Reconditioning can threaten the structural integrity of your Volvo’s wheels.

Volvo is very clear that the company does not approve of any wheel repair that involves reconditioning. 

If you are not familiar with wheel reconditioning, it is a process of using various tools and methods to try to repair a damaged wheel, instead of replacing it entirely.  Some methods include welding, reforming, or reshaping the wheel.  

When it comes to steel and aluminum wheel repair, Volvo has issued a Position Statement explaining why they do not accept wheel reconditioning in any vehicle repairs.  Here’s what they say:

“Volvo Car USA does not approve the use of reconditioned Volvo wheels or any type of process that attempts to restore damaged wheels on Volvo vehicles. Doing so may result in loss of vehicle control and injury or death to passengers.  Reconditioning damaged Volvo wheels requires processes which can cause deficiencies in wheel strength (e.g., removal of materials, straightening, heating, welding, re-plating). Reconditioned wheels are unacceptable as they may not meet the design specifications for Volvo vehicles.”

Volvo is saying, in no uncertain terms, that it’s simply not worth the risk to your life to cut corners with the state of your wheels. 

If the wheels are damaged enough to warrant reconditioning, then they should just be replaced outright. 

Heating, welding, reshaping, and any other methods of reconditioning could compromise the structural integrity of your wheels.   Being the only parts of the car to actually make contact with the road, your wheels are essential to your safety and are worth investing in.  

 

 

 

 

What wheel repairs are approved by Volvo?

While wheel reconditioning is not approved of by Volvo, certain wheel repairs are permitted:

“Volvo Car USA only approves of wheel repairs limited to cosmetic refinishing that remove and restore paint coatings only.”

Basically, only superficial cosmetic adjustments are allowed, since they won’t jeopardize the integrity of the wheel structure. 

Minor sanding and polishing repairs do not involve the use of heat or reshaping that reconditioning would entail.  

 

 

Replace your wheel components with Genuine Volvo parts to maximize the effectiveness of your repair.

If your vehicle’s wheels require replacement, Volvo recommends that you use Genuine Volvo original equipment parts:

“Using only genuine Volvo parts will help ensure vehicle safety, performance and residual value.  Volvo genuine parts are designed and manufactured to exacting specifications to help maximize safety, performance and reliability.”

The use of aftermarket, used, or salvaged parts can put you at almost the same risk of problems as reconditioning the wheels would. 

Used and salvaged parts come with a questionable history, as it’s possible they’ve been compromised in a collision or through natural wear and tear.  A

ftermarket parts present another problem in that they are often not comprised of the highest quality materials and they are also not designed to fit the parameters of your specific make, model, and year of Volvo.  Therefore, it’s best to stick to OEM replacement parts.

 

 

Not all shops follow these recommendations, but we do.

It’s disappointing, but some shops throw caution out the window and continue to practice wheel reconditioning, despite Volvo’s clear instructions to avoid it at all costs.  They can get away with this because no body shop is actually forced to adhere to a manufacturer’s Position Statement.  

At our shop, we strongly believe that there’s no reason to take a chance with your Volvo’s repair by going against the advice of the manufacturer. 

Reconditioned wheels can lead to very dangerous problems down the road.  We will always replace your Volvo’s wheels entirely if they’ve sustained damage.  You won’t have to worry about driving on unstable wheels when you bring your vehicle to us. 

We always follow the manufacturer’s recommendation to deliver the best possible repair to our customers. 

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OEM parts are the best replacement parts for your Volvo’s collision repair.

Volvo has issued a robust position statement explaining which parts it does and does not approve of in its vehicles’ repairs. 

As a whole, Volvo does not approve of any parts other than Original Equipment Manufacturer parts.  That means no aftermarket parts, reconditioned parts, or salvaged parts are acceptable for your Volvo’s repairs.

Original Equipment Manufacturer parts have been designed specifically by Volvo to fit like a glove in its vehicles.  The parts are also made of the highest quality materials and built to complement every other part of your vehicle’s system. 

This means that OEM parts provide your Volvo with optimal safety and structural integrity, and they function well together as a whole.

 

 

The problem with aftermarket parts:

Aftermarket parts are designed to be more generic, since they are intended for use in a wide variety of vehicles.  However, because they are so generic, they are not made to Volvo’s exact specifications.  According to Volvo:

“Aftermarket parts (like bumpers, shocks, reinforcements, headlights, supports, fenders, hoods, suspension and unibody components) may interfere with the functionality of vehicle crumple zones, Supplemental Restraint Systems and drivetrain. It is also undetermined whether or not the aftermarket parts being installed meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. Use of aftermarket parts can affect vehicle warranty, if the parts cause failures to other systems directly or indirectly.”

Reconditioned parts are also unacceptable.

The biggest issue with reconditioned parts is their history is questionable. 

It is difficult to determine what kinds of damage they have sustained and how reliable their condition is after reconditioning.  Volvo has this to say about reconditioned parts:

“Genuine Volvo parts have been optimized for safety, structural integrity and fit. Reconditioned parts are not subjected to the same testing and requirements and may not be reconditioned/remanufactured to the same standards. Thus, aftermarket parts may compromise the vehicle’s performance and safety, placing passengers at risk. Reconditioned Parts are also not traceable should a recall occur in the future.”

Like Kind Quality parts are problematic, as well.

As with reconditioned parts, it is difficult to determine the history of LKQ, salvaged, or recycled parts.  They might have been subjected to damage in a collision, extreme weather conditions, or even through general wear and tear.  

Proper adhesives and hardware are important, too.

As with all other vehicle components, Volvo requires that specific Volvo Car adhesives be used in repairs.  Volvo also requires that all damaged hardware be replaced with Genuine Volvo Car replacement parts. 

As with all other non-OEM parts, non-OEM hardware is not subjected to the same standards that Volvo upholds for its own parts.

 

 

The quality of your repair matters to us.

Even though Volvo has provided a detailed statement explaining that only Genuine Volvo parts are acceptable in the repairs of its vehicles, you might be surprised to discover how many body shops choose to ignore this recommendation. 

Because no one is actually forcing shops to follow a manufacturer’s guidelines, some shops will choose to cut corners and use whatever parts they can get ahold of.    

We take every repair very seriously at our shop and promise to deliver the best possible result.  We do this by adhering to the guidelines set by the manufacturer and using only genuine OEM parts. 

We believe this is the only way to ensure your Volvo’s structural integrity, performance, and safety.  

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