Seven years and 150K miles ago, I purchased a set of 4 Boge shocks/struts for my '86 240 sedan. I drive mostly highway and don't drive it hard. Now at 495K, I felt that they were not up to doing their job well. A friend just installed a new set on his and the ride is wonderful now. I pulled one of the rears of mine off and found almost no rebound. Same with the front strut, weak rebound. I bought them from IPD and still have my original receipt. Being Boge has a lifetime warranty, does anyone think I'm in for an uphill fight to get them to replace them or anyone in particular I should talk to at IPD to get this started? Thanks for any and all input in advance.

PS: I just looked at the IPD site and see that the shocks now have only a one year warranty........Here we go. I'll post what I find tomorrow.

This has sure turned into an interesting topic.

Back when I was paying my way through college (it was a while ago), I worked as a partsman for a Montgomery Wards Auto Center. We sold parts with a Lifetime Warrenty. If the customer had the receipt, they got the parts, no questions asked. They paid a premium for slightly better than average parts and a promise to replace them if they failed.

You all know as well as I do that a Lifetime Warrenty muffler rusts out from normal use, not a manufacturing defect. We loved Lifetime Warrenty mufflers. Not only did the customer pay to have it replaced, we got to check their brakes, belts, hoses, ignition system...

Lifetime Warrenties are a joke now since they only cover the lifetime of the worn out part, and obviously, when it's shot, its lifetime is over.

Greg

hello to the many sages who contributed to this thread- i read every posters post and agree with much of what is said but not all. my differences with what some have said i think are mostly due to my age(64), legal and automotive experience. so here goes :
1. my main view is that a lifetime warranty means just that, unless there are limiting conditions, no assumptions if not in writing. i think art b and i are in complete agreement, but i do wish he would tell me more about maytag washers. 2. the world sure has changed on the subject of quality perception . youngbloods seem to expect a much lower quality of goods than old fuds like me. a lifetime warranty should mean higher quality not lower quality.

3. there should be no ethical issue attempting to get the plain language of a written agreement you paid for e
enforced. 4.most vendors , in fact all that i have had experience with honor these warranties regardless of the assumptions made here in the interest of keeping ag ood customer , provided you have documentation and are within the limitations. some would say this moots the whole conversation in this thread. hoping the above doesnt make you sages think i am a member of cba(cheap bastids of america). anybody here a member? oldduke

Having worked warranty for a number of years (years ago now!) in the outdoor apparel industry, I thought I'd chime in. At least for that industry, "lifetime" did not mean the lifetime of the purchaser. It meant the lifetime of the product. Of course, that can be widely interpreted. I had a guy bring in a pair of shorts (North Face, maybe?) that were at least 10 years old, completely sun-bleached, and fraying. The guy had clearly used up the lifetime of the product. However, companies will often replace the things anyways, figuring they don't want to lose a loyal customer. This seems to be the case with Xraybob.

As to how much it drives prices up when people warranty these things, I would say little to none. The entire warranty department for many of these very large companies is one or two people. Not many people send in warranty items--we live in a throw-away society.

Do I think Xraybob is pushing a "lifetime" warranty? Yup. If I get 150k on suspension parts, I'm happy. But if he's not and the company will replace them, then that's between him and the company.

Nate

WOW, I didn't expect to get this volume of responses to my original post. True, over the past 495K miles, I have had the following replaced under warranties: alternator, both fuel pumps, brake pads, master cylinder, steering rack and a few other items I can't recall right now. Go ahead and call me cheap or frugal, but I plan on keeping my ride going for the least amount of $$$ that I can.

I did not mean to ruffle feathers here. I am sure that xraybob is a standup guy and I know that he has posted some great advice here. Mea culpa and all that good stuff.

But to put this in (my) perspective, surely the cost of honoring a warranty claim such as Bob's, as infrequent as it may be, is factored into the cost of the shocks/struts. Just as the cost of liability insurance and expected settlements for product defects are built into the cost of everything else we buy.

I do not have a personal objection to what I feel is a legitimate warranty claim. For example, if the shocks started leaking and they had only 20 or 30,000 miles on them. Heck, even 50,000 miles. That, to me, indicates a defect in the product or at least a less than stellar service life.

