I'm looking forward to cashing in on the Bilstein Lifetime Guarantee and I was really curious of how much a hassle this becomes when dealing with this thru FCP Groton...
Case in point: the basic Touring shocks (PNE-3031-BE)
I have one that is limp as a squid and already out of the car. Installed some "OK" shocks to stretch me over till the FCP process transpires.

I also have some blown Ball Joints... from FCP and haven't lasted 2 years.

Tim
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'92 244 NOW w/ M47 (Hydra, turbo bars, bilstein, urethane bushings)

For the shocks you are better off dealing direct with Bilstein. If not mistaken all their shocks have a lifetime warranty . I had one of the rears from my truck go bad and I couldn't tell which, it was just hopping real bad and they just told me to send them both back and they tested them and found the culprit and replaced it and even cleaned up the other one so nice that it looked new as well when they returned them
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-------Robert, '93 940t, '90 240 wagon, '84 240 diesel (she's sick) , '80 245 diesel, '86 740 GLE turbo diesel, '92 Ford F350 diesel dually

Agreed, this is a Bilstein deal. They will have you buy new, send in the old for their inspection and credit. BTDT.

If you're holding a FCP Groton receipt from March 2008 or OLDER it has NO value to FCP! They have altered their filing system and this limits their historical data on customers. Basically I was told that "if it's not in their system, you haven't bought it"

It sucks!

Find out if the manufacturer of the part carries a warranty and work directly with them!

Tim
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'92 244 NOW w/ M47 (Hydra, turbo bars, bilstein, urethane bushings)

That is completely absurd. I'm glad I stopped doing business with FCP several years ago. Back then I complained about the declining quality of parts from FCP and got shouted down here on brickboard for having the nerve to question a local sacred cow. My, how things have changed.

Each time I see this thread pop to the top, it reminds me of the new free "lifetime" warranty on all parts FCP touted in a recent mailing.

" FCP Groton Announces New Lifetime Warranty Program

We are pleased to announced that we will be offering a limited lifetime warranty on ALL FCP Groton products. By ensuring excellence through quality and customer satisfaction, our loyal customer base is only growing during these tough times, allowing us to move to the forefront of the automotive industry. Visit warranty.fcpgroton.com for all the details."

Anyone not sporting an ASE certification should definitely click the link for all the details.

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Art Benstein near Baltimore

Can you cry under water?

Wow, what a misleading "warranty".

"Product must be installed by an ASE certified technician."

How many of FCP Groton's online customers are ASE certified techs? I think this marketing steps over the line into false advertising.

Hello Art,

I wonder if there are a few items for which the warranty costing 10% would be worthwhile. I'm thinking of catback exhaust kits, rebuilt calipers, water pumps and other similar items. For some of us long term volvo nuts, the warranty could be the ticket for extended cost efficiency.

What about expendables like brake shoes, rotors, ignition wires, spark plugs, wipers.

Of course you have to keep a "tickler" file on just what you've warrantied. Then you have to remember where you put the file.

With the current December 10% promo, the warranty essentially costs nothing.

Marty Wolfson

And how many ways will FCP find to duck the warranty down the road?

Tim,
This isn't directly related to the warranty question you posted, but I noticed that you have a '92 that is converted to M47. I'm looking to do the same with my 92 245 and was wondering if you could tell me whether there are any big problems to look for. I already know that a new flywheel is needed from an 89 or newer car and that the pedal box is going to be a bear to install. Anything else I should look out for before I begin? Also, did you change out the rear axle or keep the automatic one? I've read about people having higher than usual rpms at highway speeds when sticking with the auto axle. did you find this to be true? I probably won't start this project until May, but I'd like to get everything in order now. Thanks, Paul

Yeah, I'll be glad to "Talk Tranny" with ya... I took many pictures with captions here:

http://s243.photobucket.com/albums/ff56/bigtahoe6/The%20Volvo/
(70+ pics)

It all went pretty damn smooth with some mundane details that were overlooked that allowed me to gain some experience in pulling the tranny off in under 30mins.

Make sure you have a Clutch Alignment tool and the Pilot Bearing.

Also you're gunna need more than 24" of lift (from the rocker panel to garage floor) to get this gear box in. I was able to wrangle mine under the car even with benefit of the tranny jack yet the Starter "bubble" in the bell housing made it a physical thing.

The Brake Box is NOT fun. Period. Remove the front seat and get some pillows. Having a person with small hands will prove to be MOST efficient! Get a 10 and 12mm ratcheting wrench for the top bolts. DO NOT take the advice of the "Adding the Clutch pedal to the existing Auto-Tranny- Brake Block" - go get the real deal!

When drilling for the Clutch Cable port in the firewall... make sure it is a tight fit.

I kept the rear axle cuz I like the added torque.. my Flex Joint/Disc and Torque Rod Bushings did not. Do not buy the Flex Disc from FCP, but DO get their PolyU's for the TRB's.

Anyway.. that's just off the top of my head.. I hope these pics will shed a little light on the issue. Cuz if they do not, there a plenty more from other bricksters.

Tim
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'92 244 NOW w/ M47 (Hydra, turbo bars, bilstein, urethane bushings)

"I also have some blown Ball Joints... from FCP and haven't lasted 2 years."

What brand? Two year old worn out ball joints is a bad thing.

nevermind

The warranty works well: Nick has taken good care of his customers. The best way to handle it is to first call Bilstein, then follow their instructions. My last set I got directly from them: they charged my card for the replacements then credited the old ones when received. Never had to speak with the retailer who had gone out of business anyway. Same for Sachs Boge.
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See the 700/900 FAQ at the drop-down menu above right.