OEM parts vs aftermarket parts

For that price difference, the oem part was brand new. The Auto Zone part was rebuilt meaning new bearings and seals. All that is reused is the housing. Rebuilt parts are perfectly fine, in fact, at the dealership I worked for they always offered the customer the choice of rebuilt parts. The only exception was when vehicles were under warranty. Chrysler warranty specifies any replacement part must have the same life expectancy as what came on the vehicle. While that's true of most aftermarket rebuilt parts, you bought a vehicle built with all new parts and the base warranty requires new replacement parts. Extended warranties, which are just insurance contracts, allow for less expensive rebuilt parts.

Caradiodoc

Usually the aftermarket store offers a couple grades of replacement parts. Rebuilt and new and sometimes premium new. Still at a cost much lower in most cases to OEM. Last water pump I did they offered premium new for $60. I chose that because the car was gong off to college. Still it's probably true that OEM is the best quality replacement.