What bothers me is a warranty claim for parts that have been completely used up beyond the point of normal wear. Hope this is not too blunt, but you might as well ship Sachs a box full of rocks at that point, since they probably can't even rebuild your set and try to resell them.

Think of it this way: Would you have the nerve to take a completely worn out pair of shoes, shoes that were so worn that one could see daylight through the soles, back to the store where you purchased them and demand a free pair 7 years after you bought them? I would be embarrassed to do that, even if they had a "lifetime warranty."

I think the fair thing for Sachs to do here is offer him a good discount on a new pair, 50% off or something like that. Personally that is what I would extend if I worked in their warranty claims dept.

Think of it this way: Would you have the nerve to take a completely worn out pair of shoes, shoes that were so worn that one could see daylight through the soles, back to the store where you purchased them and demand a free pair 7 years after you bought them? I would be embarrassed to do that, even if they had a "lifetime warranty."

Absolutely!

I think Art's analogy put it best. The cost of the occasional replacement is more than outweighed by the goodwill the replacement engenders.

Another example:

I'm on my 4th Squall jacket from Lands End. I only paid for the 1st. The next 3 have been obtained under warranty from them after submitting the previous, waorn out jacket to them for replacement. The old jackets were submitted due to WEAR. not defect. This goes back approx 15 years. They have even given me $15 Visa gift cards to cover the cost of shipping! In the meantime, I have purchased several hundred $'s worth of clothes from them due to the goodwill brought about by the "no questions asked" replacement of the jacket.

Barring conditions set by the wording of the warranty, lifetime means just that.

Yes, John, your enthusiastic expression of opinion went a little far when you began to attack Bob's ethical stance. That's why the forum has the off-topic area where you can take that sort of vitriol where it is expected.

Your analogy deserves a response. If a shoe retailer decides to provide a lifetime pair of shoes, he would be wagering the cost of returns against the profit of his original sale and realized goodwill. As oldduke has clarified for us, the terms of the offer dictate the deal, not some assumption we make regarding the difference between manufacturing defects and normal wear.

So the invective found in this thread is nothing but hot air, as long as the written terms of the warranty are not known to us.
--
Art Benstein near Baltimore

A lot of money is tainted. 'Taint yours and 'taint mine.

Interesting.....

I'm seeing two trends here:

-Camp Y: People who think the claim is unethical/unfounded have experience with Defect warranties good for the life of the part *average time before failure*.

-Camp X: People who think the claim is completely legit and that not taking it would be wrong are used to "as long as you both shall live" (the car running and the owner breathing) Lifetime warranties.

Personally, I've never seen a warranty that covered anything other than manufacturing defects. It sounds like a lot of people in camp X have had "ALAYBSL" warranties.

Is this a generational thing? I'm 25, and I've never seen any warranty that didn't have explicitly defined limits - almost always being limited to defective construction like loose rivets in brake shoes.

I think it matters what the original warranty said. If something just says "_ year warranty" I assume it's warranteed to last that many years with normal home use and no abuse. If I see "lifetime defect warranty", I think "pretty words to put on the box that really mean nothing".

Not to ask everybody for their age, but I feel like the general type of warranty offered on most things has become less and less inclusive over time, and that we're all basing assumptions off of different things.

Cheers

You are not so old that you have not been able to see the "unlimited lifetime warranty" in Craftsman hand tools (only certain lines now as I understand). Currently Autozone's limited lifetime warranty is basically a no-questions-asked exchange (with proper documents) on their alternators, starters, brake calipers and master cylinders.

To show my age, many stores that have died do to the discount retail purge in the 80's and 90's had store based warranties that were unlimited on many items sold under their own name. JC Penny was mentioned and regionally there was Otasco in Oklahoma and I am sure many others.

If we are bringing up generations...

My wife and I are of different upbringing but we also have about a decade between us. The differences in attitude toward "repair or replace" is staggering. Granted, she jokes that my parents are the youngest living survivors of the depression (though they are about 20 years too young for that), but for everything BUT cars I grew up with a family that bought the absolute best quality they could afford and expected it to last forever. We had a black and white TV until 1988 as a result and the Sony Trinitron that replaced it is still in my mother's sewing room as a second TV.

