Honda Odyssey Lower Control Arm

[SamiSheikh]

Hi I am new to the forum

I have an 06 Odyssey that needs front left LCA as well as inner and outer tie rods as well as bushings. For the tie rods, I will be getting MOOG Problem Solver, but for the control arm, since Moog doesn't make it in their Problem Solver series I am not sure which one to get. I checked RockAuto and the following options came up:

MAS(Has anyone ever used this and if so how is it? Apparently they specialize in control arms )
MevoTech - lifetime warranty but I heard they're made in china, and are not of the best quality
Dorman - lifetime warranty but I heard they're made in china, and are not of the best quality
Moog(RK series which I know is the low end version of Moog made to compete with the cheap Chinese brands)
ACDelco Professional - I know they come with lifetime warranty and I am inclined to get ACDelco, but I have read on the forum that they source Moog parts or parts from other Chinese manufacturers

Also, I saw aluminum(08-10) control arms vs steel (05-06) control arms which ones are better?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Olas]

FOrget brand just buy steel arms and seam weld them. Rust oleum or similar and OE bushes and you're golden.

 

[Kira]

There's no difference between the steel and aluminum ones? The year applications of the given examples omitted '07?

 

[Trav]

I would go with the BECK/ARNLEY 1026450 worst case you get the same part offered by the others or you may get an OE part with the part# ground off. Due to the fact these are a casting and not a welded sheet steel stamping they are all likely coming out of the same factory in Taiwan or possibly China hence no Moog problem solver.

 

[Schmoe]

Man, those NY roads must be rough...I've never heard of any Honda control arms going out. But, I'd definitely go with steel for that application.

 

[SamiSheikh]

Thanks everyone for their responses.

So here is my question, why did Honda decide to replace the material used for their control arms starting 08+? Especially since the consensus here is that Steel ones are better?

Unfortunately I won't be able to get the Beck/Arnley one because that is the only control arm at rock auto that isn't shipping from the same warehouse as other parts that suspension and steering components that I am ordering.

So my choices are:
Moog RK series
ACDelco Professional
MevoTech Original and premium grade
Dorman

Also another question that may sound stupid but do these control arms come with bushing or would I need to buy them separately?

and Yes Schmoe the roads are just terrible here, and it is so surprising that a city with 9 million people would have such terrible roads. My car doesn't even 140k on it.

 

[Superflop]

I went with dormans on my saab just did lca, bushings ball joints and tre. The only thing i couldnt get moog was the lca and the dormans worked, installed and aligned just fine. I did both sides at the same time btw.

 

[6starprez]

What happened to the control arm that you need to replace it instead of just the bushing? IIRC, I think the control arms on my Ody are cast iron. That changed quite a bit over the years. I also like to replace in pairs so when the driver side rear hub bearing started making noise on the Ody last year, I replaced the passenger side hub assembly too.

 

[SamiSheikh]

The mechanic said that the bushings need to be replaced and the control arm(he didn't specify which bushings). I was looking at the ODY forum club, and there users were mentioning that the 08-10 aluminum were interchangeable and some actually did change to aluminum. I understand it is lighter but I am not sure what advantage it provides to my ride quality and reliability.

Ideally I'd like to change out both sides but since I am replacing the stabilizer link, inner and outer tie rods as well as stabilizer bushings for the left side with all moog parts, I am already spending more than I want to so I can't afford to do the same on the right side. Eventually down the road I will but at the moment Left side is critical and needs attention sooner than later.

It is a shame that Moog doesn't make Problem solver LCA for the Odyssey. I am a big fan of Moog Problem solver series, and usually purchase all CK series when it is available.

 

[Trav]

Originally Posted By: SamiSheikh
Thanks everyone for their responses.

So here is my question, why did Honda decide to replace the material used for their control arms starting 08+? Especially since the consensus here is that Steel ones are better?

Unfortunately I won't be able to get the Beck/Arnley one because that is the only control arm at rock auto that isn't shipping from the same warehouse as other parts that suspension and steering components that I am ordering.

So my choices are:
Moog RK series
ACDelco Professional
MevoTech Original and premium grade
Dorman

Also another question that may sound stupid but do these control arms come with bushing or would I need to buy them separately?

and Yes Schmoe the roads are just terrible here, and it is so surprising that a city with 9 million people would have such terrible roads. My car doesn't even 140k on it.


Too bad, the normal list price on that part put it in OE price range, I have a feeling it might just be Reboxed OE. Sorry IMO looking for better parts then limiting the options based on a little extra shipping is penny wise and dollar foolish.
A lot of companies have gone to aluminum suspension components for weight reduction they are not stronger than the cast steel ones just lighter. The bushing are pre installed, I cant find any separate bushing part # otherwise refurbishing the arms is the way I would go

https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/beck-arnley-ctl-arm-w-ball-joint-102-6450/11225507-P

 

[SamiSheikh]

Thank you very much to everyone for their replies. I ended up going with Beck Arnley as suggested by Trav.

 

[Olas]

Some come with bushings, some don't. Ever way you want OE bushes rather than generic one.

Steel is only preferable to ally because its easier to weld, bt if you can weld ally you're golden. Ally doesn't rust like steel but rust oleum is cheap.

Key points are;

Seam welding
OE bushes
Anti rust coating