Front Wishbones...?

[Bonefishblues]

Originally Posted by Clan

well someone has to make them.. Volvo have never worked like that though, they go to a manufacturer with a data sheet of exactly what they want for their cars, for every single part, the desired life span, the accuracy of dimensions, the corrosion resistance, the quality and characteristics of the bush or any other part they require etc , this will not be found on the cheaper ones later issued by the parts manufacturer .

Begging to differ m'Lud. They are cheaper because even at the lower price, the part manufacturer makes more margin from them than they do selling into Volvo. There's zero re-tooling involved, which also means more margin for Lembotherer and the other OEM suppliers - they just sweat their asset harder and the net cost per unit falls.

This idea that they change the spec and make parts out of cheese is a myth IMHO.

To be clear, I am talking OEM suppliers, I am not talking about Ling-Bing Enterprises who make a version of the part and do indeed use Wensleydale (actually they used to use Wensleydale, but the price went up summit rotten, so they use a Wensleydale substitute )

[DickyB V70R]

So, went with Genuine in the end...I dont want Cheese ones..lol

Phoned up FRF Swansea, got through straight away and spoke to Daff who sorted out what i was after with a couple of clicks on his computer.

Fantastic service from FRF as always, made even better with our C3 discount code. Total for 2 Wishbones, 4 Bolts, Vat n Postage was £450...Yep, not cheap..But what is these days...lol

[Kev0607]

Originally Posted by Clan

well someone has to make them.. Volvo have never worked like that though, they go to a manufacturer with a data sheet of exactly what they want for their cars, for every single part, the desired life span, the accuracy of dimensions, the corrosion resistance, the quality and characteristics of the bush or any other part they require etc , this will not be found on the cheaper ones later issued by the parts manufacturer .

I don't believe that's true. If that was the case, parts manufacturers would have to make hundreds or even thousands of variations to parts that already exist. Remember, "Volvo" control arms don't just fit Volvo's... they fit Ford's too (and probably others also). I highly doubt Lemforder would create a special set of control arms for Volvo and another set for Ford for example, and, then do the same for every other manufacturer. Parts fit different models of cars, that's a fact. They aren't different, its just what some believe or a myth as another poster put it.

I know that someone has to make them ultimately, that wasn't the point I was making. If someone is looking to save money, they can buy a Lemforder control arm, which is the same as the one from Volvo and pay less for it. As you said yourself, Volvo don't make the parts... its outsourced to a parts manufacturer. Who better to buy from than the person that made it in the first place? Same as oil filters... I bought a "genuine" oil filter from Volvo, it had a Mann stamp on the filter. Yes I know Volvo don't make oil filters either, but the Mann filter in Mann packaging was a few quid cheaper... is it different to the Volvo one? I don't think so.

Originally Posted by DickyB V70R

Kev, i hear where you are coming from...But how can we be sure...?

Without technical data sheets and proper analysis, we probably don't. I've seen a Lemforder control arm and a "genuine" Volvo one and they look identical... Even the markings on them are in the same place, the material used, the bushings... I seen or felt no difference. The difference was price.

[DickyB V70R]

Update on this.

All went well with fitting the new Control Arms, also renewed the Ball Joints
while we had it all apart as one had a bit of play in it.
Its made the car feel nice and solid again, brakes nice and straight and no pulling to either side. Also had two new new tyres on the front .

Went in for its MOT yesterday...Passed with flying colours...