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Be careful buying FEQ axles

Help, Advice and DIY Tutorials on Volvo's P80 platform cars -- Volvo's 1990s "bread and butter" cars -- powered by the ubiquitous and durable Volvo inline 5-cylinder engine.

1992 - 1997 850, including 850 R, 850 T-5R, 850 T-5, 850 GLT
1997 - 2000 S70, S70 AWD
1997 - 2000 V70, V70 AWD
1997 - 2000 V70-XC
1997 - 2004 C70

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MadeInJapan
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Be careful buying FEQ axles

Post by MadeInJapan »

There is a cheap (maybe Chinese) axle being sold by fcp as well as others on the internet. Although I have heard of some folks having no bad luck at all with them, there is a guy who installed one on his 850 and the end piece broke off inside his transmission. FCP was nice enough to send him a replacement, but the second one broke too. Just be aware that you tend to get what you pay for on axles. Here is the thread if anyone wants to read about this: http://volvospeed.com/vs_forum/index.ph ... driveaxels
'98 S70 T5 Emrld Grn Met/Beige Tons of Upgrades Mobil-1
'04 V70 2.5T Red/Taupe Some Upgrades Mobil-1
'07 S40 T5 AWD 6 speed manual! Silver/Black Stage1 Heico & Elevate
'07 S60 2.5T Blue/Taupe- my kid's Volvo

chuckcintron
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Post by chuckcintron »

They are indeed Chinese.

While I'd agree that they are likely not up to the quality level of USA, Japan or German equivalent parts, I don't know if the experience of this one person is a good sample.

It seems odd that he's now had two consecutive replacement axles on his car break, the same way.

Could be that there is a series of bad production run FEQ axles out there...or it could be that there is something about his car, or the way the axle is being installed, that is causing this failure.

I'm up to 4,000 miles and four months on my FEQ both L/R. No problems to report so far. Many other folks report no issues with FEQ. Of course, if mine break within the next couple of months I'll be back here telling everyone what garbage they are! :wink:

-Chuck
1997 855GLT

tailor
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Post by tailor »

Hi to all on the forum.

I just received my axels, left and right, one FEQ the other Wonh, or I should say is Wonh.
As you can see I have one bigger nut(I can hear the laughter) I do not want to appear to be a madman but I am wondering how the difference in nuts will effect performance( I think this post will be just full of puns)
As tailor this is not such a strange thing as thebody is not equal, however I try stay away from the nuts.

I find it odd that FCP would send different makes of axels with differing nuts after I specified the vehicle and year that I have. ( I am calling them shortly and will post back the answer )
According to the Haynes manual there was a change from the 20mm staked nut which had to be replaced if disturbed (pre 1995) to the reusable 22 mm nut.

I do have a single stake, staked nut presently on my car. I am thinking that once the new three staked nut is tightened to torgue the thread on the axel will be toasted because I can hand turn the staked nut only so far and then it binds on the threads, am I missing a step here?

Any thoughts would be welcome

tailor
1994 850 Auto Turbo wagon 306000km (Sold)
2004 XC90 AWD 188000km

"Life is like a reel to reel tape recorder,
the closer you get to the end,
the faster it spins."
Abe Gottschalk

tailor
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Post by tailor »

Image
1994 850 Auto Turbo wagon 306000km (Sold)
2004 XC90 AWD 188000km

"Life is like a reel to reel tape recorder,
the closer you get to the end,
the faster it spins."
Abe Gottschalk

tailor
Posts: 570
Joined: 12 November 2006
Year and Model: 2004 XC90 2.5T AWD
Location: Toronto
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Post by tailor »

Just spoke to customer service at FCP, they assure not a problem with different sizes.
I have to give credit to FCP they will send me a matching sized axe and credit me for the shipping.
So heads up anyone who orders, specify you want matching axels.Seems like a natural thing to do but it is often obvious that is overlooked,do not assume(ass out of u and me)

Tailor
1994 850 Auto Turbo wagon 306000km (Sold)
2004 XC90 AWD 188000km

"Life is like a reel to reel tape recorder,
the closer you get to the end,
the faster it spins."
Abe Gottschalk

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