Thought I would start a thread on aftermarket parts suppliers for which we are now mostly limited to.

Traditional suppliers are:
http://www.gsfcarparts.com/
http://www.eurocarparts.co.uk/ecp/p/Car-Parts
http://www.partsforvolvoonline.com/
http://www.carpanels.co.uk/ (Hadrian group)
http://www.volvo.car-brakes.co.uk/

Well just got handbrake cables, wheel cylinders, rear bearing from http://www.buypartsby.co.uk/ (Sutton auto factors). Also ordered KYB rear mono tubes, coming separately.

Ordering was ok, but no on-line stock indication, and when I phoned to combine 2 orders they refunded a £10 delivery charge.

Delivery was quick but very poorly packaged. Was simply bagged in a thin plastic bag which was ripped open, and the all the boxes where open, bearing box complelely destroyed. Luckily all items present, thanks to delivery guys.

Parts seem ok, but one of the wheel cylinders was wrong and didn't fit (looked similar but different car). They are posting out a replacement with no need to return the original.

Wheel cyl - QH
Handbrake cables: power train and another brand (2 different lengths)
Wheel bearing: Fag (could be OE).

Overall rating: sloppy but adequate.

Anyone tried mintbitz brake disks?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... K:MEWAX:IT

http://www.nordicpartsdirect.co.uk/

These guys are ace for 300 only parts, rather than a standard motorfactors. Wouldn't sell me a third party radiator for Fake as he knew I rallied it, got me a genuine that needed a recore instead and sorted it all out for me for less pennies. Handbrake cables for my rear axle swap etc all sorted awesomely.

FWIW, I tend to use the dealer a lot still. The still have a lot of parts that are of use to us.

My current issue is brake caliper slide bolts, but being Bendix I can't imagine they arn't common somewhere else too.

besides suppliers; we also should be on the lookout for parts that are used on other vehicles. it's too bad that this is a pain in the ass to find out..

the recent development about the steering damper from the BX will fit all 300's except PAS models is very positive.
i know that the B14 waterpump used from MY82 and later is the same unit as Renault 18 - Fuego 1.4, Traffic 1.4
i believe the outer steering joints are porsche 928, but don't know that for sure.
front brake pads MY78 and later audi 80
340's and 360's rear brake parts match other cars too (ford transit and ford escort i believe but not sure anymore!!)

the most important thing with a look on the future will definatly be the upper strut mounting (where the strut bolts to the body), if these crack the MOT guy should fail the car.

anyway; a list like that for confirmed parts would be very usefull too!

I agree with you Anjo, it's where most of my bits end up being sourced from. I'm finding what cars used the same calipers atm so I can find these slide pins.

http://www.skandix.de

Usual range of 300 parts +

Brake service kits, sliders pins, steering damper, front headlight lenses, gearbox gaskets, bushes, heater rad + blower, body plugs, plastic studs, labels, model cars, VDO gauges, pedal rubbers. Lots of OE kit and own brand stuff.

But most disapointed to see the rear radius arm/torque control arm listed but discontinued.

WHY is this topic not stickied?

I agree, this is quite useful another one is http://classicvolvoparts.com/, I dont know if thats the correct one, or look for that on ebay, I got my carb refurb kit and a couple of indicator stalks fromt hem for a good price

A few useful parts here occasionally.

Currently:
Front indicator
Handbrake cable
front pads
66 head gasket
Early ignition module
CV joint kit

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/CLEARANCE-AGEN ... DIFFERENCE

Dafhobby (esp. vario-related stuff):
http://www.dafhobby.nl/pages/daf_en_vol ... icpag.html

volvomania on this forum:
http://verkopers.marktplaats.nl/15615331

classicswede on this forum:
http://www.classicswede.com/untitled-2.html

Body panels (suppliers to Hadrian etc.)
http://www.klokkerholm.com/xProductCata ... oup=649003

Cheers

Tom

I see Tom has mentioned DafHobby - I have bought from Danny recently and found his
service excellent.

He has for example, driveshaft "wavy" gaskets in stock (@ 2.85Eur)



and 32DIR idle valves (@ 19.50Eur) considerably cheaper than Webcon (but Danny's supplier is now shut down - so stock only left)



and B14 cap & arms (yes we can still get but of variable quality) which look to be of excellent quality.
(cap is 7.95Eur and arm is 4.88Eur)



Danny is amenable to discount for "group buys" so look at his site and express any interests.

As ever postage from Europe can be a little high on small orders so it makes sense to "bulk buy"

Mac

In the past, Danny has driven over the border to Germany so that he could post a complete exhaust system to me more cheaply. Great service

Cheers

Tom

Afternoon Kiddies,

Been rooting about and had a chat with SKF - they now can provide a wheelbearing kit for our little darlings
which not only includes the seal but also the "unobtainable" hub nut !!!!

The twin pack of top strut bearings are also available again (singles always have been about).

SKF suggested that I could order through ECP even thought ECP don't list them.

I made a trial purchase from ECP (Ipswich branch) using the SKF numbers - specifically asking for SKF.!

Twin pack strut top bearings VKD 35012T translates into ECP number 669 75 0010
Single side wheel bearing kit VKBA 502 translates into ECP number 628 66 0010

Both parts required ordering but arrived within 3 days.

The strut top packs were spot on and priced @ £13.83
The wheel bearing kits were supplied as SNR bearings without the hub nut and priced @ £24.50 (single wheel remember).
We "discussed" the fact that I had specified SKF and that SKF had directed me to them!
The wheel bearings were re-ordered (by that I mean ordered rather than grabbing what they had in stock).
4 days later, a call, SKF kits arrived and are priced @ £13.00 + vat. each !!!
Collected wheel bearings - correct SKF - with hub nuts and I indeed paid £15.20 each kit, (after an initial attempt by
ECP to charge me £38.00 each - which prompted a further "discussion")







If you go for SKF via ECP you must specify SKF special order (or you will get generic stock and no hub nut) and clarify
the price as ECP seem very easily "confused" over what they quote. NB ECP list the strut tops as Rover parts.

Mac.

ECP are the single most useless place I've managed to find. Great news on SKF however, good show to get a kit together. Thanks for the SKF number Mac, worth remembering that any tame SKF supplier should be able to get them in too.

I'd agree with Chris about ECP, but I would also put GSF in the same boat. Near useless bawbags.

I have released a website with all the parts offered through the Born Built Beauties brand.
The website can be found at www.born-built-beauties.eu