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...?