DIY: 1998 V70 REAR Cam Seals using SKF 11809 9443310

[cn90]

Interesting because according to SKF website, both 11809 (info on 1st page) and 692359 (your photo) have the exact same attributes.
http://www.skfpartsinfo.com/

Width = 0.276
Shaft = 1.181
Bore = 1.85

Personally, I'd not worry b/c REAR cam seal job is relatively easy if you ever have to redo it.
For the FRONT cam seals, I'd stick to Volvo OEM ($18 at dealer) or Corteco ($8 at rmeuropean etc.).

[rspi]

I immediately went after the last set of cams I removed that still had cam seals on them. These new seals seem to fit well, just don't have the look of the old seals, red/grey two tone construction. Lot cheaper than the $35 each price that the local dealer quoted me.

I think I'm going to stop by the dealer and see what their seals NOW look like. I agree with your logic about the rear vs front seal replacement jobs.

[dosbricks]

As I recall, the SKF 11809 that I ordered from rockauto.com said Made in Taiwan. They were red/grey and looked exactly like the OE. Just a nibble for thought.

[xHeart]

Contacted the local SKF distributor and gave them all of the info off of the box on page 1, to have them order me some seals. Went to pick up my order today and this is what I got... The end is near. :twisted:

seal.jpg

Coke tastes same everywhere.
Apple iPhone is same everywhere too.
What makes us think SKF would be any different?

[dosbricks]

Unless you consider there are so many knocked-off iPhones in China that they probably outnumber the real ones.

[rspi]

Well, for starters, they look different.

Also, I have been to about 15 different countries and I promise you that Coke does not taste the same.

[mecheng]

I think it is a relatively low tech part, a coil spring, some metal overmolded in rubber that it can be made anywhere. I don't like seeing Made in China either but for simple stuff they are okay.

For OEM Volvo parts, that were once made in Germany, a lot are now being made in Spain, Czech, Slovokia, but I haven't noticed any decrease in quality. I'm acutally surprised they didn't use their now Chinese ownership to make stuff in China.

[cn90]

It is all in QC (Quality Control).

The factory Volvo WP is made by Aisin, not in Japan, but in Slovakia. It is an outstanding product that easily lasts some 180K-200K. Why? Because the Japanese QC program is very strict.
Ditto for many Bosch products.

The seal is a cheap product: metal cup, garter spring and elastomer compound. If done properly, the elastomer lasts some 150K and no matter what material, it is hardened at that time. The garter spring rarely fails. So most seals leak simply because they harden with time.

On being a cheap product...it is cheap but it is not cheap. Cheap in price, but labor to replace seal is usually extensive. This is why when in doubt, use dealer seal. Google Corteco if you want dealer seal for $8.

[dosbricks]

....I don't like seeing Made in China either but for simple stuff they are okay.

For OEM Volvo parts, that were once made in Germany, a lot are now being made in Spain, Czech, Slovokia, but I haven't noticed any decrease in quality. I'm acutally surprised they didn't use their now Chinese ownership to make stuff in China.

Very true. But this past summer, I bought Volvo OE rotors from FCP--made in China and poorly machined.

[mecheng]

Is the original Aisin WP fitted to these cars Made in Slovakia, or just the replacement?
Eastern Europe isn't bad; wages are lower, but they still typically source the raw components from the Mother country. It is part of the EU so they abide by strict factory laws.

With China, the reason there is a lot of apprehension is because sometimes they are immoral and the factory cuts corners to make more money. Or, the raw material: ie: steel is locally sourced from crappy high recycled content steel. This is sometimes the issue with their rotors; they can warp easier. Even Brembo shipped some production from Italy to China and a lot of ppl complain with issues.

By far, the worst is buying from a Chinese design company. They simply copy the competitors but miss alot of the important details. This is the kinda stuff you buy and don't really care if it lasts, like a BBQ brush.