control arms

I need to replace my upper control arms. Came with 2 piece design on driver side but seems like I can go with one piece style which comes with bushings. No problems? and should I go with Moog or AC Delco, Mavotech, Dorman or AM Auto Parts on Ebay. They have a 100.00 kit with lifetime warranty?



Any comments and experiences would be greatly appreciated.



Bajaman

My personal perferance is moog. I havent compared moog to some of those brands. At my age I come from the old days. When moog was built stronger. So I still buy moog when I can.

Personal opinion, cant' go wrong with moog. Well established brand.

Agree with Eddie. If I had to guess, Moog is the aftermarket brand of choice for suspension parts for at least half of the people on all the forums I've read. Just be aware of the difference between the RK service grade parts, and CK "Problem Solver" premium grade. IIRC, the cheaper RK series does NOT have replaceable ball joints, CK does. Suspension and brakes are two areas you do not want to cut corners, and looking at your user name, you off road. Also be cautious of those bargain eBay kits. I've read some have had luck with them, but have seen many more bad reviews. Also keep in mind any time upper control arms are removed, alignment should be checked. Camber kits may be needed to get a proper alignment. Check eBay, I recently bought two new Moog CK control arms for $50 each shipped from different sellers. (CK80068 & CK8708T)

Moog Control Arms: CK, K, or RK? - Suspension.com

Thanks for the responses and the links. Great article on the difference between RC and CK lines as well as the write up on the bushings. I definitely want to go with a serviceable ball joint. I was curious because I had read somewhere that Moog moved production to china and the quality difference was not there anymore.



My friend that is a mechanic mentioned that he had people not like the Poly bushings becuase they were too rough. I don't bomb the back roads so I will go with the rubber bushings.



The only reason I was looking at the one piece design vs two piece was so I got the upper bushings on the driver side vs having to take the oem part off and press them out and re install. Anybody have any thoughts on that? One style vs the other?



Thanks everyone for your input:banana:.

Thanks for the responses and the links. Great article on the difference between RC and CK lines as well as the write up on the bushings. I definitely want to go with a serviceable ball joint. I was curious because I had read somewhere that Moog moved production to china and the quality difference was not there anymore.



My friend that is a mechanic mentioned that he had people not like the Poly bushings becuase they were too rough. I don't bomb the back roads so I will go with the rubber bushings.



The only reason I was looking at the one piece design vs two piece was so I got the upper bushings on the driver side vs having to take the oem part off and press them out and re install. Anybody have any thoughts on that? One style vs the other?



Thanks everyone for your input:banana:.

Most that have the OE passenger side two piece UCA replaced with the stronger one piece arm. Benefit of the original two piece design is caster adjustment. Regarding country of orgin, every Moog "Problem Solver" suspension part I've used had "Made In USA" on the box label. YMMV. That includes both UCA's, lower ball joints, outer tie rod ends, and front/rear sway bar end links. This "may" apply more to Moog's premium parts for domestic vehicles.

I strongly support you in staying with polyurethane bushings. Just go with Rancho RS5000X shocks in front and RS9000XL in the rear set on 5. See if you can still get a Explorer Express rear sway bar - it's a good thing. I also put ES sway bar end links on the front. You'll have a comfortable, good handling ride.

:driving:

LoL swshawaii,, fftopic: worked as equipment mechanic for Voit sports 40 years ago..

assembly stations to air up basket balls caught my attention. Chinese made balls were shipped to US deflated at least 100 in shipping box, aired up and placed in store display boxes that were made and printed in the USA.. Store Display box clearly stated "Made In USA" which only applied to the box not the contents..

'thoughts of the past' :bwahaha:

:back2topic:

Just got new to me 08 w/63K off the alignment rack today without needing any adjustments.. Only parts they install is Moog if at all possible. Old time family owned independent shop I have used for decades that aligns everything including semi tractors/motor coaches that may require axle bending.

I noticed that MOOG also has Problem Solver tie rod ends. Could I do the tie rod ends first or do I just do the control arms and tie rods ends at the same time?

:banana:

I noticed that MOOG also has Problem Solver tie rod ends. Could I do the tie rod ends first or do I just do the control arms and tie rods ends at the same time?

:banana:

Preferably both UCA's and TRE's at the same time. Alignment should also be checked when replacing outer tie rod ends.

Some say count the number of thread turns, but alignment is like splitting hairs. After all, total toe spec is only 1/32" to 3/16".



Hope you both had a good time on Maui. I was still on Oahu, but just couldn't connect with you on your flight stopover.