P80 delta link time 3516122

vovo850 · Post by **vovo850** » 06 Oct 2019, 13:42

I think it's that time to tackle this job. (not looking forward to it.)
For those that have done this, is it worth going the aftermarket route or OEM?
There is quite the substantial price difference on the parts.
I've been trying to stay OEM, especially since I have to replace my aftermarket control arm due to the bushing going bad.

rsp · Post by **rsp** » 06 Oct 2019, 14:12

I did them all a while back. As I recall I used the aftermarket parts when available. They all worked fine and have held up as well since. Quite the job but well worth it. Much improved tracking and stability for the rear end. Hint: I drilled out the rubber in the old links before trying to pull them out. A bit of grease and a sledge worked for installation of the new ones.

Best of luck.

Scott Peper
95 855 T5R

vovo850 · Post by **vovo850** » 06 Oct 2019, 17:13

how many miles and years since? I've made the decision at this point to keep this thing going for another 10 if possible,.
Putting way more into repairs than its worth

Post by **abscate** » 06 Oct 2019, 17:38

Then it’s OEm parts for you. Expect cheap,stuff to,last 1-2 years

vovo850 · Post by **vovo850** » 06 Oct 2019, 18:00

abscate wrote: ↑06 Oct 2019, 17:38 Then it’s OEm parts for you. Expect cheap,stuff to,last 1-2 years

that is pretty much the rule I get it, but sometimes there are exceptions and at 200+ a pop well it might just be time to buy junk tires than.. I just can't believe how expensive that part is..

rsp · Post by **rsp** » 06 Oct 2019, 18:15

Wow your horizon is way beyond mine! I did mine about 3 years ago. All’s great so far. Of course this a low mileage use vehicle. I probably do about 3,000 miles per year. Not a real test sled. With 350k plus on the clock definitely not my daily family grocery go-getter. Regardless, given it’s manual swap, absolutely my favorite Volvo to drive.

BTW this is a green T5R wagon that is way rare. Robert DYI refers to it as an unicorn.

vovo850 · Post by **vovo850** » 06 Oct 2019, 18:30

well 10 years is a bit overkill but hey why not.. I already have owned it for 10 years.
I was going to get rid of it a while back but after seeing what was available in the area in the range I wanted to pay.
It just made sense at the time to sink it back into the volvo. It's been a really good car.
But 400+ for the rear geesh that's like 10 years of used tires hehe

Post by **erikv11** » 06 Oct 2019, 19:34

I went aftermarket but it's my winter/beater car, the 96 NA wagon. I am right at 3 years now they are holding up great, although the first winter I was shocked to see the bright orange patina of rust setting in after only a couple months.

You could buy aftermarket from FCP and be prepared to do the labor again in a few years with free replacement parts ...

Post by **abscate** » 06 Oct 2019, 19:42

You can google “ price anchoring” to see how your brain works in a flawed way when you see a cheap price on a part. Other than using cheap metal and rubber, it’s identical to a Volvo part. Unfortunately , it’s only metal and rubber.

It can be 12 hours to do delta links if they fight you.

400 bucks over 100,000 miles is 0.4 cents per mile. You spend more on tires than that.

vovo850 · Post by **vovo850** » 06 Oct 2019, 19:50

I won't (seriously doubt) be putting a 100k on it in 10 years, maybe half that. 30 a tire mounted and balanced is easily a tire a year.
so factor in 12 hours of labor also.. being in the rust belt like you, I'm sure it's going be a fight.
I have no issue spending money on a part but when you see OEM almost 7 times the cost of aftermarket, it makes sense to question if the part is that cheap or worthy of installing.
I do plan on going the FCP route, 213 for OEM vs 33 chinese.