97Volvo850GLT Posted September 11, 2006 Report Share Posted September 11, 2006 Bought the Hamburg Technic sway bar end link from FCP last summer and installed it in August 2005. Looked at it on Friday when installing new struts and the rubber on the end link is torn and there is a lot of play (compared to the other side and when new).Anyone else have a problem with the Hamburg Technic sway bar end links from FCP? They were not offering the Volvo version at the time (which they now do) so I bought the HT.How much of a problem is it to drive the car like this until I can order the part and get it installed (have a loooong trip coming up next weekend)?Thx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RussB Posted September 11, 2006 Report Share Posted September 11, 2006 those links suck hard. I got less than a year out of them. you get what you pay for! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stormtrooper1 Posted September 11, 2006 Report Share Posted September 11, 2006 those links suck hard. I got less than a year out of them. you get what you pay for!Thanks for the advice... I was just going to order those... Well I guess now its between the Volvo ones from FCP or the Febi Bilstein ones from eEuroparts... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AkitaWagon Posted September 11, 2006 Report Share Posted September 11, 2006 Thanks for the advice... I was just going to order those... Well I guess now its between the Volvo ones from FCP or the Febi Bilstein ones from eEuroparts...you can also try the iPd HD or QuickBrick Motorsport endlinks for durability Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokin' T5M Posted September 11, 2006 Report Share Posted September 11, 2006 QBM are the manufacturer everyone is constantly raving about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Norm Posted September 11, 2006 Report Share Posted September 11, 2006 So far, the IPD links have held up for almost a year, far longer than I ever got from OEM. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
97Volvo850GLT Posted September 12, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 12, 2006 Is it risky to make a 16 hour roadtrip (roundtrip) with a worn end link? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdlc Posted September 12, 2006 Report Share Posted September 12, 2006 So far, the IPD links have held up for almost a year, far longer than I ever got from OEM.Is this the heavy duty type?I'm glad I saw this thread before I ordered the links, I could have gotten the HT. I just ordered IPD-HD.Anyway, believe it or not, the links on our 98 V70 is still the original after almost 9 years/100k, and it only started to make noise in the last 6 months or so. I check the boot every time the I switch tire and until the last time, they were intact. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1sciroccofahrer Posted September 12, 2006 Report Share Posted September 12, 2006 I have had great luck with the Febi/Bilstein endlinks on my parent's 850. Next time however, I am going with the IPD upgrades. Have a wonderful evening one and all :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erikv11 Posted September 12, 2006 Report Share Posted September 12, 2006 Is it risky to make a 16 hour roadtrip (roundtrip) with a worn end link?If you mean the play is in the joint, like it moves in and out and the joint itself might fall apart, then I'd fix it now. Driving without a front sway can't be much fun or very safe, on a long trip. If the joint is just worn, like rotates too easily but still stays in the joint, then you're probably OK. People drive on worn end links for a long time.And you're sure the looseness is in the joint and not due to the nut being loose? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drlava Posted September 12, 2006 Report Share Posted September 12, 2006 The FCP ones are made with poor quality rubber, and have been for years. A while ago I even received some already torn in the package! As soon at the boots tear, dirt gets in and wears the plastic part of the joint right out, creating the play you notice and a rattling sound. No one should ever buy fcp ones again, as it sounds like they aren't interested in quality control of this part! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
97Volvo850GLT Posted September 13, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 13, 2006 If you mean the play is in the joint, like it moves in and out and the joint itself might fall apart, then I'd fix it now. Driving without a front sway can't be much fun or very safe, on a long trip. If the joint is just worn, like rotates too easily but still stays in the joint, then you're probably OK. People drive on worn end links for a long time.And you're sure the looseness is in the joint and not due to the nut being loose?The joint seems intact but rotates too easily and the rubber boot around it is definitely all torn up. It didn't appear to move in and out.I was having the struts/spring seats replaced so the nut was removed from the top of the end link during the process...that's when I noticed the torn rubber boot and the excess play in the joint compared to the other side. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
97Volvo850GLT Posted September 13, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 13, 2006 I contacted FCP and they said they have very few issues with these (they are Hamburg Technic - made in Germany).Anyway, they said they would be covered under warranty because they were just under the 1-year mark. I'm upgrading to the Volvo branded end link they started offering recently and applying the warranty amount to the price. They were great about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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