Aftermarket Control Arms (AcDelco, Moog, Raybestos, Deeza, Dorman, Mevotech, Beck/Arn

[chinola69]

I am about to change all of my frt control arms. I am not going with Misubishi OEM parts, So my question is what brand has the best quality parts (don't take money into consideration)? AcDelco, Moog, Raybestos, Deeza, Dorman, Mevotech, Beck/Arnley, OES Genuine, Replacement?

This is all for a 2g GSX

 

[bjones18]

Good guess on which aftermarket supplier has quality parts. In general, to properly design and test parts you will easily out-spend any profits. Why? testing is expensive and aftermarket volumes are low (amortize testing & tooling over low volume).

The 2g has forged lower control arms (double ball joint design). The lateral arm has spring/jbump loads going into a tension-oriented outer ball-joint. This is a critical joint, and as most are aware, it was fixed with a recall. Has anyone ever heard of an aftermarket parts supplier having a recall? Most have a disclaimer for no guarantee. Look at the fine print.

With OEM parts, at least you know they have passed some sort of durability, on manufacturing-process-produced parts.

Fabricating a part that works is one thing. Manufacturing it for many-parts is different. Generally speaking the top "Nascar" or "A-team" fabricators are not making production parts.

I realize this is not the answer you are looking for; but that outer-ball joint wants to rip out of the arm (tension joint) everytime you hit a bump. If there is a design that has been proven on (hundreds of) thousands of cars, for hundreds of thousands of miles (OEM) it might be a good alternative.

In my opinion, the only reason to change the 2g lateral lower arm would be to incorporate a compression-outer ball joint (requires new design of knuckle and lca).

 

[1990AWD]

I've heard Moog is decent quality...

 

[LiquidX]

Which arms are you referring to? The front lower lateral arms are only about $40 each for OEM, the curved arms are going to run a couple hundred.

Out of the parts, I've been told that Moog is they way to go.

 

[nickk90]

extremepsi has the knuckle kit for $108 a side and come with both arms. OEM parts cant beat it.

 

[chinola69]

Thanks a lot guys for all the great information

 

[Jon Lane]

extremepsi has the knuckle kit for $108 a side and come with both arms. OEM parts cant beat it.

Link?