Quite possible, i've come across quite alot of crap from china whilst performing NDT tests on certain parts.

Some of these parts have been cast in China, and were the forks for the cables on suspension bridges.

The fact that the end of the forks you couldn't even get a sound signal through on a Ultrasonic Test.

But as mentioned before, that usually Eurocarparts and GSF supply pattern parts of a good spec.

I bought my original ATE discs and pads from ECP and i've been more than happy with the level of braking strength, i think the only downside is that 288mm brakes are a little small for a bigger car and i've found the ATE pads to have worn pretty quickly.

I've used many pattern brake parts for my 1.3 mk2 and 1.6 mk3 astra, and been quite impressed with the level of braking achieved.

As steering and braking are my main concerns, although the vacuum system from the engine could be a problem if the engine stopped.

I've attatched another photo to the original post.

I think i've spotted another crack running along the toe of the weld.

Eeek. That's nasty.

Looks like metal fatigue to me. Either dodgy casting or even dodgier welding.

I doubt VOSA will be too interested as they are after-market, otherwise they would spend all their recalling cars just in case knock-off had been fitted.

i would never put cheap crap suspension parts on my car in the first place.. they will never be up to the standard of the oem part... take this as a lesson for the future...

get both swapped for oem parts.

i hate to sound harsh but you get what you pay for simple as that.

:iagree: I had a lad at work ask me to fit 2 lower arms to his micra,he turned up with 2 ebay cheapo cr*p arms,they were made of such poor metal they flexed in your hand!:eek: i refused to fit them....

You are ok with pattern parts as long as they are from a known manufacturer & from a supplier you trust. If this was my car id change the other side arm to as there is no way id be driving round with that still on the car after seeing what happened to the other side! At least no harm came to you or your car,i dread to think what would of happened if you were doing motorway speeds when it broke or even going round a bend at speed!

There from FIA, which i thought was from a reputable company.

Although im now starting to have doubts, as the boots on the ball joint has split!

Once the bottom arm was took off the gap between the two parts closed up. But almost 2/3'rds have been torn apart, im starting to think monkey metal!

Whats the SP then Browny? Have you been onto Euro yet?

I've been instore today, the damage to the car isn't all that bad in fairness. It pulled the screw out of the corner of the bumper allowing the bumper to come away.

As it doesnt seem to have any plastic clips further along the bumper, as im guessing its had the bumper resprayed/replaced at some point.

Anyway they gave me two options.

1. To replace the part free of charge with an exact replacment part (which im happy with)

2. To let them send the part off for analysis and claim in labour/damage costs to repair the car if the part is found to be faulty.

Which i didn't feel too comfortable with, as there was no guarentee that the part would be deemed faulty and the car would be repaired. Although it appeared to look faulty, not everyone's viewpoint will be the same from how i see it.

From experience, there arn't many genuine people out there. Although it may have come through as faulty, i couldn't take the risk of loosing another £75-£80 because a company wants to wangle its way out of it.

The bottom ball joints were knackered already too, as the boot had split around it!

Not on for a component about 10k old!

I wish i'd kept hold of my old parts now, as i could have just slapped one of those back on and had a working car till i got hold of replacement parts.

Now i've had to leave both jacks under the car and the spare wheel jammed right under the sill incase it drops, whilst waiting for a replacement part.

Im thinking about booking it in for a 4 Wheel Geo, once the new wishbone is on.

As i wasn't all that impressed with the one i had done local.

What's the other side looking like?

I have to say I'd be getting 2 new genuine parts on that because if one has gone like that I wouldn't trust the other not to.

If you work in quality, it might be worth seeing if you can get an engineer where you work to test them for you and write a report.

As with yourself, I don't trust them to find somehow them not faulty even though they obviously are.

Might be worth getting onto trading standards if you don't feel you'll get anywhere as IMHO that is less than a year old and obviously isn't up to it.

Browny

Sorry mate but IMHO thats completely unnaceptable and it sounds as if you didn't get to speal to the MD. I would not accept a replacement and think you would be mad to do so. I would want a complete refund and be looking for them to take up the option of providing you with immediate punitive damages without recourse to legal action. Tell them as you work in QC you have access to an independant testing laboratory who are prepared to test and write a report at minimal charge which will then be forwarded to VOSA and Trading Standards. Given that it is so obviously a failure of the component, they will be held liable.

