Why not to use cheap parts: FCP Groton Center Link

[Kalevera]

Josh, I don't know. The point of this is that, as some people have suggested, the steel and forging work can be the same (ie - copied), but that doesn't mean that the two critical parts in the assembly -- bushings and ball joints, but only bushings in this case -- are of OEM quality.

I also noticed play in the pitman arm bushing, but can't confirm that until I pull the center link off of the car. The tie rods and idler arm appear to be fine at the moment.

best, whit

[genphreak]

Josh, I don't know. The point of this is that, as some people have suggested, the steel and forging work can be the same (ie - copied), but that doesn't mean that the two critical parts in the assembly -- bushings and ball joints, but only bushings in this case -- are of OEM quality.

I also noticed play in the pitman arm bushing, but can't confirm that until I pull the center link off of the car. The tie rods and idler arm appear to be fine at the moment.

best, whit

Quality post Whit, this is really worth some analysis once you get the parts off the car. I hope you can get the time to post your thoughts later. Sure it could be a faulty part/bad luck, but I must say , despite what I've said about these parts in the past, I'm certainly inclined to agree on the strength of what you've put forward. It may be that the OEM bushings indeed ok, but I'm sure glad we're honing in on this. Damn I wish it were easier to spot bad joints than to pull them off and yank them round (and still be left guessing)

I just got a pair of those new $115 aluminium lower control arms and a pair of tie-rods assemblies from FCP Groton. (AutoHouseAz don't like shipping to Aus using USPS). I think they are Meyle, they 'look' ok. The rest is Hamburg Teknik and it seems OK looking, but the paint and zinc plating is definately 'thin' so I might just be painting these suckers. Can't tell any more till I get to wear them out as you have

I have to get new pitman arm bushing and centre rod too, I think I'll take you're advice and go Lemforder until we can confirm this is not caused by poor quality. Also got new bushes for the rear arms, dogbones, pitman arms and subframe mounts- none are Lemforder. I hope these aren't as shite as you seem to be sugeesting.

Its never worth doing anything twice if one can avoid it. Now you have me worried... Nick

[Robert K]

I also bought some parts from them a few years ago. Their sway bar end links are junk. I think all four boots on the front pair of links are cracked. Regardless of what markings are on their parts, I'm sure they're all cheap Asian stuff. It is worth buying OEM parts when you can afford to.At least they last 2-4 times as long.

Grace and peace,

Robert K
1991 535i

[Kalevera]

Nick, actually -- I use the factory tools, if necessary (it wasn't in the case of diagnosing the bad idler/drag link bushing), so the boots won't be damaged unless I'm really not mindful of what I'm doing.

Center link should show up on Monday, and I'll probably install it that evening, because the car has started shimmying again.

best, whit

[shogun]

The ads of Karlyn are a bit misleading with the German national colors and the flag. That guy emigrated to the US in 1949
"The Art of German Engineering, Made in the USA"
BREMI parts are electric/electronic parts
http://www.karlynsti.com/


OCAP is an Italian company, also OEM supplier to:

AUTOMOTIVE APPLICATIONS

· MASERATI (Italy)
· LAMBORGHINI (Italy)
· PIAGGIO (Italy)
· SWISS LEM (Electric city car, Switzerland)
· GIBSS Technologies (Leisure time vehicles, Uk)
· FINN POWER (snowmobiles, Finland)

TRUCK AND LIGHT DUTY APPLICATIONS

· IVECO (Italy)
· CESAB (Fork lift truck, Italy)
· SNVI (Renault Industrial vehicles, France)
· ALBION AUTOMOTIVE (Pick up and van Leyland and Daf, UK)

AGRICULTURAL AND HEAVY DUTY APPLICATIONS

· DANA GROUP (Italy, USA, Brasil, India)
· MASSEY Ferguson (UK)
· CASE NEW HOLLAND GROUP (Italy, Austria, France)
· JOHN DEERE (USA)
· LANDINI (Italy)
· VOLVO Construction Equipment (Korea)
· MERLO (Italy)
· MANITOU (France)
· ZF (Germany)
· GRAZIANO Trasmissioni (Italy)

http://www.ocap.it/home.asp

TRW is also not a small supplier
http://www.trw.com/home/main/0,,,FF.html

Maybe you just were unlucky, I don't know, never tried these products, just Meyle from Germany, and they are o.k. in my opinion.

[BigKriss]

So, you be the judge; Me -- I'll be using OEM lemforder.

Thats a pretty poor effort Whitt. 10,000 miles is nothing. Just a question on the center tie rod, I thought that the TRW and Lemforder ones from BMA where the same. This is what Patrick was telling me when I got the steering links a while ago. I don't have a copy of the e-mail anymore, but it was somethign along the lines of that the Lemforder item was the same as the TRW item. The Lemforder one was around us$30 more.

[632 Regal]

Patrick also told me the Lemforder centerlinks were made by TRW. The only FCP I have is the thrust arms and control arms (replacement Bilstein too) that havnt been installed cause I blew out my shoulder.

Thats a pretty poor effort Whitt. 10,000 miles is nothing. Just a question on the center tie rod, I thought that the TRW and Lemforder ones from BMA where the same. This is what Patrick was telling me when I got the steering links a while ago. I don't have a copy of the e-mail anymore, but it was somethign along the lines of that the Lemforder item was the same as the TRW item. The Lemforder one was around us$30 more.

[onewhippedpuppy]

That sucks, thanks for the heads up before I do mine, I had been leaning towards the FCP package. Not worth saving a few dollars if it only lasts 10k.

[50 fiver]

I purchased the thrust arms and control arms from them a couple of years ago, and I know some of and maybe all the ball joints are gone. I wish I had bit the bullet and ordered from bruno or patrick and then I would not have to replace already. I hate to talk bad about the company, but, I believe their stuff is not as good as the oem stuff.

[ryan roopnarine]

food for thought i guess

fcp groton is selling the hamburg technic parts: (2 thrust arms, 2 L control arms, 2 tierods, 2 swaybars, and an idler arm) on ebay for $235 including shipping in the us

another guy (has several packages) is selling meyle parts (same 2 tierods, 2 thrust, 2 l control, 2 sways, and an idler) for $174 plus 25 shipping, so basically $200 for all that stuff. lot of stuff for $200. i didn't think that fcp was going to be outdone for sheer amount of stuff for smallest quantity of money.