Very poor quality parts.
Discussion
A friend bought some bits for his car from a company that might be named similar to Button auto F****rs.
The parts were a drop link and lower ball joint, bought and fitted in October 2010, and a track rod end, bough and fitted in December 2010. The car has done less than 3000 miles since the first bits were fitted in October.
He asked me to check it over today, as there were some knocking noises coming from the front. We knew that both front wishbones had worn bushes, and he had bought some to fit, so we decided to fit them today, as well as investigate the cause of the extra knocking.
Taking the drivers wheel off, this is what was found.
.
The suppliers like to ensure they sell quality, long lasting products it seems.
I have advised him to return the parts, but he does not have the receipts anymore, and no way on earth will they believe they are so new.
He has bought other bits from them in the past too, all which have been diabolical, including a rear brake drum that cracked after 300 miles, handbrake cables that stretched so far in five weeks that it could not be adjusted, and brake pads that had no braking capabilities whatsoever. I warned him not to buy anything else from there.
I hope he has now learned his lesson.
The parts were a drop link and lower ball joint, bought and fitted in October 2010, and a track rod end, bough and fitted in December 2010. The car has done less than 3000 miles since the first bits were fitted in October.
He asked me to check it over today, as there were some knocking noises coming from the front. We knew that both front wishbones had worn bushes, and he had bought some to fit, so we decided to fit them today, as well as investigate the cause of the extra knocking.
Taking the drivers wheel off, this is what was found.
.The suppliers like to ensure they sell quality, long lasting products it seems.
I have advised him to return the parts, but he does not have the receipts anymore, and no way on earth will they believe they are so new.
He has bought other bits from them in the past too, all which have been diabolical, including a rear brake drum that cracked after 300 miles, handbrake cables that stretched so far in five weeks that it could not be adjusted, and brake pads that had no braking capabilities whatsoever. I warned him not to buy anything else from there.
I hope he has now learned his lesson.
TazR6 said:
Nothing quite so exotic. Peugeot 306.
Probably the same type of outfit that makes the monkey versions for Alfa's, hope your friend learns his lesson as well!I certainly did when I had my first 156, I bought some new parts from ebay, fitted them, drove round the block and I could hear a light squeaking...immediately drove to Alfa and picked up genuine parts and swapped them that day. Perfect.
Same reasons my specialist only fits genuine parts, if you are guaranteeing something you want to know the parts are going to last and the customer won't be back in 2 months time rightly demanding they be replaced FOC.
http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/alfa-147-156-and-gt...
jbi said:
over-tightened the ball joints?
Over tightening would stretch the threaded part of the ball joint but have no effect whatsoever on the ball part. There is almost always a locating point for the threaded part to butt up against preventing the ball joint being damaged, so looks like piss poor rubber used.Alternatively, is it possible that the rubber boot has come into contact with a strong solvent? Spilt brake fluid will do this to rubber, as will acetone.
Go to Eurocarparts and buy the Lemforder versions, far, far better quality.
Everybody buys parts on price these days, and there's some seriously questionable s
te from china out there - one lad with a 306 bought some cheap wishbones and found out the hard way that they'd saved money on steel by making the pin that goes through the rubber bush a fair bit thinner - snapped clean through!
Everybody buys parts on price these days, and there's some seriously questionable s
te from china out there - one lad with a 306 bought some cheap wishbones and found out the hard way that they'd saved money on steel by making the pin that goes through the rubber bush a fair bit thinner - snapped clean through!I agree, you get what you pat for these days, more so than any other time I think. There is some cheap tat about.
At least he bought decent wishbones, they are Quinten Hazel ones, same as I have bought to replace mine.
I will keep the Lemforder brand in memory. I have a friend who is a manager at Eurocarparts, so I am able to get discounts on most things. Thank you for the recommendation.
At least he bought decent wishbones, they are Quinten Hazel ones, same as I have bought to replace mine.
I will keep the Lemforder brand in memory. I have a friend who is a manager at Eurocarparts, so I am able to get discounts on most things. Thank you for the recommendation.
Looking at the levels of rust & corrosion & the state of deterioration of the rubber boots I find it very hard to believe that those items were fitted brand new less than 3000 miles & less than 11 months ago.
We've owned 4 306's over the past few years which have done normal annual milages, I do all our own servicing (I'm in the trade) and have never had boot issues like that with replacement TREs or the drop link that one needed. The parts I used weren't genuine Peugeot & the items replaced were due to wear in the joints allowing excessive play.
Not making accusations - but are you sure the parts were actually changed - i.e did your friend physically check them after or just take the mechanic's word when paying the bill?
We've owned 4 306's over the past few years which have done normal annual milages, I do all our own servicing (I'm in the trade) and have never had boot issues like that with replacement TREs or the drop link that one needed. The parts I used weren't genuine Peugeot & the items replaced were due to wear in the joints allowing excessive play.
Not making accusations - but are you sure the parts were actually changed - i.e did your friend physically check them after or just take the mechanic's word when paying the bill?
I've had this with cheap VX parts when I replaced both wishbones and drop-links when I bought the car and put it through an MOT, 12 months later all of the gaiters where fked. They where pattern parts all bought from a reputable supplier, can't remember the brand though. I mate of mine had the same with his VW when using pattern suspension parts from the same supplier
Neither of us would use anything but genuine parts now. If you hunt around quite often there isn't a massive difference in price between supposedly decent pattern parts and genuine parts!
ked. They where pattern parts all bought from a reputable supplier, can't remember the brand though. I mate of mine had the same with his VW when using pattern suspension parts from the same supplierNeither of us would use anything but genuine parts now. If you hunt around quite often there isn't a massive difference in price between supposedly decent pattern parts and genuine parts!
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