# Accident Repair **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** cherokee, jeep\ **Created:** [January 3, 2010, 12:17am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/accident-repair/41738 "2010-01-03T00:17:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![rundog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@rundog](https://community.cartalk.com/u/rundog)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2010, 12:17am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/accident-repair/41738/1 "2010-01-03T00:17:34Z")
I recently wrecked my jeep, and the repair/insurance co. want to use a non-OEM part for the steering gear assembly (right front tire). Is this a pretty safe part to use a non-OEM? They also want $565 for a reconditioned front right wheel. That’s all the estimate says “wheel, front”. That cannot be correct, can it? The steering knuckle is listed separately at $217. ---
**Author:** ![Xebadaih](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/d07c76/32.png) [@Xebadaih](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Xebadaih)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2010, 12:22am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/accident-repair/41738/2 "2010-01-03T00:22:03Z")
Parts from aftermarket manufacturers are fine as long as they are from a reputable brand. If insurance is paying for these repairs, the shop is going to charge the most they can because most insurance companies will not scrutinize a few extra hundred dollars. ---
**Author:** ![Caddyman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/caddyman/32/23_2.png) [@Caddyman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Caddyman)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2010, 12:57am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/accident-repair/41738/3 "2010-01-03T00:57:35Z")
What kind of wheels are that Grand?? ---
**Author:** ![meaneyedcatz](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/meaneyedcatz/32/692_2.png) [@meaneyedcatz](https://community.cartalk.com/u/meaneyedcatz)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2010, 6:21am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/accident-repair/41738/4 "2010-01-03T06:21:07Z")
Are you sure the gear box will be aftermarket? Most likely the estimate says LKQ meaning “like kind & quality”. In laymans terms it is a used OE part off of a salvage vehicle. If not that the insurance company might include a rebuild OE part. $565 sounds more like a new rim. I can buy reman rims for Grand Cherokees all day for $179. Even an chromed reman can be had for $300 and change. I suggest asking the insurance company or body shop what the estimate says. ---
**Author:** ![rundog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@rundog](https://community.cartalk.com/u/rundog)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2010, 2:55pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/accident-repair/41738/5 "2010-01-03T14:55:22Z")
Yes, the estimate for the gear assembly says “non-OEM part”. The estimate includes separate codes for recycled, reconditioned, and aftermarket parts. Since other parts they are using do say recycled or recond., I assumed that the non-OEM is a new part, just not manufactured by Jeep. The front wheel states that it is reconditioned. Maybe it is the wheel AND the rim? I will call Monday and ask. So, in summary, the steering knuckle is OEM, the front wheel reconditioned, and the gear box non-OEM. I thought that sounded like a lot. The non-OEM gear box is $558. Yikes! ---
**Author:** ![rundog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@rundog](https://community.cartalk.com/u/rundog)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2010, 2:55pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/accident-repair/41738/6 "2010-01-03T14:55:34Z")
No kidding!