Volvo Parts hard to find?

[eldorado98]

I have two Volvos, a XC70 and a C70. I always seem to have problems when new parts are installed in my cars. I keep reading on these forums that you must use Volvo parts but they are also problems.
My question is.. If Volvo is making more new cars than ever and the brand is becoming more popular why are parts such a problem. Did Ford change Volvo that much? Is the Chinese owner now making Volvo parts and cheapening the brand. Just curious as to what the problem is

[jimmy57]

I really don't know what you are talking about. I work on cars a lot and every brand I work on has non-oem parts available that are not always good quality and sometimes have fitment and durability issues. When I use genuine Volvo parts they work and fit well and last well.
Have you got more specifics on what your question is based on?

[eldorado98]

My mechanic works only on Saabs and Volvos. He tells me he is aware that you must use Volvo parts. Actually most of the info I get is on the forums. Seems to be a lot of parts problems and I notice lately a lot of reference to defective parts made in China. That's what lead me to ask if Volvo is being affected by the Chinese takeover

[Ozark Lee]

Thus far, and it is actually too early to tell, the OEM parts are still of high quality in terms of fit but I am noticing more "Made in China" stickers on boxes and time will tell if they hold up.

There are some very good aftermarket suppliers but sadly there are even more that are shoddy. There are also some transitional lines that are living off of their good reputation while they have begun to ship Chinese made products. Brembo comes to mind immediately.

Made in China doesn't necessarily mean junk. Their manufacturing processes are usually very good but the problems seem to be in the quality of the steel and QC problems.

From my observations and experience anything that says ScanTech is junk. Their parts will bolt on just fine but you will need to be bolting on a new replacement typically within 6 months. ScanTech has such a bad reputation that they have largely disappeared from suppliers shelves and those that still have ScanTech products won't identify them by name. They instead use a generic "Aftermarket" term to describe the product.

APA/Euro stepped in to fill that void but many of their parts are as bad, or even worse, than ScanTech. Particularly parts that use rubber like hoses and mounts.

Sensors are always a problem because the cars are so picky about them.

In my mind the most insidious parts are the parts that are out and out counterfeits. They have an OEM supplier name on the box but they are no where close to OEM in fitment and quality. There is obviously some huge markup involved as some of the more trusted suppliers continue to sell them even though they know that they are fake and they know that they won't fit properly.

As far as auto parts store parts go there is very little to choose from in the first place and if they do list something it likely won't fit correctly. The exception to that rule is CarQuest. They purchased a specialty import parts company called WorldPac and they have many of the parts you will need either in stock or a phone call away to the warehouse.

Even with the availability at WorldPac the same rules apply on brand names as they do carry some stuff from ScanTech and APA/Euro. Some stuff I get from WorldPac actually has the Volvo sticker on the bag.

At the end of the day my life is too short to call everyone, find out who the actual supplier of the parts are, and then split the order between numerous vendors. The Volvo Dealerships will still bend you over the counter and make you squeal if you walk up and try to buy something but most of them have web sites with very competitive pricing. In my case I can place an on-line order at my local dealership website and pick it up either the same day or the next day at the counter and save the shipping charges. For the moment at least I am also avoiding sales tax.

Convenience and highest quality parts for about the same money as the aftermarket guys - What's not to like?

Try to use one of the dealership links such as Volvo Country Parts to see how they stack up. If you use Tasca Parts be wary of the shipping and handling charges which can rapidly eat up your savings.

...Lee

[eldorado98]

Great response. Thanks Lee

[jimmy57]

The purchase of Volvo by Zhejiang Holdings has no effect whatsoever on the reason you see Chinese parts. They are everywhere for every car make. Car manufacturers can't stop those parts from being made unless the parts violates the law by using genuine manufacturer markings. Some parts used in the original manufacture of a lot of domestic and offshore brand vehicles are sourced in China now. I have a 2006 Ford truck with rear suspension leaf spring brackets visibly stamped "Made In China" and they are the original parts.

[mercuric]

There are some very good aftermarket suppliers but sadly there are even more that are shoddy. There are also some transitional lines that are living off of their good reputation while they have begun to ship Chinese made products. Brembo comes to mind immediately.

Made in China doesn't necessarily mean junk. Their manufacturing processes are usually very good but the problems seem to be in the quality of the steel and QC problems.

Exactly, and this goes beyond automotive parts... Products in general are experiencing both these situations -- Both that brands are riding on their existing name to ship outsource-manufactured stuff.. and that not everything from China is junk.

Supplier QC has actually become big business -- I've worked for several OEMs (not automotive, though) that get large percentages of original hard parts from their Chinese OEMs. They had whole teams of people who would inspect supplier facilities, supplier processes and the end product they made.

There is decent stuff coming out of China, but mainly from facilities that are closely audited by the OEMs who they sell the parts to. Without careful oversight, it seems the norm that they'll cut as many corners as possible. There is otherwise little accountability and no reason to go the extra mile, especially when the real goal of the OEM is saving money, not helping the supplier make money. So they cut every little corner they can. After all, they're not getting the bid if another supplier is a cent cheaper.

Personally, it's a horrid business model driven by profit-hungry OEMs that assume their reputation won't be destroyed... Or don't care if it is.