RE: Trailing arm link Volvo OE v's Lemforder

Post by **scot850** » 26 Feb 2017, 10:43

I'm thinking of buying the trailing arm links while on sale at FCP Euro. The rubber portions on my 2000 project V70 look pretty perished. They may not need done right now but as the car had a strange movement from the rear when I was driving, I may buy a couple to keep ready.

Question is: I have not had to replace these on a FWD as it has been nearly 20 years since I had one before so not a job or part I am familiar with. I know to change them is a big challenge, but what about part quality? FCP has about 4 variants on there: Volvo OE, Lemforder, Pro Parts Sweden and Febi. There is a huge variation in price from around $30 to over $200 for the OE part. I'm leaning toward the Lemforder at lower than half the price of OE, but 3 times the price of the other 2.

Opinions please?

Volvo Trailing Arm Link (850 C70 S70 V70) - Part # 3516122

Thanks,

Neil.

Post by **rspi** » 26 Feb 2017, 11:03

There is a good chance that the Lemforder is the supplier to Volvo.

Post by **erikv11** » 26 Feb 2017, 11:11

I did this job last fall on my NA. Based on feedback from this forum I used the Pro Parts Sweden items. Just last week I was a little taken aback to see they have picked up a bright red rusty coating already. The links seem to be working fine so far of course, since 5 months is not much of a test. That car is a utility vehicle not a garage queen. so right now the jury i still out, maybe it will turn out to be an OK choice. But for something like a highway car I was going to drive for several years to come I might go want to get something better, given how much effort is involved. Obviously Lemforder has a good reputation, especially if there is any good feedback from actual users of this part, they might be my choice.

Post by **scot850** » 26 Feb 2017, 12:22

Thanks Robert and Erik for the quick replies.

I must say I have bought a few Pro-Parts Sweden parts recently and have to say that they may not be the highest quality relative to the OE parts the parts I have used are non-mission critical with the exception of the parking brake cables I have just fitted. Even those while they are a little 'light weight' relative to the OE parts I removed, for the number of times I use them they should be ok. The only difference was the cables seem to stretch more than the OE. When adjusted up, the OE ones can pull tight in 3-4 clicks. No matter how tight I adjust the cables, it takes 7-8 with these, but they do lock the parking brakes effectively but I won't be able to check 100% until the car is back on the road.

On the FCP website they claim that Lemforder is the OEM. They have a new identifier on the parts now to that effect.

Neil.

Post by **misha** » 26 Feb 2017, 15:54

Lemforder & Febi will be excellent replacement...Moog,Delphi,Trw,Meyle or Meyle HD would be also trusted and quality brands.
Somebody mentioned before that Pro Parts is re-branded Scan Tech.
However,i would stay away from non reputable brands like Pro Parts.

Post by **scot850** » 26 Feb 2017, 17:41

Thanks misha. We can always rely on you for good input. I wasn't sure on the Febi parts as some of them are now made in China. Not sure how/if that will affect the quality and endurance of their parts. Problem also is you don't know where it was made until it arrives. Need to think on that as their price is less than half that of Lemforder on sale!

Neil.

Post by **oragex** » 26 Feb 2017, 18:08

Pro Parts Sweden run from these

I put Febi spring seats, made in Germany. One year later one was cracked

Lemforder is the only way to go when it comes to bushings

I've heard a few people using Moog with good results, but there were too few people to conclude

Post by **erikv11** » 26 Feb 2017, 18:42

oragex wrote:... I've heard a few people using Moog with good results, but there were too few people to conclude

You've heard of a few? I've not heard of a single Moog user on these rear trailing arm bushings, interesting.

Post by **misha** » 27 Feb 2017, 02:21

Moog is Federal Mogul for quite a long time.They have excellent quality suspension parts.
I used them on my Xm...inner tie rods,sway bar links.

@oragex....
It's not Febi that made it failed in a year....simply you can't install nothing else except oem when it comes to spring seats.Even oem ones are struggling to last.Passenger's side always go first,but driver's side lasts for a loooong looong time.
Monroe is close enough to oem,which is Sachs btw.

@scot850
Everything is made in China these days including our beloved Volvo brand.Does it mean that it is bad?No!
Febi,Bosch,Valeo...all of them have the same quality control which is not market or country dependable.
Mercedes,Vw were assembled in China long before that was revealed in public,but that is a public secret.

Post by **oragex** » 27 Feb 2017, 06:07

erikv11 wrote:
oragex wrote:... I've heard a few people using Moog with good results, but there were too few people to conclude
You've heard of a few? I've not heard of a single Moog user on these rear trailing arm bushings, interesting.

I should have mentioned, I wasn't referring specifically to trailing arms, but rather about suspension parts involving bushings perhaps control arms.