mevotech are good...

if youre certain that sound is the link kits and not the struts, struts make sounds at different temps.
mine are silent in the cold months and noisy in the summer.

 

Struts have less than 40,000 miles on them, and the sound/feel is exactly the sound/feel that was solved by the sway bar links. But I will check both.

 

Do I need OEM

Yes, if you want to ensure the outstanding service life you have experienced at a high price. 🙃

Easy DIY. Just make sure to remove load (jack up off ground) on both sides so you are not battling a loaded sway bar. You will generally need an open end wrench or vise grip on the "inside" to hold it while removing the nut with a ratchet/impact wrench.

 

Personally I like MOOG for end links because they are much beefier/rigid than OEM. Grease zerk ensures long life if you hit it with the grease gun yearly. It is easy to replace but if you are in the rusty area you might have to cut it off with a reciprocating saw.

 

My vote is for Moog too--it's much better designed than OEM. This is one of those rare occasions which you don't want to go OEM.

 

moog is hit and miss... if its from their mexico or china factories, its junk.

taiwan made is the good stuff.

 

Moog bushings for the bar to frame mounts. And Mevotech for the end links. Rock Auto has them cheaper than most. The Mevotech TTX end links are way thicker than stock.

 

The Mevotech TTX end links are way thicker than stock.

Thicker doesn't necessarily mean stronger. It depends on the steel.

 

First thing you do is check that both sides are tight - they do come loose and raise hell.

 

Quick question, when you replace sway bar bushings and links, what else should I replace whole I have the wheels off??

 

I would plan to inspect/replace the sway bar bushings, too.

You could also time this job with an oil change; the filter is easier to access with the wheel removed.

 

Note the grease fittings on the aftermarket links! If you have a grease gun they probably would take only a tiny bit of grease maybe after 15,000 miles or so. You can install them without jacking if you can get under there. If the car is level there will be no tension on either side. Where you mess up is jacking up one side which puts a tremendous load on the sway bar and end links - that can get you hurt. Now that I've seen the Moog with the grease fittings, I want a pair!

 

Note the grease fittings on the aftermarket links!

I've been around since the days when all suspension and steering parts had grease fittings. IMHO the so-called advantage of a grease fitting is highly overrated and indicates an inferior design.

Water and dirt get inside these parts easily and fast. The only way to get it out is by pushing new grease. But by then it has already gotten to the bearing surfaces and started corrosion and/or wear. Not to mention there is no mechanism to keep grease on the contact surfaces as sliding and twisting motions push it off.

I'm all in favor of sealed suspension parts.

 

So what’s the actual finding here? Our odyssey is just under 100k and needs a link.

Granted 100k with lots of around town is ok, but if a Sankei 555 or mevotech ttx will be better, I’m interested to know why.

Thanks!

 

So what’s the actual finding here? Our odyssey is just under 100k and needs

As @2011.2017.odyssey said, OE parts are generally the best for most repairs. However, depending on the van's mileage and how long you plan to keep it, the higher cost of OE parts may not be justified. This is particularly relevant if you DIY, and especially for repairs (like sway bar links) that are easy/fast.

If/when my sway bar links fail again, I will probably go with Delphi units from rockauto. They are competitively priced and I have always had good success with this brand. As I mentioned in a previous post above, greasable units like Moog are solid, but accessing the zerks can be a PITA. I would rather just replace them every 5ish years.

And don't forget the bushings. IMO the bushings should always be replaced while you are in there, with the links removed.

 

I think the consensus around here is to go with OEM.

I have been through a couple sets of mevotech links the non TTX brand.

The only reason I buy them is because of the lifetime replacement warranty from rockauto.

 

I'm using detroit axle end links (MOOG copy) and are still going strong with no clunk. I paid $25 around 2 years ago

 

Well the OE part lasted just about 100k. Boot failure was the cause. They weren’t that bad otherwise.

The lower nut is a huge pain. The way I got it off was to get the whole front end up in the air, then use a small jack to get the sway bar up a bit. Then there was clearance with an impact swivel. I have the snap on ones which have a round ball. I think an actual swivel impact extension may be better fwiw.

Replaced with the Honda USA made part.

 

Are the OEM end links the same for both sides?
I found this one 2005-2017 Honda Odyssey Link Assembly, Front Stabilizer 51320-SHJ-A02 | Honda Car Parts Direct

And does the front stabilizer bracket fail? 51308-SDA-A00 - Bracket Front Stabilizer - 2003-2017 Honda | Honda Car Parts Direct

Or do I just need a new stabilizer holder/bushing?

Thanks for any help.
.

 

Are the OEM end links the same for both sides?
I found this one 2005-2017 Honda Odyssey Link Assembly, Front Stabilizer 51320-SHJ-A02 | Honda Car Parts Direct

And does the front stabilizer bracket fail? 51308-SDA-A00 - Bracket Front Stabilizer - 2003-2017 Honda | Honda Car Parts Direct

Or do I just need a new stabilizer holder/bushing?

Thanks for any help.
.

Links are the same for both sides. Unless the brackets are rusted/damaged, just replace the bushings.

 

For a laymen the terminology used here doesn't seem to translate to the Honda parts.

Sway link = upper control arm? bushings= .....

 

https://honda.oempartsonline.com/v-2016-honda-odyssey--ex-l--3-5l-v6-gas/suspension--rear-suspension

 

For a laymen the terminology used here doesn't seem to translate to the Honda parts.

Sway link = upper control arm? bushings= .....

 

AFAIK this discussion only included the front suspension. The rear is very different and does not have a sway bar.

 

Aftermarket quality control has been bad recently. I'm running the MOOG end links as of now and they are ok but I think next time I will go for the original part.