Everyone,

I just wanted to share my frustration with several parts I have gotten from FCP Groton recently and try to warn people away from them. The most recent and costly(!) experience for me was related to some front suspension work I did on my 2001 V70 T5M. I ordered new control arms and shock mounts from FCP to completely rework my front suspension with Bilstein HDs and IPD sways. Initially everything seemed fine...I installed the new control arms / shock mounts along with the Bilsteins and sway bars + endlinks (ordered from IPD thankfully!) and the car ran great! But now, only about 10k miles/9 months after the install, the control arm bushing are so completely shot that when pressing on the brakes the steering wheel jerks over several degrees! After getting OEM control arms installed I inspected the FCP control arms and the back bushings were completely ripped through, especially the right control arm, causing the shift under braking. After only 10k miles! While I do have a stiffer setup than stock, I am by no means a "crazy" driver and this appears to be way under the expected lifetime of the parts.

This leads to my second area of warning...the so called "lifetime" warranty offered by FCP on their branded parts. I did not read this closely when I ordered the parts but it has several gotchas. First of all, you have to "register" the parts on FCP's warranty webpage within 30 days of purchase despite the fact that you bought the parts from FCP! I mean come on, they obviously have the records. Next, if you actually have a problem, you are required to buy a replacement part from FCP BEFORE returning the old part and then, only after an "inspection" of the failed part, they will maybe/hopefully refund you the cost of the replacement part! What an awful warranty and, given that I didn't register the parts (this step was not indicated anywhere during the order process or in the documentation I received with the parts), I am just out of luck with my failed parts.

This has not been my only negative experience with FCP...I have also received incorrect parts in some of my orders for my other Volvos and I have been unimpressed with quality of those parts as well. This has been a "live and learn" moment for me that has been hard on my wallet ($300 for OEM control arms + labor and an alignment). I will be sticking with only OEM equipment from here on out and I am swearing off FCP and its cheap knock off parts. I wanted to post my experience to give everyone else on the forum a word of warning.

Thanks!
Brian