Done with A1 Cardone rebuilds, Bad rebuilds review BEWARE !! Options

[Remy]

I just wanted to post my experience with A1 cardone and let everyone know I will NEVER buy anything from them again I just read some reviews online and seems as the quality of their parts are worst then generic china ones from ebay. If you do a search online you will see bad reviews from everybody that has ever used them.


**Brake Master Cylinder Rebuild by A1 Cardone** 1995 Celica GT w/o ABS

*MC=Master Cylinder

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Day 1
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Ordered part

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Day 2
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Waiting on part..

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Day 3
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Received part
Start taking parts off old MC
Took new part out to compare with old one to make sure part was correct.
Bench bleed New MC
Problems started wouldn't bleed from bottom nipple looked like something was clogged in their didn't want to take it apart as it would void warranty.
Returned to auto store to exchange with another one. (Stuff happens I understand..)

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Day 4
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Waiting on parts...

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Day 5
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Waiting on parts..

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Day 6
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Part came in
Bench bleed new MC
Same problem but now with the other nipple wouldn't bleed no matter how much I tried to bleed it.
Called cardone talked with service rep said I wasn't properly bleeding the MC told me to bleed it on the car I said ok I will try that.
Tried to bleed it on the car without the brake lines connected to the MC of course.
Had a helper pump the MC in car still nothing..
Called cardone again spoke with a new rep said I had to take the new MC to get properly bled at a service garage I said ok thats fine.
Dropped off part at auto shop they were booked so they couldn't mess with it till tomarrow said ok thats fine.

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Day 7
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Got a called from shop saying part was defective they took it apart and said spring was jammed and parts were installed incorrectly causing MC to be defective.
Mech told me not to buy cheap china junk told them it was cardone rebuild part
Mech said cardone is worst then cheap china parts now I know...
Called cardone talked to another rep said warranty voided when it was removed by mechanic...sigh
Went to pick up MC from shop
wrapped it up and junked the part in the trash

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Day 8
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Went to auto zone to get a fenco replacement $140 without core.
Got home bench bleed fenco MC
Installed on car bleed all 4 brakes
Road tested car brakes are like brand new.
All done in 1 day with auto zone part.

I was gonna get a oem one from the dealer but $240+tax and it was on back order didn't want to wait for the part, I'm just glad the A1 cardone wasn't installed I didn't want it to fail on me while I was on the highway. A1 cardone is now on my list as *DO NOT BUY EVER*. Just a word of advice to people who has cardone axles, calipers, master cylinders etc...don't be surprised when that part fails on you or your axles snap or falls apart.

From what I've learned they don't test any of their rebuild parts before selling.

[Bitter]

I'd like to add that some chains have special value lines on brands of parts. For example where I work we have suppliers that get us SPI radiators. We have an account with some retail chains, Autozone in particular also carries SPI radiators. The SPI radiator we order from other suppliers and the SPI radiator we order from Autozone are very different in terms of packaging quality and parts quality. I spoke with an SPI rep about this once, he explained that retail sales get a value line of Radiators for store stock but can special order the premium quality stuff, where as the commercial supply houses get the premium line to stock but can special order the value line. The value line has a lesser warranty but he assured me they're exactly the same quality. They're not. The value line often does not come with new trans cooler fittings (which should be replaced), the packing on the value line is much thinner and they're not as well protected during shipping and handling, the value line plastic end tanks look thinner and weaker, the fins are solid W shaped aluminum between the tubes vs the premium line which has perforated W shaped fins. Small difference but it makes a big difference in performance, since that perforation slows the air down as it passes through and makes it soak up more heat making a more efficient radiator.


Anyway, I suspect the same may be true of other parts suppliers. I've used A1 Cardone parts before and had no issues, but that's not to say it doesn't happen. I'd suspect they have two parts lines and you got the 'value' grade stuff. Heck, even Toyota does this at the dealer parts counter. Value brake pads or factory OEM brake pads. Buy a brake job and you get value pads unless you ask!