I prefer yard sales of dead/aging families for all my hand tools over retail. Why, they tend to have bought well and kept them in top condition then they are sold by their surviving children who do not understand the value of what they have. Ebay has killed some of those screaming deals but where else can you a small tool chest of assorted Rigid (back when that meant something) pipe wrenches, dies and pipe cutters for $20?

Hi Xraybob,

So what did they say? Are you getting a new set?

I should hear back today.

They (Sachs, not IPD) said they would replace them after I submit all the documentation they are requesting along with the failed units. Said turnaround time is about 2 wks. Just waiting another couple of weeks until my friend loans me a car while mine is torn apart. They will then sent repalcement shocks/struts. Will keep you posted.

As expected.

Am I pushing it? The answer is no: If the new ones do not have a lifetime warranty, you can only assume the lifetime warranty is extended to the replacements. Keep a copy of the documentation and see you in another 7 years and 150,000 miles.

Tom

Do you really feel good about shipping IPD/sachs a box full of worn out parts for a free replacement? Do you do this with all of your automotive parts?

I am all for the vendor or manufacturer honoring their warranty, but I also think that at some point you have to accept that you got your money's worth from the product and it is time to move on. If the shocks had only 10 or 20 or even 30K miles on them and they were shot, I would empathize with you. But at 150K I find it hard not to feel that you are taking advantage of the situation. And while I know you don't care about my opinion, I find your warranty claim dishonest and unethical. (The "lifetime" part aside, warranties have always covered product defects and NOT wear and tear).

I wonder how much these types of warranty claims increase the price of the product.

Just my $0.02...

OK, warranties that are expressed and not implied should have specific language to limit them. I am sure this is the case with Boge/Sachs. If the OP is exercising his right to the expressed terms of the warranty, how can that be dishonest or unethical?

There are no unlimited warranties anymore and limited warranties are pretty specific so why not hold them to it?

As said, opinions are opinions and we all have them. Feel free to express yours as long as you do so politely (as you did now) and understand that others will disagree.

hi onkel- have read all these comments and have responded to some of them. your first sentence is correct on its face, but be aware that an express warranty as contrasted to an implied warranty is usually held to and limited to its language; any further conditions by way of assumption or implication are disallowed and for a very good reason- the seller presents the warranty; you take it or leave it ; you cant renegotiate anything into it. in law its called an adhesion contract and because the seller has the advantage, it is strictly construed. i used to buy lee batteries which i dont think is around anymore and they had lifetime warranty batteries. my experience with them was like the poster with the jc penny story.to both of their credits , the sellers went out of their way to honor the warranties. you are right few companies have warranties like this anymore. i dont think companies lost enough money on these items to go out of business since most purchasers probably never sought to enforce the warranties. ps- have been trying to find out what is the experience of owners with this strange 10year 100000 mile warranty on the hyundai sonata. do you know? regards oldduke

Yes, that must be a warranty that one will have to put their elbows up on the desk, hold their chin in one hand and slide a ruler with the other, in order to read the fine print!

That warranty is TWENTY years and TWO HUNDRED thousand miles!

Those sales marketeers are hard at work on this one...... Should we hold out for a lifetime warranty, as this one has got to have limitations up the wazoo, to test the best attorneys on all sides of consumer affairs!

Presently, air bags are only good for ten years....yep, probably has a clause, because!

Phil

No luck from IPD. They said that if they were 2-3yrs past the warranty, they might replace them on a case by case basis. So I went right to Sachs USA and am dealing with a particular individual. He said that if I were to provide the original receipt (which I have) and my state vehicle registration for the year that the shocks were purchased indicating the mileage (which I have) and send the shocks/struts in for evaluation, they might exchange them under warranty. I emailed them back saying that I couldn't afford to have my car sitting up on blocks in my driveway with no means of transportation, while they left me stranded making that decision. I'm waiting to hear today what they're going to do. I'll keep you all posted.

I am with you that lifetime is for as long as you are the original purchaser and as long as that company name or lifetime/product name is still used or there is no longer a replcement for it made. If someone buys them out, continues selling a replacement product that are do the same job, then, they also buy those obligations. That is corporate law as far as I know!

