2003 Honda Civic Front suspension components Help

[maverickfhs]

Just bought all the parts from Rock auto and everything Beck Arnley, except LCA's. Bought both LCA's from Moog!

Thanks again for all of your help and patience guys!

 

[cb450sc]

Originally Posted By: silverrat
Originally Posted By: maverickfhs
Originally Posted By: mclasser

One tip is to order through the Honda eStore and pick up at your local dealer. Prices are cheaper than just walking into the dealer and you don't get hosed on shipping like with online retailers.


For some reason, local dealers in my area are a RIP off, even if I use estore ;(


The online Honda vendors (who are Honda dealers) prices are very good. I'm restricted to ordering from a Canadian only due to licensing issues I think. No US online OEM Honda dealer will ship to me.


Which online Canadian vendors do you use?

 

[silverrat]

Originally Posted By: cb450sc
Originally Posted By: silverrat
Originally Posted By: maverickfhs
Originally Posted By: mclasser

One tip is to order through the Honda eStore and pick up at your local dealer. Prices are cheaper than just walking into the dealer and you don't get hosed on shipping like with online retailers.


For some reason, local dealers in my area are a RIP off, even if I use estore ;(


The online Honda vendors (who are Honda dealers) prices are very good. I'm restricted to ordering from a Canadian only due to licensing issues I think. No US online OEM Honda dealer will ship to me.


Which online Canadian vendors do you use?


TorontoHondaParts.com that is the dealership Toronto Honda. Use the code HondaTech for 20% off. Their shipping is a little high but I usually drive down and pick up. Good prices and the part drawings help a ton.

 

[kschachn]

Years ago Beck Arnley was decent quality and often was a re-boxed OEM part. Not any more, all I ever see now are Chinese or (if you're lucky) Taiwanese parts in plan boxes. IMO they are not worth it any more.

And the last control arms I bought for my Accord were Moog, but one was a re-boxed 555 part and the other was a white box Taiwan part. Guess which one lasted about a year or so (and was replaced with a 555 arm) and which one is still going strong 4 years later?

For me it's either 555 or Honda brand.

 

[maverickfhs]

Originally Posted By: kschachn
Years ago Beck Arnley was decent quality and often was a re-boxed OEM part. Not any more, all I ever see now are Chinese or (if you're lucky) Taiwanese parts in plan boxes. IMO they are not worth it any more.

And the last control arms I bought for my Accord were Moog, but one was a re-boxed 555 part and the other was a white box Taiwan part. Guess which one lasted about a year or so (and was replaced with a 555 arm) and which one is still going strong 4 years later?

For me it's either 555 or Honda brand.


Thanks, I have ordered the parts from Rock auto and will be receiving them this week. Hopefully it'll be all Japanese one, but will see!

BTW, where did you order 555 one? I have heard good things about them, but couldn't see them on Rock auto.

 

[kschachn]

Originally Posted By: maverickfhs
BTW, where did you order 555 one? I have heard good things about them, but couldn't see them on Rock auto.


Rock Auto does not sell them directly, sometimes you can see that the picture for the Moog part shows its a 555. But like I mentioned that isn't always what you get in the box.

Partsgeek sells 555 parts though for a lot of items. Many suspension parts are made by 555 for Honda, so I just usually go for whichever one of the two is cheaper.

 

[maverickfhs]

Thanks for your help and input. Will check partsgeek for price comparison.

 

[stephen9666]

I've bought quite a few B/A parts over the last several years and it's all been quality stuff. For me, at least, the complaints about B/A declining are overblown. A couple parts have been Chinese, but they were still good quality and better than low-end aftermarket stuff.

Another good thing about them, if you email them with the part number they'll tell you the country of origin for the part. So for future reference, that's something to do before you order.

 

[maverickfhs]

Originally Posted By: stephen9666
I've bought quite a few B/A parts over the last several years and it's all been quality stuff. For me, at least, the complaints about B/A declining are overblown. A couple parts have been Chinese, but they were still good quality and better than low-end aftermarket stuff.

Another good thing about them, if you email them with the part number they'll tell you the country of origin for the part. So for future reference, that's something to do before you order.


Thanks, that's very helpful and going to keep in mind in future.

