Opinion on aftermarket "Uro" brand M103 fan clutch bracket? - Page 5 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

gsxr · #61 03-27-2013, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ps2cho

Over at benzworld there is a member who's daughter was driving the car and called him to say there was something wrong....Ball joint snapped...I believe he said his were 1 year old.

It's not even a money factor, these parts could kill you or someone else on the road.

+1... although there are people with even less sense than money, who will still put safety-related Uro items on their car.

Now imagine having a ball joint snap at 70mph on the freeway during rush hour.

Zulfiqar · #62 03-27-2013, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gsxr

+1... although there are people with even less sense than money, who will still put safety-related Uro items on their car.

Now imagine having a ball joint snap at 70mph on the freeway during rush hour.

I saw two cases of such failure in the UK, one was a E500 W124 and the guy had just tapped his brakes to slow down for the exit on the motorway. The fender/bumper, door etc were badly damaged and the car was sliding sideways - Super sticky hot tires saved him I think.

The other was an unfortunate W201 whose joint broke while cresting a small hill type climb near Wembley Park Underground - the car tipped and was on its roof, the driver got out unmarked but his car was totalled.

The W124/201 front ball joint will let go of the suspension if they are not taken care of and not replaced in time with OE or OEM parts. I would never install Uro on such an important component the risk is too darn high.

oldsinner111 · #63 03-27-2013, 12:11 PM

PLEASE PLEASE don't buy URO brand.I bought sway bar end links and there shot in 9 months.I have to redo the job. Chinese just can't make good parts. Thats why they will lose supporting North Korea.

lsmalley · #64 03-27-2013, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lsmalley

I thought Bilstein was an OE manufacturer for MB? I think a few of my parts that are original say Bilstein on it, I've also seen Veritas. As for the Febi brand...are they merged or a subsidiary of Bilstein? I remember getting a part (can't remeber what), but it was yellow and red and it said "Febi/Bilstein" on it. I think a belt tensioner, but I'm not sure.

Also, I've had a few parts that I used from Uro parts, but no complaints yet. I'll keep you all posted.

Ok everyone, I posted on this thread about 2 years ago, at the time I said that I had a Uro brand part, in particular a front flex disk that I put on my car 3/18/2011..... I recently re-examined the part and it is still in good shape. No cracking, no loosening of the screws, etc. and its been 2 years and about 43000 miles (I do a lot of driving.) I am in no way endorsing Uro brand products or trying to go against the masses here at the forum, I am simply making an unbiased observation through my personal experience as I said I would do 2 years ago.

whunter · #65 03-27-2013, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lsmalley

Ok everyone, I posted on this thread about 2 years ago, at the time I said that I had a Uro brand part, in particular a front flex disk that I put on my car 3/18/2011..... I recently re-examined the part and it is still in good shape. No cracking, no loosening of the screws, etc. and its been 2 years and about 43000 miles (I do a lot of driving.) I am in no way endorsing Uro brand products or trying to go against the masses here at the forum, I am simply making an unbiased observation through my personal experience as I said I would do 2 years ago.

Thanks for the update.

.

gsxr · #66 03-28-2013, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lsmalley

Ok everyone, I posted on this thread about 2 years ago, at the time I said that I had a Uro brand part, in particular a front flex disk that I put on my car 3/18/2011..... I recently re-examined the part and it is still in good shape. No cracking, no loosening of the screws, etc. and its been 2 years and about 43000 miles (I do a lot of driving.) I am in no way endorsing Uro brand products or trying to go against the masses here at the forum, I am simply making an unbiased observation through my personal experience as I said I would do 2 years ago.

I think that might be an all-time record for Uro flex discs.

I wonder if the Uro flex discs experience sudden failure, or if they provide some warning in the form of cracks / etc well before failure. The photo below is what has happened to multiple people with Uro flex discs. It's a brave soul who continues to drive their car knowing Uro flex discs are installed. Remember that a failure of the front flex disc often sets off the airbags, on cars so equipped...

pwogaman · #67 03-28-2013, 12:54 PM

Success in using a URO flex disk is akin to placing a fully loaded revolver to your head and pulling the trigger. There is always the remote chance you are the lucky one where the round does not go off.

For me, the potential consequences far out way the benefits of a marginal price difference.

Zulfiqar · #68 03-28-2013, 01:57 PM

The only part I use of Uro brand is the antenna mast, not a very safety critical part

speaking of which my car had a yoorow door weatherstrip - RR door, it leaked water and sounded funny - I helped it with RTV silicone and finally yanked one from the boneyard. Their weatherstripping is also terrible.

using a uro flex disc , No sir, I would rather walk.

pawoSD · #69 03-28-2013, 02:19 PM

I don't use Uro-anything on my cars. If I wanted chinese junk then I'd drive a vehicle of that type.

gerryvz · #70 03-28-2013, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pwogaman

Success in using a URO flex disk is akin to placing a fully loaded revolver to your head and pulling the trigger. There is always the remote chance you are the lucky one where the round does not go off.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zulfiqar

using a uro flex disc , No sir, I would rather walk.

I could not have said this better, myself. Thank you.

But there are those here who do swear by, not at, Yurro parts.

alabbasi · #71 03-28-2013, 03:29 PM

I think that Dan realized that trying to convince people on this forum that the URO junk is worth buying is a waste of time. He hasn't posted since 2010.

ps2cho · #72 03-29-2013, 03:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alabbasi

I think that Dan realized that trying to convince people on this forum that the URO junk is worth buying is a waste of time. He hasn't posted since 2010.

There is nothing he can provide that can change experiences so I wouldn't waste my time either.

Talks cheap anyway.

hanno · #73 03-29-2013, 08:41 AM

I tried a URO antenna mast, twice

, within a two week time frame. The toothed shaft separated from the antenna during the first installation as it was being sucked in. Had to spend time to open and remove. Supplier replaced, second did the same. OEM Hirshman now resides there. Need to do the differential mounts in my 87 (238000 miles). OEM lasted how long? That's what is going back in there.

cleavster · #74 03-29-2013, 11:20 AM

For proper fitting and reliability, I just went ahead and bought the OE part.

The Febi version was my first choice but the part was out of stock.

Zulfiqar · #75 04-06-2013, 10:49 PM

I recently went to see a w124 E320 that a freind told me about - I talked to the guy and he says that he orders from the internet and gets a local shop to do his work - this local shop was a general shop not MB shop. I asked to look at the parts invoices/reciepts and lo and behold 80% of all parts were URO..

I passed.. He couldnt fathom why I was letting it pass as he put a lot of work in it and usually sells these cars after redoing this - I tried to explain him the URO plague - it couldnt get through.

I also found that he had changed the front brakes to 300E brakes with floating calipers - his explanation was that the new control arms required the older brakes.

NO SIR, that car is fit for scrap.