let's bring back doing the job right the first time!

11/27/2024

Rock Auto Update:

Summary: Yes, "GM" is packaging sh*tty parts in fancy boxes like most retailers around you. If you don't like the bait and switch, you can return the parts, minus shipping expenses. In other words, why not rob the bank if all you have to do is return the money, less your "expenses"?

11/26/2024

To those of you who think you are getting OEM parts from RockAuto, look closer. This is a set of "OEM Genuine GM" plugs and wires from them. The boxes are written in 4 languages including Chinese, Russian and Arabic. Instead, they sent what looks suspiciously identical to knock offs you'll find on Amazon for less than half the price. Your friendly neighborhood dealer is starting to carry the same stuff. The last photo is AC Delco parts, what you get from a dealer. Know what you're buying.

09/16/2024

We get a lot of requests to use aftermarket and customer supplied parts. If you're one of these customers, you've been given my advice before. One of these factors is part quality. It's VERY difficult if not impossible at times to locate quality parts. It's something I specialize in while others just look for the cheapest part they can find. Here's a great example of an "O.E. Direct Replacement" part supplied by a large and popular retailer. I wouldn't install this part on a lawnmower. Not all parts are created equally, don't shop on price alone. If money is a factor, you can't afford cheap.

08/30/2024

Costs everywhere are skyrocketing. Everyone is trying to save money by doing things themselves. I take time to help and instruct any of my customers who have interest in this trade, but there's a point where you just need to hang it up and take it to someone who can do the job right.

This is NOT an acceptable method of fixing a torn ball joint boot. That's about a quarter roll of electrical tape. A boot that was torn trying to replace that drive axle, that also has a torn boot. I applaud the effort, but let us help.

08/26/2024

If you've been waiting to get new tires, don't wait for the winter price hike. Don't be that guy crashing into everyone and sliding off the road with your bald tires this year!

08/19/2024

This customer (my neighbor) had to have their 2014 Ford Escape towed about 75 miles after it wouldn't start due to this simple fuse next to the battery. This is the true cost of cheap parts these days, a common problem on these. The silver lining was finding a rodent nest under the air filter. Much longer and this 1.6 ecoboost would have ingested the nest and likely killed the engine. Sometimes a catastrophe saves the day..

06/13/2024

A recent project found it's way back to me a month after it was here. Unfortunately, the quality of parts we're getting from basically everywhere these days took it's toll. None of your prayers for this customer worked. This new "high torque" starter from Arrowhead Engineered Products didn't just not last, it didn't last a month.

I can't overstress the risk associated with buying cheap Chinese knock off parts, and chances are pretty good that retailer of yours is using them. The gears in this starter cracked. The quality is beyond j***y. This is a really well cared for bike. I'm sorry to see my friend Steve left high and dry. The company was even nice enough to refuse warranty 30 days later without restocking fees and shipping/tax exceptions.

Finding good parts is now half the job. I really thought we might have found a bargain today, but it turns out no dice. I'm running out of options for quality parts without paying top dollar. They just don't make parts like they used to. Most retailers are selling cheap imported junk at insane prices. Dealers and retailers are asking importers to build things as cheaply as possible while raising prices. We all know it's hard to get what you pay for these days. Imagine paying $375 for this starter and getting one month out of it. Or getting it for $200 and getting a month out of it.

To those of you who sent those prayers in for Steve, I think they ended up in Hillary's emails ;-)