BUYER BEWARE!!!

[BlindRhino]

Ok, So I thought I had ran across a good deal...BUT it is fake. I need your help in identifying the part. Here are some pics of what this guy is calling a "TOP END REAR STRUT BRACE" and selling on Ebay. If anyone has the real thing can you help me verify that your welds and fitment are not this crappy and that the whole unit is painted and no raw metal is exposed. So that when I contact Top End to let them know someone is fraudulently selling their parts I have some knowledge of what one actually looks like first hand.

Thanks much!

Russ

[TobyB]

well, it can't be real because a 2002 doesn't have rear struts...

t

[BlindRhino]

Sorry, that is what he called it. It is the rear shock brace. Here are a couple other pics.

Thanks,

Russ

[dirk2602]

The real deal.

[BlindRhino]

Thanks Dirk. Wow and even painted all over!

[Chamonix72]

That does look like their product. However, the TEP braces are fully painted. Seems as though someone took upon himself to strip the paint...Maybe to repaint? Who knows.

[BlindRhino]

It looks like one, but the corners do not touch, the metal is bare and sharp. I wish I knew how big the holes are in the TEP one, and as well if all the welds are so bad on a TEP one. I can't wait to see what TEP replies to the email I sent.

[Chamonix72]

Yeah, I took a second look at your pictures. Something just not right about that fake. I know a couple of folks here in the Seattle area that are running the real thing. I'm interested in what TEP has to say.

[dirk2602]

The hole in the TEP brace is exactly 1" and the brace is powder coated, not painted.

[Harv]

A LOOOOOG time ago (15 years?) a friend bought a set from TEP and he ended up sending them back. They looked like a 5 year old made em. TEP took them back with no questions. The ones I have are fairly nice.

Maybe it was from back in that day... Maybe the same set?

John

[BlindRhino]

Well, I just ran to the garage and the holes are 1-1/2". No powdercoat.

SO...two things.

1.Don't anyone buy any on ebay that are not real and can not be verified.

2.I reported to EBAY as well as TEP. Wonder if anything will come of it.

Thanks guys for the help verifying! I have to say just being newer to the '02 community this is the best car forum out there.

Thanks,

Russ

[c.d.iesel]

that first photo above is a junque copy indeed!

my bars were from 1999/0

I know from their 'early' catalog that there has been

slight mods to their 'batches'

and they are powder coated - not painted

[alp]

I was going to say that the tubes look to be of different diameter also. Looks like a poor copy or a poor real one. There is no holes on the left side to mount the power shut off switch also.

[dirk2602]

.... There is no holes on the left side to mount the power shut off switch also.

The battery cut-off switch is optional on the TEP brace

[dirk2602]

Ok, So I thought I had ran across a good deal...BUT it is fake.

Sorry that you are going through this, and sorry for me asking, but didn't you request pictures BEFORE buying this brace on eBay.