I bought a battery back in the mid seventies from J.C. Penney that was the new "no" maintenance type with lifetime warranty. They honored that warranty way up into the late nineties even though they themselves got out of the automotive business. All I had to do was send my receipt with copy of the registration that I still owned the vehicle along with the receipt for the replacement battery with the warranty card and they send me a check!

I still own the vehicle but after so long I got tried of bugging them about it. They probably replaced it with four or five batteries and I think I got my monies worth from them. If they stopped do it, then I would have felt disenchanted or something but since I gave up, we are good!

I bought some special spark plug wires with ceramic ends for a 454 Chevy equiped RV from Camping World because they recommended them along with a lifetime warranty. They later got cooked and CW themselves said I had to contact the maker. I did that and found out the company was bought out by Mr. Gasket.
I was told by them that they would honor the warranty for only a one time only replacement as they recognized the obligation of a replacement but I was supposed to use fiberglass boots as well with them! That was not mentioned by CW!

So they terminated the warranty and I will keep ALL OF the above in my mind!!!! As you can tell.....it will be for a LIFETIME!

Phil

"I emailed them back saying that I couldn't afford to have my car sitting up on blocks in my driveway with no means of transportation"

Exactly the problem with every warranty! A quality part is worth more than any warranty because down time is a problem for most people.

Now, In this case, 150k and seven years is a absolutely a quality part. Of course they want to evaluate the shocks, can't imagine them not. If Boge honors the warranty of *your_terms* I think it will be just for your perseverance to make the claim.




--
I own a Volvo or Does Volvo Own Me? Try the easy to search Expanded Style FAQ Index http://40mph.com/Brickboard_700-900_FAQ_Expanded_Index_Version/

Lifetime=Lifetime of the parts, not your lifetime or the lifetime of the car. It is also generally accepted that warranties cover defects in the product only.

You have a set of struts/shocks that are completely shot at 150K. This is no surprise. You have apparently been driving your 240 for 495K miles (or some part thereof) so you should know that the life span of a shock is about half of what you have put on these.

None of my business, really, but I think that your claim is unethical and dishonest. You are going to send them a completely worn out set of shocks/struts and expect a free replacement?? Really? No wonder some of these companies fold.

i have to disagree with most of what you said jm. generally/legally these types of warranties with lifetime wording are construed to mean for the remaining period of car ownership of the purchaser of the parts. simply put that lifetime language is an inducement to buy . when you put specific conditions in your contract language such as to the original purchaser and void if abused or raced or used commercially the seller is held to that and limited to that. you cant add unstated conditions such as assuming what "everybody knows" to be the lifetime of the parts. where would you actually find that information. sounds arbitrary and a matter of opinion. i still say if youre not going to honor the period of ownership of the purchaser, barring abuse, etc. then dont state lifetime in the ads to induce purchase. that really would be false advertising at the least. oldduke

Really? This is your subject line?

Sadly I might agree with the rest of your test but that line makes me want to disregard your opinions...all of them.

It was an honest question. If the company did not state against manufacturer's defect...or state a period that it is "lifetime", he has a valid claim.

My apologies. I did not mean to be rude here. I simply find it astonishing (well, maybe that is naive) that someone would try to send back completely worn out parts for a free replacement just because the warranty includes the words "life time."

This has been explained to me by folks I know who work in service departments and also by a couple of attorneys who have defending suits along these lines. "Lifetime" is not your lifetime or the lifetime of the vehicle. It is the life expectancy of the product. "Warranty" is against defects in the product and does not cover wear. In other words, if the shocks started leaking after 1 year and 15,000 miles, he would have a warranty claim. In this case, they are just plumb worn out after more than twice their expected lifespan. He does not have a claim.

Think about how the cost of honoring a claim such as his is passed on to the rest of us when we buy the product, and you might be as perturbed by this as I am.

I'm also kind of surprised at your claims:

"This has been explained to me by folks I know who work in service departments and also by a couple of attorneys who have defending suits along these lines. "Lifetime" is not your lifetime or the lifetime of the vehicle. It is the life expectancy of the product. "Warranty" is against defects in the product and does not cover wear. In other words, if the shocks started leaking after 1 year and 15,000 miles, he would have a warranty claim. In this case, they are just plumb worn out after more than twice their expected lifespan. He does not have a claim. "

Sorry, I never would have believed anyone who told me the warranty period was limited by the expected lifetime of the part being warranted. That someone would lose, because they'd never have repeat business from me.

