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Aftermarket parts

I have worked on the Volvos I have owned for the past 15 years. I have always replaced parts with Volvo parts. I am now working on an '88 745 that has a seized piston in the caliper.

This car now belongs to my father-in-law who is on a fixed income. The part from Volvo is going to cost me probably about $110 (with my VCOA membership) but an imported parts dude will sell me an aftermarket caliper for $39.

My father-in-law had someone else put on some Raybestos pads and after

11,000 miles there is virtually no wear - but the rotors look marginal at best. I am throwing the pads away and am putting Volvo pads back on.

I have always felt that you get what you pay for, but I also don't want to be duped by Volvo pricing. Any thoughts out there??

Randy in Pittsburgh

Reply to
Randy Hass
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Many high quality aftermarket parts exist, sometimes better than the OE Volvo part. There are also many substandard aftermarket parts to be found. Generally (but not always) first rate quality brand name aftermarket parts generally work very well. I've been very happy with the selection of Volvo parts sold by

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Most of their parts are from companies which are suppliers to Volvo, but not always.

John

Reply to
John Horner

Once a seized calliper has been removed, it is not difficult to repair, provided that it is not too corroded inside. In the UK, repair kits for most callipers are available for only a few pounds and are presumably available in the US. They comprise just two or three rubber parts - a seal, shroud and valve cap and some rubber grease. Once the calliper is off the car, the easiest way to extract the piston is with a low pressure air line - very carefully - it can rocket out!! Thoroughly clean all the parts, I use metal polish if necessary to remove light corrosion, then fit the new seal and reassemble with a light coating of brake fluid to ease in the piston. Probably less than $10!

Now they make disk pads without asbestos, they are much harder and it is the disk (rotor) that tends to wears rather than the pads. I suspect that the Volvo pads are the same. But replacement disks are not very expensive and are easy to fit.

When available I have normally used non-volvo parts on my 1988 740 for the last 12 years and they have never let me down. However, it is no longer in pristine condition - putting it mildly - although it is still a very reliable runner after 162000 miles. Now replaced by a V70, it is probably soon destined for the scrapyard! Cheers

Reply to
Graham Brownlee

Graham,

Thanks for the info. I was in a bind for time and was highly suspicious of the calipers I found from local stores so I bought it from Volvo. Next time I will try to rebuild it myself, although there was a considerable amount of corrosion. I have an old cylinder hone that may help.

I also bookmarked the parts dealer that John Horner was kind enough to provide. I believe I will give it a shot the next time I need parts. With two Volvos in my fleet, plus my father-in-laws, it seems that there is always something I need.

Thanks again to both for your help.

Cheers, Randy

Reply to
Randy Hass

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