[Hogan773]

Thanks. I don't want poly bushings. I don't race my minivan at the track. Just trying to figure out which of the various aftermarket brands is "best" for the price

 

[Hogan773]

So I just noticed that the Ultra Power LCAs for our Odyssey on RockAuto that are like 50 bucks each (!) have the same exact part numbers as the Moog "RK Series" that are the only Moogs available. Looking at the pictures they appear to be the same with the same smooth metal below the ball joint.

This now has me more confused and concerned. I know some have said that the Moog RK is the same Chinese cheap stuff and not the same as the beloved Moog Problem Solver. So if that is the case then maybe these UltraPowers are reboxed same stuff as the Moog RK. Since at least one person on here has had good experience with the Moog then maybe if I was going to go that direction then just pay less for the UltraPowers if they are the same thing. Or still pay up for the aluminum Beck Arnley.

I just don't want to take an OEM that is still okay if just a little sloppy and put on something that sux or is unsafe. The apparent sameness of the UltraPowers has me seriously questioning whether the Moog in this case is anything other than junk, unless the UltraPower is just a great deal which I guess could also be the case. I think it has the "favorites" heart beside it on RockAuto for what it's worth.

Anyone else use the UltraPower?

 

[Hogan773]

Ugh the more I read, the more I see various horror stories of aftermarket LCAs breaking at the ball joint and the knuckle falls off, or wearing out quickly at the least.

Makes me really question whether I should leave current well enough alone with my OEM even if the steering wheel is a little jiggly over rough pavement. I'm having real trouble rationalizing spending almost 800 bucks just for 2 OEM LCAs as I probably will only be owning this van another couple years I'm thinking. So I guess I can always spend a couple hundred and see if the aftermarkets get it tight, and just keep the OEMs that I could put back in if the aftermarkets get toasted quickly before I sell the van.

If I use one of the ball removal tools will I preserve the current OEM ball joint so that LCA could be reinstalled later need be?

If I could get OEMs for around 200-225 I would bite. 325-350 just seems crazy. Especially since everyone seems to think that at 71k miles my LCAs are probably not "shot" even though it has been 10 yrs. Just starting to get sloppy.

 

[thscott]

Have you checked OEM prices on Bernardi or Majestic?

 

[Hogan773]

Have you checked OEM prices on Bernardi or Majestic?

Yes that is where they are 325 or 349. Lawd knows what they would be retail at the dealer. It's a heck of a lot of money to spend based on the general internet wisdom of "you should buy OEM suspension parts especially ball joints".

We drive our van less than 7500 miles per year so hard to imagine even the aftermarkets can't make it for several years and I am feeling like I might upgrade to a Pilot next year or the year after.

 

[MrRangerZr1]

I have mevotechs on my 3"+ lowered van for almost a year, they're doing well so far.

 

[Hogan773]

I have mevotechs on my 3"+ lowered van for almost a year, they're doing well so far.

Thanks. So hard when the internet has horror stories. Several people on these boards talking about how they exposed the Mevotech scam etc!


And by the way I like your video! I hope my swap could go that easily although I live in the salt rust belt so I am worried the big bushing bolts will be seized or something.

 

[btatbui2017]

So I just noticed that the Ultra Power LCAs for our Odyssey on RockAuto that are like 50 bucks each (!) have the same exact part numbers as the Moog "RK Series" that are the only Moogs available. Looking at the pictures they appear to be the same with the same smooth metal below the ball joint.

This now has me more confused and concerned. I know some have said that the Moog RK is the same Chinese cheap stuff and not the same as the beloved Moog Problem Solver. So if that is the case then maybe these UltraPowers are reboxed same stuff as the Moog RK. Since at least one person on here has had good experience with the Moog then maybe if I was going to go that direction then just pay less for the UltraPowers if they are the same thing. Or still pay up for the aluminum Beck Arnley.

I just don't want to take an OEM that is still okay if just a little sloppy and put on something that sux or is unsafe. The apparent sameness of the UltraPowers has me seriously questioning whether the Moog in this case is anything other than junk, unless the UltraPower is just a great deal which I guess could also be the case. I think it has the "favorites" heart beside it on RockAuto for what it's worth.

Anyone else use the UltraPower?

Funny thing is Advance Auto has the same Moog LCA for $231.

Advance Auto Parts - Down for Maintenance

 

[Hogan773]

Funny thing is Advance Auto has the same Moog LCA for $231.

Advance Auto Parts - Down for Maintenance

Yeah so for 99 bucks you can get the Moog on Amazon or probably same thing for 50 bucks from RockAuto under the UltraPower brand. Or 230 bucks local. Crazy

 

[MrRangerZr1]

Thanks. So hard when the internet has horror stories. Several people on these boards talking about how they exposed the Mevotech scam etc!


And by the way I like your video! I hope my swap could go that easily although I live in the salt rust belt so I am worried the big bushing bolts will be seized or something.

That one review about how he exposed mevotech is BS. He came on this site before, just spread wrong info on the LCA subject and other subjects as well, but we sorted him out, never heard back from him after that.

 

[Hogan773]

That one review about how he exposed mevotech is BS. He came on this site before, just spread wrong info on the LCA subject and other subjects as well, but we sorted him out, never heard back from him after that.

Good to know, thanks. The internet is such a great resource (example is your DIY video) but also can easily spread incorrect "truths" as people just repeat what they've read from someone else

 

[MrRangerZr1]

I only seen that one bad review for mevotech. Myself and another lowered ody owner has them on, no problems so far.

 

[Hogan773]

So I have done a little more googling and inspecting pictures.

I believe Beck/Arnley = AC Delco product, according to pictures. And when I google part number listed from the arm in the picture, I came upon a Canadian company called Pro-Fit. But then I read that Pro-Fit is a "partnership" between a Taiwanese factory and the Canadian "warehouse". So basically Pro-Fit is just another company (this time Canadian) who contracts with the factory in Taiwan. So then I see the label of TRC on the picture of the arms and come across this website: http://www.trc-auto.com/eng/company-eng.html

So I assume this TRC manufactures both the Beck/Arnley and the AC Delco (same product) therefore never buy the AC Delco version as it is more expensive on Rock Auto.

It does appear Mevotech is a different product. So who knows which company is better design of ball, bushings, etc. Appears Mevotech says "engineered in Canada" so that must mean "made in China" or elsewhere too. Which is fine.

Anyway just wanted to pass along the "Made in Taiwan" thing for Beck/Arnley and AC Delco

 

[marvinstockman]

I'd use Moog on the left side, and Beck on the right side. But be aware we make more right hand turns than left hand turns, that is, except in Canada and UK.