We all joke about whether "lifetime" refers to the life of the owner or the vehicle, but the expectation is we were perhaps enticed to buy this product over another choice by this forever warranty. Never have I heard an opinion that lifetime refers to any notion of wear life.

Yet, I believe the lifetime warranties are a successful method of offering parts with inferior quality control in competition with manufacturers who do take measures to reduce defects. It is the insurance method. They are gambling that we are buying a part to nurse a car along for a few more years beyond its normal life expectancy. The claim rate would depend on all those things they bet you won't do -- like keep receipts, keep the car, or navigate the claim procedure. And this is not to say it is only done with inferior parts. The retailer can add his own "lifetime" insurance policy regardless of the manufacturer's policy. It works. They don't lose money on this, I assure you.

But, John, about the only things I've redeemed on that deal are a few Craftsman screwdrivers, and I maybe know where you're coming from, feeling a little guilty about returning a screwdriver I've used as a pry bar. On the other hand, Sears loves it, because while I'm getting my free replacement, I'm back in their store, buying other stuff.
--
Art Benstein near Baltimore

Bakers trade bread recipes on a knead to know basis.

art i have often been impressed with your vast knowledge and willingness to help forum posters with obstreperous volvos. you have saved me some fat dollars with your advice on my 240, but have to disagree with your analysis on this one. many of the things you say are correct; however if the lifetime warranty does not cover wear out, then that should be stated as a voiding condition in the language, particularly because the vendor states other explicit conditions. i have read many lifetime warranties on car parts and other products but never saw that condition on wear out. why? because that would severely reduce the inducement to buy value of the lifetime language. having argued these kinds of consumer cases i am a big supporter of sellers and vendors spelling out their conditions and limitations clearly and completely . otherwise the consumer is at risk of getting clipped. ps- do you remember our discussion on ancient maytags- love that way you removed the surgilator(agitator to some). regards oldduke

Well, these are just opinions, and I'm not claiming to have read any fine print on any lifetime warranty. Personally, I steer clear of them, generally, because I understand they are just insurance policies. However I believe you and I are in full agreement. I can't figure out what you read in my post that would make you think otherwise. Every thought (dealing with the subject matter) you've expressed in this thread is in agreement with mine. Would you please clarify?

Bottom line is I would say Bob should be able to make his claim without any feeling that he is "ripping off Sachs." How do you think otherwise?
--
Art Benstein near Baltimore

He often broke into song because he couldn't find the key.

Got my Bilstein HD shocks and struts replaced under warranty 10 years ago. at this point and the replacements have over 120k on them. It was only after i replaced and then the bilstein rep took them for evaluation. I think now they would have to be leaking(shocks) or dead(struts) to get them replaced for free?

I bought shocks from Sears for a 1979 Olds Delta 88, 350 Olds engine,300k with a lifetime warranty including installation. Several 4-5 years later took it back, new shocks Once again, 6-7 years later, new shocks. I went back one more time. They cannot not honor the warranty.

What is the difference between the Sears, Autozone's, Advanced or the stuff they sell's life time warranty and Boge's? None. All you have to pay is shipping and probably return shipping. 98% of drivers will not keep a car a long time or drive that many miles and they play that card and loose 2% of the time and that 2% loss is made up by increased sales.

Enjoy the new shocks and struts.

Tom

hello javal- guess you bought the shocks through their mail order. never had to pay shipping or return shipping on a warranty claim, but these claims were all in store purchases. so third time , warranty wasnt honored. if that happens ,warranty language should state something like- warranty claim good only for one free replacement. that way the consumer would know more specifically what he is purchasing. now theres an idea. back in 65 bought for $5 a dunkin donuts coffee cup which said good for one free cup of coffee at each visit . used it successfully a few times then packed away the cup. found it in a box in 2012. guess what i did? youre right. guess what happened when i tried it? youre right again. guess what happened when i asked why? told price of coffee too high now . was $1.00 then, but coffee is today only$1.00 at mcdonalds. explain that one. think soon that lifetime warranties will be dinosaurs too. for you 240 sages, its like those good things in cars that have almost disappeared, to wit- stickshifts(real ones with clutch pedals) or non interference engines that dont self destruct when the timing belt busts-$$$$). apologies for bringing back bad memories. regards oldduke

I did get the third replacement with installation. They agreed. Even tested the springs. They were within spec. I put 250K of the 300k miles on the car. A life time guarantee is just that. They bet xraybob wouldn't have the car for 7 years and they lost. xray will still get new shocks but he pays shipping both ways, unless he failed to read the small print.