I tend to agree with you, I have bought a fee gaskets and other small parts of B/A for Honda and they were made in Japan and so far holding it well.

 

[maverickfhs]

Actually just sent them an email too. Let's see what they say.

 

[maverickfhs]

Originally Posted By: kschachn
Years ago Beck Arnley was decent quality and often was a re-boxed OEM part. Not any more, all I ever see now are Chinese or (if you're lucky) Taiwanese parts in plan boxes. IMO they are not worth it any more.

And the last control arms I bought for my Accord were Moog, but one was a re-boxed 555 part and the other was a white box Taiwan part. Guess which one lasted about a year or so (and was replaced with a 555 arm) and which one is still going strong 4 years later?

For me it's either 555 or Honda brand.


Dang, looks like these B/A suspension components are made in Taiwan and not Japan. Should I be concerned? I know, you get what you pay for !

 

[maverickfhs]

And moog LCAs are Made in China

 

[MarkM66]

Do all these parts actually need to be replaced?

I have a 2001 with 305k miles. The only thing that has needed to be replaced is the compliance bushings. Replaced those with Moog at around 150k, they seem to be holding up better that OEM.

 

[maverickfhs]

Originally Posted By: MarkM66
Do all these parts actually need to be replaced?

I have a 2001 with 305k miles. The only thing that has needed to be replaced is the compliance bushings. Replaced those with Moog at around 150k, they seem to be holding up better that OEM.


Thanks, both sides compliance bushings are cracked, so definitely yes.

Outer tie rods, rubber is cracking and deteriorating and so for one side of lower ball joint.

We are replacing it because if doing one side, can do other side too. Also, in our area during 'yearly inspection' these people give hard time for every small thing!

 

[stephen9666]

I've gotten a couple Taiwanese parts from B/A and the ones I received were good quality. One was a set of suspension bushings and they've been working well for several years. Taiwanese products often are a lot better than Chinese when it comes to quality. I probably wouldn't have a problem installing them, personally.


I would be interested in seeing some pics of them.

 

[maverickfhs]

Originally Posted By: stephen9666
I've gotten a couple Taiwanese parts from B/A and the ones I received were good quality. One was a set of suspension bushings and they've been working well for several years. Taiwanese products often are a lot better than Chinese when it comes to quality. I probably wouldn't have a problem installing them, personally.


I would be interested in seeing some pics of them.


Thanks, sure will share pict once I receive them tomorrow.

Should I buy LCAs for B/A too? Or install Moog chinese ones?

 

[maverickfhs]

Can anyone advice if this(or similar) procedure can be used on Civic LCA's bushings?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPbL9HTHZg0&feature=youtu.be

 

[MarkM66]

Originally Posted By: maverickfhs
Can anyone advice if this(or similar) procedure can be used on Civic LCA's bushings?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPbL9HTHZg0&feature=youtu.be


It's been awhile since I did mine, I do have that tool, and I don't think it would work. I didn't do the rear bushing, as it look fine, only the compliance bushings. I don't think any of those cylinders matched up to the bushing. I had to use a large socket to press it in. I used a standing floor type press. And even then, it was kind of a pain.

I also wouldn't want to use that tool with hand tools, only and impact. If you really need both bushing replaced, you may want to just get the whole arm.

 

[maverickfhs]

Originally Posted By: MarkM66
Originally Posted By: maverickfhs
Can anyone advice if this(or similar) procedure can be used on Civic LCA's bushings?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPbL9HTHZg0&feature=youtu.be


It's been awhile since I did mine, I do have that tool, and I don't think it would work. I didn't do the rear bushing, as it look fine, only the compliance bushings. I don't think any of those cylinders matched up to the bushing. I had to use a large socket to press it in. I used a standing floor type press. And even then, it was kind of a pain.

I also wouldn't want to use that tool with hand tools, only and impact. If you really need both bushing replaced, you may want to just get the whole arm.


My compliance bushings are toast, other bushings are fine. I am seriously considering bushings just because have read horrible stories about these Moog chinese ones

Thanks, so I have received the parts. Does the rubber bushing on Moog problem solver unit look would last for a bit?

Have a look at the picts, thanks.

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[MarkM66]

Hard to say, but I wouldn't hesitate in running them.

Lifetime warranty right?