A few weeks ago I called the local Volvo dealership looking for a Genuine Volvo lower steering column link, and discovered that this is now a Discontinued Item. They offered me a Scam-Tech link for $130. No thanks. Recently, after reading various older threads on the subject of Upper Strut Mounts (where the general consensus seemed to be that Genuine Volvo is the way to go) I called the dealership and they had them next day for the amazing price of $54 apiece. I suspect that these are Scam-Tech or some other aftermarket...that's about what SKF and others are, and I recall the Volvo price on these was well over $100 a few years ago when I put on the now-falling-apart SKF mounts in a futile attempt to get good strut mounts for a decent price.

In the meantime I got some tie rod ends and ball joints from Federal Mogul, or MOOG. Haven't put 'em on yet but they look really nice -- actual grease zerks, and all the nuts & washers that you need, including castle nuts on the tie rod ends. MOOG also has Upper Strut Mounts, so I think I'll try these. They're stuff is about 3 times the cost of other aftermarket, but darn they look nice.

Anyone out there have experience with MOOG suspension parts? And what's up with Genuine Volvo Parts...?

Your local Volvo dealer is No Good! Tasca has the lower coupling on their site for less than your dealer wants for the Scantech. While on the Tasca site, order up some strut mounts. If the parts are not in a Volvo box, your dealer is scamming you. I'm sure there are some out there. My Volvo dealer is no more because of "shenanigans" and we had just purchased an XC70 from them not a few months prior and I'm glad they are gone to tell you the truth. It was NOT the best auto purchase experience I ever had.
Charles

The Tasca site has front strut mounts at $71.40 each.

I just picked up some from FCP Groton made by Meyle for $42 each.

Is Meyle Scan-tech?
What really is the quality difference between Mayle and whoever makes the Tasca part?
Who makes the Tasca part?

Bert

I don't think anyone has found a decent strut mount that lasts as long as the original Volvo, or any part that is mostly rubber that lasts as long as the genuine article (with the exception of Boge bushings which are the real deal with the Volvo name ground off). So difference is price and longevity. Some aftermarket rubber items last months not years or tens of years. Meyle is not Scan tech. Tasca parts are genuine Volvo to whatever their specs are for a part, versus somebody else's copy with no real quality standard, only that it looks like the real deal when you buy it. When you put it in to service it will crack and fail and you will be doing the work again in sort order. Also, we all need to keep sending the aftermarket world our message and keep refusing low quality garbage from India, China, Taiwan, etc. Who wants to do the same repair over and over, or pay for the part over and over? We need to keep supporting our favorite car manufacturer as well. So lots of reasons to just buy the right part from the start.
Charles

The Tasca (Genuine Volvo) part is made by several European suppliers. The bearing is made by FAG, the rubber I can't recall.

Original Volvo mounts were made by Boge.

Wish I knew who makes the Mayle mount.

-Ryan
--

Athens, Ohio
1987 245 DL 314k, Dog-mobile
1990 245 DL 134k M47, E-codes, GT Sway Bars
1991 745 GL 300k, Regina, 23/21mm Turbo Sway Bars