Febi Control Arms - Initial Review

Post by **mecheng** » 13 Apr 2016, 10:45

Febi Control Arms - Initial Review: I thought I'd add an initial review because there is not much info out there on control arm build quality / longevity other than 'Lemforder is the best'. In my area, they are also quite expensive $140, versus $85 for the Febi.

The build quality on the Febi seems very good, I don't see any noticeable difference in the design or build. The part as indicated on the box has global components from Germany, Italy, Taiwan and China. The ball joint has Germany written on it; that is what failed on my original control arms.

I suspect the casting is done in China because energy is very cheap there; then it is sent to Taiwan for precision machining, then to Germany for final assembly of the German made ball joint and probably Italian made rubber bushings. You need high quality, hard steel for ball joints, and German steel is known to be very good for this.

I'll update this when the part has some mileage on it, initial impressions are good though.

Post by **theWIFES_S70** » 13 Apr 2016, 11:09

I agree, the build quality of the Febis are reassuring. I'll post some pictures of my Febis at just under a year old... They're a little "rusty," unlike the OEM Volvos I took off which didn't have any rust on them at all... But they seem fine. But I haven't really inspected them closely.

Post by **sleddriver** » 13 Apr 2016, 12:14

When mine were due, I initially went with Meyle. However, the ball joints moved too easily for me and they felt "rough" like they weren't completely filled with grease nor machined smooth. I compared them to Lemforders at a dealer, which were very, very stiff yet smooth when they yielded to pressure. Thus I installed the later.

Post by **rguzz** » 13 Apr 2016, 13:16

I'd agree most Meyle stuff is junk, especially the rubber components, like control arm bushings, strut mounts. The Meyle HD stuff might be better depending on what it is. Febi-Bilstein is made all over the planet so it's a crap shoot depending on what it is as well. They stamp their label on all kinds of stuff. After market anything in general is worse than ever IME. Never seen it so bad, for the most part.

Post by **xHeart** » 13 Apr 2016, 14:16

I am really happy with TRW with 40k+ miles.

beigg · Post by **beigg** » 13 Apr 2016, 14:55

Until the ball joint is serviceable for typical maintenance, I go based on price. Experienced with pretty much all volvo CA options for brand, none impressed me to justify the offset cost.

huzzsaba · Post by **huzzsaba** » 13 Apr 2016, 15:05

I bought febi control arms many years back and they both failed within 6 months (ball joints). Hopefully they have improved them by now.

Post by **chrafael** » 13 Apr 2016, 18:40

My TRWs are about two years old, seem to holding up fine.

Post by **mecheng** » 14 Apr 2016, 08:15

The ball joint on the Febi was very smooth and tight (no slop). Comes with new bolts.

Yes, TRW makes very good parts. I didn't know they make control arms, I know they are OE for their tie rods.

To add, the Lemforder control arm that failed had 180,000km and is original. It had a lot of play in the ball joint, everything else on it was okay.

Post by **xHeart** » 19 Apr 2016, 13:30

TRW makes steering gear/rack, including tie rod. It is OE on our 97' 850.