I have a 2008 TL Type S. Today I went to switch out my control arms, and the aftermarkets I purchased are not fitting correctly. The hole for the sway bar link is too small on both of the control arms. I purchased a set from Napa, and O'reily Auto parts. The holes measure about 7/16". Has anyone had similar issues? Hoping for a quick solution so I can get my car back on the road. I know lower control arms are fairly common on our cars. From what Acura told me the control arms for the base TL and Type S are the same; same goes for the sway bar links. The aftermarkets are a fraction of the price of OEM Acura, but I am not afraid to spend the money (we do drive Acura's). I am not new to TL's, and I work at a dealership (non-Acura). Any help or insight would be greatly appreciate it!

 

why you buy aftermarket control arm in the first place? if the LCA goes bad you can buy just the bushing and replace just that. If you think Acura part is expensive then some day you can try Lexus control arm.

 

Get the Acura bushings and replace it on the original LCA and call it a day. Return and get a refund on the non-OEM control arms if you can.

 

Are you talking about front Lower control Arms? You didn't mention which ones, front/rear?

If you are talking about the front lower arms, they are NOT the same.

The Type S has 12mm holes for the sway bar end links, the base has 10mm. (Also, the compliance bushings are different, but for the sake of fitment wouldn't impact installation.)

Therefore, since you have the S you need to get Type-S control Arms. It's likely Autozone and such list it for all 04-08 TL. it's more common than you think

The rears are the same for the base and type S

 

One of the most critical suspension components and you went aftermarket???
Used arms are all over the place.

 

check what year it replaces I'm pretty sure you got the 04-06 ones.
Acura list the 04-06 and 07-08 as different part numbers A00 and A10
If you want aftermarket for your 07 type S Autozone has them they only carry 07-08 front lower control arms

 

Update: Every auto parts store carried the incorrect part (Napa, Oreilys, and Autozone). They were all for 04-06 even though they said they did in fact fit a 2008 Type S. I finally got some correct aftermarkets off of eBay from Canada of all places. So be careful when choosing aftermarket lower control arms. The Type S (or maybe 07-08 in general) have larger link holes (I don't know what else its called). Saved roughly $500 going aftermarket so it was definitely worth the headache.

 

^^^ SO how is it save you roughly $500 again?


https://www.oemacuraparts.com/auto-p...lower-arm-scat




Part #10 cost $23.37 x 2 = $46.74 and by the time it shipped probably be around $50. I paid my local Acura dealer $481 for labor and that with a four wheel alignment included. I am kinda confuse about saving $500 for going aftermarket route in reality you actually spend more than going OEM route on a part that know fail quite quickly.

 

I know this is old thread, the alternative would be to hear "that's been discussed"..

Anyway, dont buy an upper arm made by duralast also, or whatever they have at autozone. It won't fit either. I did that a few years ago. Won't fit. Wont even go in the hole Too wide!

 

I used MEVOTECH bushings from rockauto. Paul, our star stellar mechanic herein Nawth Jerzy has a press, so I successfully kept the original control arms. 2 years now, they work just fine.
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Hello sorry to bring this back from the dead ...

im in need of lower control arm! There has to be a cheaper place!!

 

As discussed above, if you need new arms because bushings are worn out, then replace just the bushings.

Otherwise, that's the price for OEM arms.