Hey, oldduke you can still get free coffee but it would cost a retainer of 3-6k and a civil case. They bet you wouldn't do it, I don't blame you, and they won.

Tom

I don't recall anyone ever saying Boges had a lifetime warranty. Doesn't make much sense since shocks are a wear item.
--
Paul NW Indiana '89 744 Turbo 160K/ '90 745 turbo 140K

hello sages- not familiar with boge shocks, but have seen over the years shocks from different companies with written lifetime warranties. of course that would be important. while they are a wear item, i have seen great variation in the longevity of shocks. sometimes the warranty is on the receipt and from the store, not the manufacturer. regards oldduke

hi brick sages- i really dont understand the logic of what the folks here are saying about lifetime warranties. as an attorney this would be a small claims court case. a warranty is a contract and is usually held to its plain meaning. no question this warranty is an inducement for you to buy the product. if the lifetime only means 50000m then it should say that in the fine print of the contract. if you do not come within thestated limitation imposed by the language, you cant add it later. some of these cases have been held to what is called fraud in the inducement standard . judges do not look favorably on this kind of scam . most conditions are limited to abuse, misuse, commercial use, racing, etc. and are stated up front ,and are reasonable and fair. fact is few put in a claim for this issue for the reasons stated ;usually folks forget or lose the receipt. actually in 40 years i have always bought lifetime warranties- unless there is an extra charge for them , have often put in claims for them and have never been disappointed. many products automotive and otherwise no longer give this kind of a warranty(usually now just a year or so). who remembers lifetime warranties on lee batteries? many warranties on batteries have recently changed- have you tried to enforce a prorated one based on months lately? pep boys was always good on these warranties . they are unusual b/c they have this warranty on many basic car parts, ie radiators, waterpumps. bottom line dont pull a fast one or lie but dont have any reservation about enforcing this kind of warranty if you are within the stated conditons. heres a thought- if manufacturers dont intend to honor their words they shouldnt use those fake inducements to purchase. heres another one make sure the print doesnt fade on your receipt which may sit for years in your glove compartment- write the date ,part type, vendor in ball point indelible pen on it and dont lose it. dont let your feelings get hurt if someone opines youre a cheap bastid for enforcing this warranty. curious whether anyone here has failed to get a warranty like this upheld at the vendor. also watch tire warranties which are getting complicated in their language. regards oldduke

Lordy...please break up the text and maybe learn capitalization. I could not read it all without a headache so I apologize now if I cover something you mentioned.

Warranties that are lifetime normally have a lot of small print written, I am sure, by lawyers. In this case, I would bet the lifetime warranty is against manufacturer defect only, as many have said or implied by their responses. If the shocks are worn out, is that manufacturer defect?

In some cases, the "lifetime" of a product is actually defined in said small print and it is often no included with the product itself. There is just a friendly note "for more information about this warranty please see our website or contact us 123-456-7890".

I still think OP should try. He should also not be too disappointed if he does not meet the letter of the requirements for the lifetime replacement.

hi onkel. sorry for your headache.i avoid capitals in informal notes in the interest of brevity. i thought writing in complete sentences and using periods enhanced clarity. by the way who is the OP? in any event most of what you say is right . you should read the warranty and ask for clarification as needed. the plain meaning of lifetime warranty in the absence of conditional language means it will be replaced if it wears out. this is why many vendors have stopped giving this kind of a warranty. i have never had a problem or failed to get satisfaction when i have had a claim. if you say lifetime how can you later add language or include fine print that it only means 50000 miles. sages used to call that a fast one. regards oldduke ps- i recommend two bayer aspirins for your headache unless youre allergic . uncle moe was so he took a mint julep for a remedy .

