I'm going to catch hell for this, but here goes anyway, My front compliance bushings were shot on my 08 TL-S and I could not afford OEM arms so I went with Mevotech supreme from Summit. They showed up looked legit, but when had them installed my tech called me to tell me that the hole for the sway bar link pin was too small. I found it odd since Summit "assured" me that they had sent me the right part. However after looking up the part numbers on Mevotechs website, I found out they were not the right part. So my tech drilled out the link pin holes and I was hooked up and on my way, but only to have major creaking noises coming from the front end, assuming the wrong arms. So i got a pair of the correct fit Mevotech arms and going to have them installed next week. I called Summit and tore into them, at first they asked for me to remove the arms and send them back before I got a refund, but I demanded they refunded my money due to it being 100% their fault. So after a bit of noise I got the refund... car drove great outside the creaking noises. Hopefully the correct application part will not creak. Fingers crossed!

 

the creaking is probably not related to the LCA being incorrect.

I'd ask the shop to confirm the issue.

A common source of creaking is lower ball joints.

 

I would never, EVER buy anything specific to our TL's from either Summit or Jegs; I consider them more domestic V8 parts sites. Universal parts, like AN fittings/lines, pressure gages, tools? Absolutely.

Anything specifically for our cars, I trust even RockAuto more than Summit/Jegs, and even RA sometimes sends sub-OEM-quality parts from time to time.

 

If you're looking for OEM quality, you virtually always have to buy the original part from a dealer.

 

For the most part the creaking is only noticeable when braking and coming almost to a complete stop, then another couple creaks after taking off from the stop, but also can be heard when hitting the curb pulling into my driveway. I can really get the creak to happen if I just drive back and forth in my driveway... braking hard just before stop = creaks, accelerating fast after stop = creaks... Its very similar to the ever so popular "clicking noise" that a lot of TL owners have experienced (I one of them). The noise only started after I had the LCA's installed, however I agree with you thinking that the noise is not related to it. But keeping my fingers crossed.

 

I replaced both lower control arms with rockauto parts on my tl-s and I had to drill the sway bar link hole bugger so it could fit. Can’t remember which side it was, but the other side fit without modification.

I had a creak on the front driver’s side whenever I would turn the steering wheel while stationary or at 1-2 mph. Replaced the driver’s side lower ball joint and it went away

 

Ball joints can easily be damaged when doing control arms.

Usually from someone improperly pressing them in/out of the arm or out of the metal sleeve.

Or trying to zap them with an impact and spinning the stud at high speed.

If your ball joints are the culprit...I would strongly recommend buying new ones from Honda/Acura rather than aftermaket. It isn't worth trying to save $50 on this part. Buy the factory part.

 

I had to have my tech drill out both sides. but then realized that it was cause they were for an 04-06 base model. Got the right ones from Rock Auto and now no noises at all!

 

Not a chance, I had a 15 year Honda tech change them, I know he used the actual ball joint tool for it. Now since I have the actual right arms in there the noise is gone. so happy!

 

I bought some upper control arms from Autozone, (duralast) and they were too wide! They would not fit in the slot/hole. They were just about a micron too wide.. But it made a difference. I had to take them back. I was angry that day. haha