Does this make sense?

Ball Joint: dealer $112.00 each; FCP $15.00; IPD $44.05; Volvoworld $15.81
Tie Rod End: dealer $53.00 each; FCP $8.00; IPD $25.00; Volvoworld $10.78


Is the old addage right, you get what you pay for? Or is the dealer out to hose you? Where should I get them from?

Fitted a cheapos about three years ago and lasted about a year (15kmiles). Water ingress in one and plane worn ball in other caused too much play, knocking and failed inspection. VERY disapointing!!

Went to Volvo dealer in Sweden and got a set ball joints for $45 each.

Done 30kmiles since and three months ago I changed my front shocks (struts) and checked the joints. There were both still stiff!!

There is a difference in quality, trick to find out what there are selling you for the cheap price.

Reg,

Jorn

eeuroparts.com has the outer tie rod ends for $7.90 each.
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1991 245, 61k miles, looking for a 5 speed 92-93 245 cheap.

I was amazed when I discovered the same thing. Be sure to compare brand names. I've seen the very same part vary a lot in price, sometime triple for the exact same part. If Groton has the brand you want, they are often a great place to buy.
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Thanks to everyone for the help, Doug C. 81 242 Brick Off Blocks, stock, M46; 86 244, 140k , auto.

I got my whole front end from FCP and have not had any problems since. The ball joints and tie rod ends fit perfectly and I believe are German Made. In my opinion FCP sells good parts at good prices but hey if you can get someone else to pay 2X or more for the same part why wouldn't you take their money. Also check Ebay Auction under Volvo 240 to see if FCP has any current auctions running. When I bought my front end parts kit I saved about $10-15 compared to if I bought everything seperate on their web-site. Good Luck!

Sincerely,
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Julio Meza

1979 264GL B27F 122K

Features Added:

BW55 To M46, Central Locking System, 25mm IPD Front Sway Bar, 81+ Dash W/ Oil & Ambient Temp Gauges In C, Oil Pressure, Volts

Next Project:

+Cruise Control

I'd go IPD or FCP.

I get tons of stuff from IPD when I need it since I live in Portland. (I can go pick it up, I don't have to deal with shipping.)

I stay away from the dealer unless it's some special part I absolutely can't get anywhere else. They don't care about your old car, they just want your money.
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If you listen to the radio in Portland, OR, you may know me as "Portland's Favorite Soul Brother!"

Also check your local (good) auto parts house for prices. TRW ball joints are around $20. Volvo has about a 4% profit margin on cars, but probably a 50+% margin on parts and repairs, so steer clear of them for routine things like BJ's. I have about 100K aggregate miles on BJ's and outer tie rod ends from fcpgroton, so for the price I can't complain.