OP is original poster.

thank you onkel. oldduke

usually parts with a lifetime warranty have the warranty as an incentive or price point. they know that a very few people will take advantage of the warranty. if they wish to limit the warranty they have the ability to do so. so, they made their contract, and the buyer accepted the SELLERS terms.For all the 150k vehicles they must support there are many more that get wrecked, go to the junkyard, etc. at a premature age. you are entitled to warranty, I would think, barring some unusual circumstance, such as taxi or rental car useage, stunt driving in the demolition derby, etc.

I think you're in for an uphill battle - and I think it's wrong to pursue a free replacement on a part that's reached the end of a normal useable time. 150K on shocks is a looong time. I wouldn't try to get a free replacement on brake rotors that lasted me 10 years and 3 turnings (not that I get rotors turned routinely) because that's normal wear. At 75K, I expect most shocks to be pretty shot. Hopefully I'll have new ones before I ride them even up to 100K.
The boge turbo-gas shocks in my car are a bit tired at only 35K miles, and I want to replace them already.

Anyway, usually "lifetime warranty" really means "lifetime warranty that we didn't make it wrong/defective in the first place".

Hi Bob,

Interesting post. I'm no lawyer but a lifetime warranty, I would think, should cover your lifetime, and since you're posting this message, it would appear you are going strong. Alternately, the lifetime of the component would seem to be another matter, and I would venture that lifetime warranties are primarily selling tactics that, hopefully, sellers do not have to make good on. Of course there must be some vendors that are so awfully proud of their indestructible product they were willing to offer lifetime warranties to make that statement.

I've observed that the lifetime warranty of an Advance Auto caliper only refers to the life of the first rebuilt caliper. The second replacement no longer is provided the lifetime warranty. This infers that the second caliper is inferior - not being warranted - although it is the same style caliper that's been rebuilt twenty times in a sweat shop just like the first one.

I'm still waiting to see someone who comments on how they took advantage of the lifetime warranty provided on the Volvo exhaust systems. Odd that the original exhaust on my 93's lasted some 15 years, while the genuine replacement units last only four.

I'd like to hear some more about "lifetime" warranties on other 240 products. Truth be told, I'm especially frugal, if I may, and opportunities for cost savings are very much appreciated.

Marty Wolfson

Proud member of the 300K club

Oleseahorse wrote, "I'm still waiting to see someone who comments on how they took advantage of the lifetime warranty provided on the Volvo exhaust systems. Odd that the original exhaust on my 93's lasted some 15 years, while the genuine replacement units last only four. "


I did use the "lifetime warranty" on exaust systems on my two 240. I have a 1982 and 1991. In the old days mufflers would last 4 to 6 years at the most on my cars. I was doing installation myself and Volvo always honored the lifetime warranty because it was me and was also the same car.

Last time I used the lifetime warranty was in 1997. The clerk at the parts counter told me the replacement muffers now might last a long time because the inside layer was stainless steel while outside was aluminized steel. Both ends and connectors seem to be quite corrosion resistant. Both cars are still running on these mufflers. I live near Montreal where road salt is used generously in winter. I was told that now Volvo replacements are of average quality.

I later picked 2 sets of these corrosion resistant mufflers at the scrap yards. Now I hope these spares last for the life of both cars.

Lifetime warranties usually cover defects in the product during its lifetime, and not normal wear and tear. See my other post. For what a set of Boge struts/shocks cost, you got more than your money's worth. Time to move on and buy another pair if you liked the ride they gave you. Boge/IPD are not going to give you a dime unless you lie about the mileage on those shocks.

Sorry, but I really do not understand your thinking here. 150K is WELL past the life expectancy of a shock absorber. I have seen Bilsteins last 100K but I would expect Boges to fail between 50K-75K.

I have found that most front struts are worn out after 50-60,000 miles. The rear shocks last longer but 150,000 is well past their life expectancy. I really do not understand what your beef is here?

This whole thread is based on xraybob's claim that the Boge shocks HAD a "lifetime" warranty. Somewhere there is some fine print from 7 years ago that I'm sure states that the warranty is in the event of a manufacturer's defect which was already stated several times already. Worn out parts are not defective,............. just worn out.

I find this exercise to "put it to the manufacturer" by the consumer, to be repulsive.

Man up! Buy some shocks.