Quick look: a Mevotech sway bar end link vs. Toyota OEM (1 year vs 10 year)

[lizpat]

So here we have a Mevotech sway bar end link for the 2007 Corolla, installed just a little over a year ago, notice the nasty rust.

Here we have the Toyota OEM sway bar end link: exactly the same car, same location, same driving conditions, same weather.

These were on the car for 10 (TEN!!!!!!) years.

 

[lizpat]

I guess the point is: the Mevotechs are rusting very badly.... after a little over 1 year vs the Toyota OEMs after 10 years

note to self: get MOOG's next time.

Maybe I should pre-emptively replace them with MOOG's. In a few years, I might not be able to get them off at all.......

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Spray whatever you replace them with with some kind of oil

Sankei 555 is good if you don't want to spend the money for OE

I like the Bilstein shocks

 

[lizpat]

Yes, the Bilsteins are part of the Bilstein B12 kit (it comes with Eibach pro-kit springs and Bilstein B8 dampers)

They ride FIRM but sticks to the road.. like glue..

 

[Kruse]

A little over a year ago, I rebuilt the whole front end on my kid’s Navigator. Tie rods, control arms, ball joints, idler arm, the whole works. I used good to better replacement parts, but thanks to national shortages and a short timeline on my part, one of the ball joints that got installed happened to be a Mevotech. About a month later, I again inspected my work and I noticed that the Mevotech ball joint already had a torn boot. The opposite side was a genuine Motorcraft part and it looked brand new. I should have immediately replaced the boot, but I decided to ride it out for a little while and just replace the whole junk part next Spring.

 

[Wrenchturner44]

Old Mechanics Saying; " Replace Good With Good So You Always Have Good". Told to me by my first boss, Hank Benz - Proprietor Of Mehlville Service Center.

 

[alcyon]

My moog links rust too , just put some antiseize on the threads it should be fine.

 

[Snagglefoot]

So here we have a Mevotech sway bar end link for the 2007 Corolla, installed just a little over a year ago, notice the nasty rust.
View attachment 72132View attachment 72132

Here we have the Toyota OEM sway bar end link: exactly the same car, same location, same driving conditions, same weather.

These were on the car for 10 (TEN!!!!!!) years.
View attachment 72133View attachment 72134

The upper photo is devoid of any

So here we have a Mevotech sway bar end link for the 2007 Corolla, installed just a little over a year ago, notice the nasty rust.
View attachment 72132View attachment 72132

Here we have the Toyota OEM sway bar end link: exactly the same car, same location, same driving conditions, same weather.

These were on the car for 10 (TEN!!!!!!) years.
View attachment 72133View attachment 72134

Looks to me me the upper photos have no oil or grease on the nut and stud. The lower photos show a film of oil. Spray all your threaded components with rust inhibitor and you will not have this problem.

 

[JWC86]

MOOG isn’t what it used to be from what I’ve been hearing in the 4x4 forums:

 

[2EHA]

who cares about the rust lol as long as the ball joint isn't worn or torn it's a win

 

[PandaBear]

Sankei 555 is OEM, Mevotech is rebadge cheap stuff.

 

[Jetronic]

who cares about the rust lol as long as the ball joint isn't worn or torn it's a win

When it's that time the ball joint is worn, one can be bolted off, the other not....

 

[TeamZero]

I have yet to find an aftermarket suspension part that lasts as long as OEM. Some of the junk doesn't last a year up here.

 

[Propflux01]

Key words: Made In China

 

[JHZR2]

What is the price difference between Mevotech and Toyota OEM, OP?

For the price difference, isn’t it logical that perhaps they didn’t do something?!?

How much is a can of flat black rust oleum or cold zinc spray?

 

[Astro14]

I don’t care if the part is free, I wouldn’t put Mevotech on anything I own.

Cheap junk that doesn’t last. The rust is simply one facet of Mevotech‘s quality failures.

My time installing parts is worth more than the savings a Mevotech brings.

 

[HankHill]

**** metal vs good metal

 

[Bottom_Feeder]

In a few years, I might not be able to get them off at all.

Don't worry about it. The deep hole in the stud for the hex wrench makes for the perfect pilot hole to run a drill bit through it. A few passes with some sharp bits and it'll snap right off.

Been there, done that on my wife's Corolla with the same link design. They are a wear item so no foul by mangling them to get them off.

 

[nthach]

Sankei 555 is OEM, Mevotech is rebadge cheap stuff.

Not quite - 555 is decent quality Japanese aftermarket. Supposedly Moog repackages them for bar end links. Toyotetsu is OEM for Toyota. Dunno who handles Nissan/Subaru and Honda stuff.

I’ll never install Mevotech unless I have to.

 

[PF52]

note to self: get MOOG's next time.

Maybe I should pre-emptively replace them with MOOG's.

Maybe it depends on the application, but the Moogs I have been using rust badly too.... And they use deformed-thread nuts (or something?) that resists unthreading. Unbelievably difficult to remove when they wear out in a few years and start to rattle. Might not be so bad if you can get the car up on a lift and use a long breaker bar, but on jackstands it really brings out the swear words. Last one I replaced needed a lot of time with the angle grinder to make it go away.