Sandan

OK, so I have reviewed several options here. The complete OEM control arm is way too expensive. I can get the bushings and get it professionally removed and installed as DIYing them would be a PIA..... Or I can buy aftermarket. I have used aftermarket "MOOG" brand lower control arms on my previous ride that got totaled "05 Honda Accord 5M/T" and found their quality and workmanship to be at par to OEM. Would like to know your thoughts which brand aftermarket front lower control are the best. I will be DIYing the whole install so even if after a yr the lower control arm fails it would be OK to just redo the job....

Any preference as to what brand after market control arms would be good.....

Love to hear your feedback...

Sandan

truonghthe

Just get OEM bushing and have them replace just the bushing. I paid $482 with 4 wheels alignment included for two bushing replacement at the dealer.

thoiboi

DIY isn't that hard.. https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-p.../#post14334091

Someone @nfnsquared created a DIY press and it's more than doable. Or just remove the LCA and take it to a mechanic with a press to install it. Moog typically isn't too bad but for the Acura LCA, I'd just buy some OEM or PCI spherical bushings (reviewed here: https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-t...cement-954321/

BROlando

lol...Moog is nowhere near as good as OEM quality.

If you're looking to save a little $, buy Acura genuine bushings and have them pressed in. You may want to just buy all the bushings.

I would probably opt to buy entire arm assemblies from Acura, as the labour costs to press bushings may trump the cost of buying whole arms.

Beck Arnley may be a better option for non-OEM arms. But they may also be junk.

If you buy Moog...keep the reciept. You'll likely need to use the warranty

Turbonut

iTrader: (1)

For the price look at Mevotech with a Lifetime warranty. We know the bushings go south with the OEM units, so how bad can they be @ $70 each?

BROlando

OEMs usually last well over 100K. Nothing lasts forever.

I doubt you'll get 50K miles out of a typical aftermarket "OE replacement" part.

Turbonut

iTrader: (1)

That's certainly hypothetical as no data has been given to verify that statement.
Replaced the rear hubs on our '08 knock around car with aftermarket and they've been OK for over 120k miles.
The OEM were $205 each, aftermarket total $60 for both, lifetime warranty.

BROlando

The OEM's on my TSX lasted over 100K and they weren't cracked. I replaced them with moogs, which both tore out of their casings in 40-50K.

I've also been around and seen this on other aftermarket sets. 40-50K is actually a LONG lifespan for aftermarket bushings.

Hubs aren't the same as bushings. And depending on what brand of hubs you got, you may have recieved a similar to OEM quality part.

We've been through this discussion. Its going to go off topic again even after I prove my point is solid.

I'm sure you won't answer...but how long have your OEM bushings lasted? Have you compared them to aftermarket?

Turbonut

iTrader: (1)

Why wouldn't I answer? On the TL no bushings have been changed since new ('04-103k miles) and having bushings lasting just over 100k miles is pretty poor quality in my opinion. Geez, I can't remember when I needed to change a bushing and some of my cars had close to 300k miles. Let me take that back, the daughter's Hemi Grand needed the front diff bushings changed at 140K miles, just more poor quality from Jeep.

What I was trying to point out is that the replacement hubs were $58 compared to $410, so if they were similar to OEM as you state, quite a savings, $352. What's the downside?

BROlando

??? 100K is a LONG time for pivoting compliance bushings. None of the other bushings are prone to wear. That type of compliance bushing has its advantages, and lots of manufacturers use them (BMW, Mercedes, Mazda, etc). Very few last 100K+ miles on the regular like the ones from Honda do.

You're straying from the point.

OEM compliance bushings last 100K+ as a conservative estimate. I've seen them go 200+K.

That is insanely long for that type of bushing.
Aftermarket ones last MAYBE 50K.

OEM bushings cost roughly double in most cases. The labour cost is very high...so the less times you change them, the better.

You said your OEM's have 103K on them and they're fine? Have you seen 103K mile used AFTERMARKET bushings?

Yours haven't been replaced...so why are you saying they're bad quality? They may last 200K for all you know.

Unlike hubs, you're going to be hard pressed to find a bushing that matches (or even gets close) to a genuine Honda bushing in terms of longevity and quality. Aftermarket hubs are a little touch and go for certain types of use....but we won't go there. Your aftermarket hubs work for your purposes. I'll leave it at that.

There are some things that work a lot better when they're spec'd and engineered by Honda. For those things, I would not recommend aftermarket.

Turbonut

iTrader: (1)

My RX7 TII has 211k miles on the bushings, 2008 Kia 274K miles, Nissan Maxima, 264K miles, I could keep going. Maybe I will. As I stated before, all of the cars I've worked on have never needed LCA bushings, but come to think about the situation, I've never worked on many Acura's, guess that's the key, poor bushing quality or poor engineering.
Maybe a change from OEM might be best.
Evidence?
https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-p...d-look-707888/

BROlando

....

Ok.

YOUR TL has 103K miles and the bushings are good.

Yes?

DMZ

Paul, our star mechanic in NJ recommends the MEVOTECH lower control arm replacements sold by rockauto.
He's had good luck with them and they're about ¼ the price of the OEM's.
.
.

