2002 s60 2.4T Control Arm kit brands - Which one?

[Homebrand]

Hi All,

Have been over the control arm brand questions but I want to triple check current thinking on the brands.
I need to replace the control arms and sway bar end linkages.
I want to replace the complete unit as I don't have a press and with the cost factor don't see real value in just replacing the bushings.

I have three options -
Volvo Dealer:
Control arm Right and Left $410AUD each
Sway bar linkages $130AUD each


Europarts Suspension Kit which includes all the above and extras approx. $550 AUD delivered
Brands in the kit are "Professional Parts" and "febi" and "Karlyn"
http://www.eeuroparts.com/Parts/50898/S ... 102K10005/


FCP euro:
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/volvo- ... s60cakit2l
Lemforder Control arms and end sway bar links with fixing hardware about $550 AUD delivered


Whilst I get more items in the europarts kit, I am worried about the feedback on certain brands.

The online deals even with the $120ish postage are approximately half the price of the Volvo dealership, so that rules Volvo dealership out of the equation.

Am I best going with the Lemforder branded product for longer term reliability?


Thanks for your opinions.

[oragex]

It depends how long you are keeping the car. If it's for more than an year, the control arms must be either Volvo or Lemforder - both bushings on the control arm, as some display as Lemforder but with Febi rear bushing.

[Normix]

It depends how long you are keeping the car. If it's for more than an year, the control arms must be either Volvo or Lemforder - both bushings on the control arm, as some display as Lemforder but with Febi rear bushing.

oragex, I have bought that kit from that seller from ebay, the front bushings wear gone for only 23k km, rear bushings are ok right now. I drive softly, try to dont make demages to my car. And the front ones are made on Poland, but the rear ends are made in Germany.
Now I have bought Lemforders, lets see, how long they will be good.

[Homebrand]

Definetly keeping longer than a year. Bringing it back to mechanical A1 condition as well as interior care.

Lemforder is the go then as Volvo OE are hideously expensive.
Going to pick a few other items up at the same time as freight is already expensive might as well make the most of it!

[GBS]

Sounds like you've decided but I saw IPD has new HD control arms for some P2's. I like IPD products and might go that way next time. I did this on our V70 45k miles ago and bought Scan-Tech, I've had no issues though I've read some give really bad reviews of those. Given the reviews I probably won't recommend them but personally mine are working fine.

For end links I went with Meyle HD but if I remember right they do not have the hex counter hold and instead just a small notch close to the boot so install and removal I find is harder than original....

[oragex]

It depends how long you are keeping the car. If it's for more than an year, the control arms must be either Volvo or Lemforder - both bushings on the control arm, as some display as Lemforder but with Febi rear bushing.

oragex, I have bought that kit from that seller from ebay, the front bushings wear gone for only 23k km, rear bushings are ok right now. I drive softly, try to dont make demages to my car. And the front ones are made on Poland, but the rear ends are made in Germany.
Now I have bought Lemforders, lets see, how long they will be good.

Were you refering to these ones ? http://www.ebay.com/itm/380805521482?_t ... EBIDX%3AIT

The seller says are OEM, but we never know.. he might have put cheap bushings in Volvo package. They should be stamped on the bushing side, it would be interesting to know what it's stamped although it's not easy to see once installed. I bought from another seller the front bushings in Lemforder, I checked the number stamped and it was the original Volvo number if I remember well.

[Homebrand]

Sounds like you've decided but I saw IPD has new HD control arms for some P2's. I like IPD products and might go that way next time.

I'll have another look at the IPD. They have some other items such as mounts I also need. Trying to get all parts I need in the one place as the postage cost is a fair amount (especially for single items).


As for eBay, unless I am certain it is what they say it is I won't purchase there (I love eBay otherwise). Prices from the online stores are comparable and I would hope they don't misrepresent their parts.

[GBS]

No doubt, $120 shipping definitely makes it worth consolidating items.... I live fairly close to IPD and I've visited their shop, they're great people. I've missed on a few items but I think that's because I'm a total budget shopper. Little things like not having a hex counter on the end links matter a lot to me as in that particular case its easy to press the boot off the link when installing, or uninstalling, unless you have a very narrow open ended wrench. I recommend asking questions first to make sure it fits and is what your looking for, their response time is very quick. Also, I sometimes find better deals or better configured kits for what I'm looking for at FCP so I always check both.

[precopster]

Take a look at Rexbo Car Parts in Germany. Exchange rate to Aussie dollar is now about 1.5 They sent me some timing kits with DHL however 3 weeks is normal. Most small orders ship for 33 Euro.

They have a bunch of Febi parts however they don't stock control arms. Look at the INA timing parts while you're there.

Don't skimp on ball joint brand. Lemfoerder is best from FCP. Most non genuine cheapies are made too large for the steering knuckle and will chew away at the aluminium because they don't seat properly.

Also locally there's Sandwood but their control arms are Pro Parts which doesn't impress me at all.

[Homebrand]

Thanks for the replies.
I'll triple check the requirements/fitment by contacting them.
Just realised I may need a wheel alignment after i do the control arms! Damn, Just had the wheels balanced and aligned a week or so ago.
I really need to review the order in which i am doing things to the car.
B