Aftermarket parts

[Randy Hass]

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

 

[John Horner]

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??

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

John

 

[Graham Brownlee]

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

 

[Randy Hass]

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