Turbonut

iTrader: (1)

Now that's a recommendation that can't be topped.

MikeTC

If you're a DIY type, buying Honda/Acura bushings (~$55) and invest in the DIY pressing tool (~$40) proved to be a winner for me. I'm good if it last another 100K mi.

Hambizzle1

Well, I am overdue to tighten up my suspension. Both of the compliance bushings are shot, but went online and found the LCAs for 54 each (no Ball-joint). Great deal, and beats having to replace all of the bushings. Do most of you just do the bushings, or has the LCA pricing come down to not making it worth the effort. I will likely replace them this weekend.

Turbonut

iTrader: (1)

https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-t...estion-960564/

DMZ

You know it!
.
.

jzhu625

iTrader: (2)

does anyone know the bushing part #? 07 TL-S Auto
thanks!

flyromeo3

When I changed mine, I purchased two new lower control arms. I believe I paid 200 or so for each.
It was cheaper than buying the ball joint, bushings etc. I did the work myself so saved on labor. except the alignment afterwards.

Turbonut

iTrader: (1)

Same for all 3G:
51394-SEP-A11 Bush Assembly, Front Compliance $33.38/$25.04
51393-SEP-A01 Bush, Front Arm (Lower) $33.10/$24.83

jzhu625

iTrader: (2)

thanks for the part numbers, with the parts and labor for bushings, might as well get MEVOTECH? direct plug and play

Turbonut

iTrader: (1)

6C0DF59CB9B15B
Use the code and get an additional 5% off parts. Enter this code in the ‘How Did You Hear about Us’ box to receive discount
Good thru 10/11/07

Sandan

Thanks for all the inputs guys....love it.... I finally bought the moogs, When the OEM control arms come out....I will replace them with OEM bushings and keep them in stock. This way I will not be without a ride.....Cause the pressing of bushing by a shop will take time......have to match up my diying timings to their open/close schedule. This way I have a set on standby when the aftermarket fails....the only thing that i think of now is that I should have bought the moventech ones and they are much cheaper than the moogs and would have worked better in my case....
I have had good experience with Moog's quality...will post some pictures of the MOOG control arms and you will see their attention to detail and workmanship.....the bushing quality will only to be proven by the mileage and that will take time...lol

And yes used that code on rockauto and got my 5% off....Thank you all...keep the conversation going......But with cheap cost of aftermarket LCA just makes perfect sense for diying this job in a couple of hours then messing around with OEM bushings etc as it takse a hell of a time trying to muscle with those.....and throws your diying timings out of wack....

Thank You
SANDAN

thoiboi

Pressing in a bushing takes time...?


Like 5-10 minutes each maybe...

jzhu625

iTrader: (2)

great! oRDERED@!@!

jzhu625

iTrader: (2)

i ordered MEVOTECH left and right LCA, i wonder which bolts i have to pre-loaded?

Turbonut

iTrader: (1)

Just make certain the suspension is loaded when you tighten the bolts. You don't want the suspension hanging, so either have it on a ramp, so that when changed, you can lower it onto the ramp to tighten, or a jack under the LCA. That goes for all the bolts you'll remove from the LCA.

Just want you to know the LCA does not come with the ball joint so might as well purchase a couple of them, easier than trying to remove and reuse the old units. In fact, many damage the BJ when trying to do the removal.

jzhu625

iTrader: (2)

cool, thanks, i might do it myself or find a shop or someone do it.

BROlando

The ball joint is attached to the spindle. Its only taper seated to the LCA.

Turbonut

iTrader: (1)

I stand corrected, thinking about different vehicle. You are correct in that it would be harder to replace the BJ, so be careful not to damage the boot when removing the lca.

nfnsquared

If you're going to replace the bushings, go with the PCI compliance bushings!!

jzhu625

iTrader: (2)

so i received the MEVOTECH LCA arm but the stabilizer link hole from MEVOTECH is smaller. my car is 07 TL-S

thoiboi

Drill it out

Most people recommended OEM.

jzhu625

iTrader: (2)

that's the plan, drill it!

Turbonut

iTrader: (1)

That's a PIA. Checked and Rock has the same arm listed for 3.2 & 3.5. Let them know about the problem.

BROlando

I dont think MEVOTECH specifies different arms for TL-S's. They're likely list the same arm for TSX's and Accords too. They use the same bushings and hole patterns for all those cars. You'll notice that the aftermarket arms also do not have a ball joint sleeve. The ball joint presses into the arm directly. The "meh, close enough" R&D approach is so cool.

I wonder why Acura spent time on R&D to scrutinize different arm versions and bushing construction for different platforms. I wonder why MEVOTECH didn't. Ah whatever. Its all the same, right?

jzhu625

iTrader: (2)

i just found out that 07/08 use 51394-SEP-A11 Bushing
04-06 use

51394-SEP-A01

jzhu625

iTrader: (2)

actually the Mevotech LCA came with LBJ sleeve.

guitarplayer16

iTrader: (8)

Do what people said on FB

Did you buy the step drill bit?