Parts website suggestions
 

Hello all,

My car needs some suspension parts (lower control arms and strut mounts).

Do you have any suggestions where to get them?

I’m looking to save money, hence why I’m looking for suggestions of different sites I can try. I’ve already been on Euro Car Parts, so I’ve got an idea of price off there.

Are there any others that you recommend? Your help is appreciated.

Hi Kev,

My first choice would be to contact FRF Volvo in Swansea, they supply genuine Volvo parts and often are reasonable prices, Email Chris with VIN and vehicle details in Subject Field. Contact details for Chris Harris copied below, very busy and I always email as difficult to get through on the phone.

Chris Harris
Parts Advisor
T.01792 310999
chrisharris@frf-motors.co.uk
FRF Volvo
Registered Office. FRF (SOUTH WALES) LTD, Neath Road Swansea SA6 8HF
Registration No. 06793412

Make sure you quote the discount code for VOC members. I think its C00003????

Others you could try are Simon at Brookhouse

https://www.classicvolvoparts.co.uk/

They are difficult to get hold of by the phone as usually very busy, but the guys know their stuff.

Other website I have used is Parts For Volvos

https://www.partsforvolvosonline.com/

Only used once, and no issues.

Various others, Skandix et al and all the other EU sites but postage gets rather pricey.

Hope that may assist.

Cheers
Steve

Meyle Heavy Duty from a genuine supplier on the likes of ebay. Shocks and struts try Bilstein B4 if you want to keep the original ride. If you want to be doing the same job in a few months time the likes of eurocr*p are fine.

meyle parts arms droplinks shocks ect A to Z car parts halifax or try Harrods car parts in marple iv had good parts and service from both of these suppliers .

Thanks for the replies guys, much appreciated.

Question... Do I need to replace the strut mounts, or can I just replace the bearings? I assume its the bearing that causes trouble, not the actual mount???

For reference, this is the part I mean (strut mount);

https://www.onlinecarparts.co.uk/sachs-7890474.html

Do I need this? ^

Or can I just replace the bearing on its own? Link for reference;

https://www.onlinecarparts.co.uk/feb...n-1887509.html

Or do I need both, the strut mounts and bearings?

With regards to the control arms, I know cheshired5 (member on here) used Meyle parts on his suspension and he seemed happy with them. I've noticed there's two options from Meyle for control arms... I assume one is just a "normal" control arm and one is heavy duty? Do I really need the heavy duty ones?

I'm not familiar with your specific model of car. However on the older models I find it is usually the mount that fails. Given that the strut needs dismantling to fit, I would always replace mount and bearing.

With regards Meyle: I only fit Heavy Duty, they are in most cases better made than Volvo original.

I’d replace the bearing and strut top, plus the bump stops and the sleeve thingy on the damper that always falls disintegrates on removal. The reason being that if you’re going to the trouble of spring compressors and all the dismantling you’d regret not having the parts ready for all of it.

I’d be happy with Meyle and also go for HD parts.

Be careful dismantling the struts, belt and braces on the spring compressors and eye protection just in case. An impact wrench speeds it up a lot too. :regular_smile:

So are the “ordinary” Meyle control arms no good? I see people praise the heavy duty ones, but what’s so good about them?

Is going “heavy duty” over the top? If I got a set of control arms from Volvo, they aren’t heavy duty? If I’m not mistaken, I think they’re Lemforder.

if your arms are the aluminium type the difference between standard and hd is the quality of the rubber mounting bushes. casting are the same part. Volvo ones are slightly more expensive than meyle meyle ones have a 4 year warranty.

I believe mine are the steel ones, like this;

https://www.onlinecarparts.co.uk/car...rand%5B%5D=152

Ordinary/normal Meyle are £85 ish each, HD are around £104 each.