Made in China Rant- "cheap" parts are really expensive parts

[benhogan]

Last night I changed the balljoints on my Volvo 240. I purchased the parts from ******** at a closeout price ($15 each plus shipping). Normally, they are close to $40 each for the Raybestos brand.

I thought I had a deal because they parts looked OK. After a closer look, the rubber boot had a small tear. So I said OK, I'll just seal up up with rubber cement. I then mount it on the car. The ball joint actually bolts on the control arm via 3 bolts. I used my torque wrench to tighten the nuts. The dang nuts got stripped. They could not handle the required torque! I ended up reusing the old bolts. I have a feeling I'll be replacing them in a few months.

I'll learn my lesson about Made in China parts some day.

Lesson: Cheap parts are really Expensive Parts in disguise.

[johnjzjz]

and when the front wheel falls right off the car at 70MPH you can be sure ******** is not at fault even tho they know that is happening - jz

True of all cheap parts. That is not the best place to save a couple of dollars.

[mespe]

I busted a couple 1/2 inch Lag bolts I bought from HD. Went to Sears, and bought new ones, those I couldn't break by hand tightening.

[Whiskeydan]

Order a FEQ upper ball joint ass'y for a MB W123, W116 and you'll receive a right side casting with the left side part number cast into it.

I've had a Carquest brand LBJ on my Dodge come apart at 30K miles. Fortunately I was backing out of parking lot but, I still did a lot of damage. Parts are junk nowdays...

BTW, I have some oe Volvo 240 ball joints from years past laying around here somewhere. May be a bit of surface rust but, free for the price of shipping if you're interested.

[aklim]

IMO, for the most part, cheap and good DO go together. Lower initial cost and good, do not. Cheap is measured over the long haul and not the price at the register. If you have to spend $100 to buy a tool but can pay $20 for a "cheap" one but you have to buy 10 of the "cheap" ones to last what the $100 one does, what savings have you? IOW, it wasn't cheap.

[Hatterasguy]

Cheap anything is usualy false economy.

I firmly beleive and buying the best up front and keeping it forever.

[aklim]

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

Cheap anything is usualy false economy.

I firmly beleive and buying the best up front and keeping it forever.

Not true. By buying the best and keeping it forever or as long as possible, it is truly the cheap route since you spend less in the long run. So yes, I am cheap. I buy something that lasts longer even though I spend more today because it is cheaper in the long run.

[Hatterasguy]

Yep, thats why I do it.

[TOPGUN]

The quality is remembered long after the price is forgotten.

[Jorn]

Originally Posted by benhogan

Last night I changed the balljoints on my Volvo 240. I purchased the parts from ******** at a closeout price ($15 each plus shipping). Normally, they are close to $40 each for the Raybestos brand.

I thought I had a deal because they parts looked OK. After a closer look, the rubber boot had a small tear. So I said OK, I'll just seal up up with rubber cement. I then mount it on the car. The ball joint actually bolts on the control arm via 3 bolts. I used my torque wrench to tighten the nuts. The dang nuts got stripped. They could not handle the required torque! I ended up reusing the old bolts. I have a feeling I'll be replacing them in a few months.

I'll learn my lesson about Made in China parts some day.

Lesson: Cheap parts are really Expensive Parts in disguise.

Get your Volvo parts from FCP groton.

[dannym]

Originally Posted by Jorn

Get your Volvo parts from FCP groton.

X2 - with a 10% discount from Mathews Volvo Site.

[alabbasi]

I think MB parts in general are pretty cheap. It really depends where you buy it from. A Bosch OE filter from an online supplier will be around $5 or you can go to autozone and get some no name POS for $20.