Dorman aftermarket parts

[pauleyman]

While researching my POS Chrysler minivan I stumbled onto some things concerning Dorman parts. Now we now they make some parts for DSM that are of questionable quality (door handles) but what about other stuff? Looking around online I found rear AWD caliper rebuild kits, AWD parking brake cables etc. I didn't look at everything but for some things that just don't matter much this might be an alternative to parts that aren't available. Thoughts? Comments?

For what it's worth they also have what's called "OE fix" parts for some stuff with the mindset that the OE part sucks and they designed a better one. Case in point the chrysler 3.6 plastic oil filter housing is apparently a known problem. Dorman makes an aluminum housing. I just ran into this with my daughters 2011 corolla. A certain coolant part was plastic. Again Dorman made an aluminum part which fixed the problem permanently.

 

[CrackedDSM]

Dorman HELP! brand door handles are actually awesome. No they aren’t as beastly as OEM but the metal tab is twice as thick on the Dorman handles compared to the eBay/Amazon handles.


No experience with any other Dorman brand though.

 

[Dericsh]

Although the 2g handles aren’t known for quality, I replaced my Tundra tailgate handle with dorman. It honestly looked and preformed exactly like OEM. More recently I used a dorman branded fan assembly for my wife’s RAV4, (after using one on a customers pathfinder a couple years ago with no issues to date). The fit was so-so if I’m being picky, but they have preformed just fine. She actually noticed that she had to turn the temp control knob away from Max AC for the first time in a while.

 

[Tyeler18]

We use dorman regularly at work. I warranty probably 30-40% of their parts, doesn't seem to matter if it's electronics or hard parts. China quality, they're as hit or miss as any other brand. I actually just installed a set of their door handles on a buddies 2g this weekend as he was selling the car and that was all we could get locally right away, they sucked ass. Very gummy and poor feeling compared to whatever other cheap china door handle was on the car prior.

 

[TerminalTalon]

It’s always a hit or miss on anything except OEM manufacturer companies. Their standard and quality beyond NTK/NGK, Denso, AC Delco, Mopar, or dealer parts etc. is a headache waiting to happen.

 

[We're on Boost]

Be aware if you are buying a Dorman oil drain plug, that quite a few of their drain plugs have the letters "S.O." or "D.O" on the label and the word "Oversize". But they don't tell you what it is that is oversize.
It's the thread diameter.
So for example, if it says 1/2-20 and "matches the fit and function of the original drain plug" - it is actually not a 1/2-20 thread if it also says "Oversize". It will be something bigger than 1/2".
S.O. is Single Oversize. D.O. is Double Oversize.
They have a self-tapping nose which cuts threads oversize into your oil pan.
Even on the web page for a specific drain plug where they have a long list of specs for the plug, they don't tell you what the actual OD of the thread is. Well they do but it's wrong. For example for the 1/2-20 D.O. they say the Thread Diameter is 0.5 inches. But it is actually about 0.553 inches.

I have noticed though that NAPA sells a lot of Dorman stuff, and NAPA usually sells decent stuff.

 

[BLACK'98DSM]

I used a Dorman door handle on my 2g. The warranty for it is 1 year and it snapped at 1 year and 1 month. It would've broken much sooner but I barely drive the car. I'd much rather spend a few dollars at the junkyard than over $20 for a Dorman.

Like others are saying, it's hit or miss. I've used some Dorman sensors that were fine but some other products are garbage.