aftermarket auto parts for newer cars

[renovation]

been looking into parts for my wifes 2002 saturn Vue . and im finding that there are not a lot of aftermarket replacement parts avail. for her car from NAPA or other auto part stores. her car has like 60,000 miles on it. i was able to locate shocks and struts and there exspensive .even a friend who owns a repair shop was dumb founded at the cost for them . but i just looked online tonight to see of there were any front end parts avail.like tie rod ends or sway bar link pins. and there were none listed . makes me think the auto companys are not allowing replacement part companys from selling these replacement. or is it that there just not enought need for replacement units yet ?

[uncledaddy]

I've been a mechanic for 20+ years and found that the availability of aftermarket parts is in direct relation to demand. I believe that the Vue is still a new enough a model that certain parts will stil be dealer items unless the parts were taken from the designs of earlier models. The rights for aftermarket manufacturers is probably already there but those manufacturers research demands in order to find the possibility for profits.

[mechmike0034]

been looking into parts for my wifes 2002 saturn Vue . and i just looked online tonight to see of there were any front end parts avail.like tie rod ends or sway bar link pins. and there were none listed . makes me think the auto companys are not allowing replacement part companys from selling these replacement. or is it that there just not enought need for replacement units yet ?

Are your tie rod ends loose?

Maybe they aren't high failure items... If there's sufficient demand, someone in the aftermarket will build them. Why tool up and build a particular part when you may never sell enough of them to see a return on your investment?

GM probably doesn't manufacture those tie rod ends and link pins anyway - they're likely sourced from Delphi, Dana, or whomever GM Purchasing has designated as a supplier for that particular item.

Give me one documented example where an automaker has prevented an aftermarket parts maker from making or selling a replacement part.

[renovation]

Are your tie rod ends loose?

Maybe they aren't high failure items... If there's sufficient demand, someone in the aftermarket will build them. Why tool up and build a particular part when you may never sell enough of them to see a return on your investment?

GM probably doesn't manufacture those tie rod ends and link pins anyway - they're likely sourced from Delphi, Dana, or whomever GM Purchasing has designated as a supplier for that particular item.

Give me one documented example where an automaker has prevented an aftermarket parts maker from making or selling a replacement part.
im getting a clunking from the front end .at first i thought it was the struts but they are fine .so we are thinking tie rod ends or link pins . going in to the shop friday or monday to find out .cv joints are also fine .