Best of aftermarket suspension steering parts?

[ltslimjim]

Hi, I’m shopping around for tie rod ends in my Honda Fit; among other parts as I have a wheel bearing job coming up and may as well replace some other parts as the vehicle is at 329k miles.

I’ve gotten my choices down to these 3 brands as what I believe to be the “best” tiers of aftermarket.

CTR
Sankei 555
Delphi

There are also re-boxed AC Delco Gold, Beck / Arnley, even Moog on Amazon shows pictures as authentic “Sankei 555”, but who knows what would come in the box.

Which of those are the best quality or are they around the same tier for aftermarket?

 

[sloinker]

Seems that those in the know use factory OE parts. The aftermarket names that used to be stellar are not so much anymore. Buy your parts from Honda is my advice.

 

[Analog-1]

Please. With a Honda it's important to by OEM. Ever since Covid all after market Honda and most others have took a major hit in quality. I try to be a one and done guy, but using after market parts it's normally not one and done. Just my 2c.

 

[dfarr67]

Granted I don't know the price differential- but you have options to buy oem online. If the original part gives good service I don't understand straying. Now if the said oem part is known for giving problems then try to find an improved part. Name brands that were great in the past are now crap shoots for quality. I even look on fleabay for nos parts and also consider used factory (not for ball joints and such wearable safety parts). As for lifetime warranty- I value my time and consider this a bad gimmick.

 

[IndyIan]

Is there play or torn boots on the existing tie rod ends? If not, I'd leave them in, since they don't fail suddenly and you have weeks to replace. A wheel alignment shouldn't be necessary on a wheel bearing change, but probably should be done on a new tie rod end.

 

[Nukeman7]

Hi, I’m shopping around for tie rod ends in my Honda Fit; among other parts as I have a wheel bearing job coming up and may as well replace some other parts as the vehicle is at 329k miles.

I’ve gotten my choices down to these 3 brands as what I believe to be the “best” tiers of aftermarket.

CTR
Sankei 555
Delphi

There are also re-boxed AC Delco Gold, Beck / Arnley, even Moog on Amazon shows pictures as authentic “Sankei 555”, but who knows what would come in the box.

Which of those are the best quality or are they around the same tier for aftermarket?

Sankei 555 first, then CTR. I have used Moog with success, but who knows what you might actually get in the box.

With 329K miles on the odometer, I would not spend the money to get Honda OEM parts unless the cost difference was insignificant.

 

[2strokeNorthstar]

Sakei 555, OEM or just wait until you can get either of those 2

 

[BrendanC]

carquest premium has shown to be the best between duralast (worst) and napa chassis parts. the woman has 20K on her accord’s carquest premium parts and it’s all still like new. local alignment shop had to stop buying napa chassis parts due to the amount of warranty work they were doing. i tipped them into carquest and the owner said they’re not seeing the same issues. all fleet vehicles get carquest chassis parts as well.

 

[ltslimjim]

Sankei 555 first, then CTR. I have used Moog with success, but who knows what you might actually get in the box.

With 329K miles on the odometer, I would not spend the money to get Honda OEM parts unless the cost difference was insignificant.

Ya, Honda parts will drive the price up a lot. I was considering lower control arm as well; since it’ll be partly disassembled. I’m leaning toward not replacing original part unless there are obvious signs of excess wear or needing replacement sooner. A lot has to come off the knuckle to be able to remove the hub and bearing.

If I get all Honda parts it’s $900 from US Honda parts websites. Same parts delivered are $450 from Impex Japan. Aftermarket is $250 total.

It doesn’t help my vehicle is rusty. Here is the same car with the job being done. Rust ruined the hub and ABS speed sensor during the wheel bearing job. You’ll see the LCA and outer tie rods come off the knuckle during the job. It’s possible I may need either of those if stripped threads or bolts during removal.