I would not under any circumstances fit anything other than a genuine OEM part. Seriously had this happened at speed on a motorway I doubt you'd be in a position to discuss things on this forum and might even have killed other road users. You would almost certainly not have a car to repair.............

Once bitten, twice shy in my book.

1. To replace the part free of charge with an exact replacment part (which im happy with) And run the risk of having potentially dodgy suspension components back on the car? Wouldn't trust those wishbones as far as I could throw 'em i'm afraid.

2. To let them send the part off for analysis and claim in labour/damage costs to repair the car if the part is found to be faulty. Most likely the 'results' will be inconclusive and you'll be fobbed off with some good ol' fashioned.............:bs:

QUOTE]

I think that is an inadequate response from them given the fact it could have cause a VERY serious accident

I never really understand why people go with non-OEM parts for components such as this. It's an unnecessary risk in my mind. Proven aftermarket items such as brake discs and pads, fair enough.

I would get a full refund and go fit the proper ones.

Steve

I'm probably going to recieve a bit more of a slateing from you guys, i left the wishbone with ECP earlier on today.

I feel such a d*** tbh, I wish i hadn't left it now, but these situations always catch me amongst many other problems I seem to have.

Having cold i've found my train of thought hasn't been too clear either, although i do struggle sometimes on my good days.

I think im going to have to have a better look at the drivers side wishbone, if the ball joint boot has split and any signs of corrosion around the joint i will demand for the snapped arm to be returned to me so i can have the test lab in the testing deparment in the same unit i work for make a report.

Then and see what the situation is for a refund.

I await the slating! :fap:

Edited 5 October, 200916 yr by Browny_37

Nobody is going to slate you mate - these things happen.

If I were you I'd go back to them this morning and request the part back. Tell them it has "been requested by another party for inspection and analysis". That should put the **** up them a little. Once you have it back, tell them that you or "others" may be taking the matter further and leave it at that.

Whatever happens get eh wishbone back. Once you have it back you are in a much stronger position. Do not leave without that wishbone though - its vital to any case you may wish to bring. You then need to contact Trading Standards as a matter of priority and arrange to see somebody.

In the meantime please call up your local Skoda dealer or Trade Parts Supplies and get a set of OEM wishbones. You owe it to yourself, your passengers, other road users and pedestrians to ensure that your vehicle is as mechanically sound as it left the factory. **** if it comes to it I'm sure we can have a whipround!

While you're at it, pack in the cold and flu drugs as they are obviously dulling your senses!

No slating from me mate

We are all duly concerned is all. IMO you had a cheap warning.

Get the shoddy part back and get it tested. Made in Chad I suspect

It is still your property unless they have given you a refund so they are obliged to give it back if asked.

Get some proper OEM wishbones as well.

Problem being, im stuck without a car at the moment. Which i could really do without.

This is the company website of the brand of part i've been using.

FAI Auto Parts

Never had a problem with fitting "pattern" wishbones or any other part really.

Either a manufacturing problem or a very cheap part!

I've never had a problem with pattern wishbones before, but then again i've never had lowering springs and wheels as heavy as these.

I do think the ball joint boot split when the arm lost its intergrity, pushing the ball joint past its normal range of operation.

So did you get an suitable outcome for this at all?

Surely a lesson for us all, sure OEM parts can be expensive, but the extra cost is worth it when the parts are so critical.

Just remember, that these incidents are entirely predictable

Couple of points...

The majority of 'OE' suspension, brake etc., parts are not actually made by the vehicle manufacturer, they are bought in from outside suppliers. In the case of suspension and braking components, consolidation means that there are now only a handful of large suppliers (although often they operate with several brand names). So, for example, if you buy brake pads from Textar, Pagid, Mintex, Don, Cobreq or Cosid you are actually buying from the same company (TMD Friction) who supply a vast number of VM's with OE parts. The front wishbones on the Octavia are probably OE supply from Lemfoerder (who also supply aftermarket). In fact the majority of replacement parts fitted in the motor trade are probably aftermarket rather than OE via the VM's parts dept. and there is not generally a problem with aftermarket parts from the known European suppliers.

Secondly, FAI have a very good reputation (TuV approved supplier) and an excellent follow-up when a part is found to be faulty - possibly one of the best in the business. They will not only replace the part, but also pay labour and for any damage done. Give them a call (IIRC they are Leighton Buzzard) ask for their Technical Dept., and explain what happened. They will collect the faulty part and do a failure analysis.