so I need to replace my upper control arms on the 98 accord v6, this baby is seriously costing me an arm n a leg in repairs and will be my last honda hopefully

Which manufacturer brand do you guys recommend? Does anyone know the OEM manufacturer by any chance? who builds the oem stuff?

So far the best prices I've found was for Dorman brand, but it looks too cheap to be a good quality part for $60/each side.

OEM is $150/each.

I'm heavily leaning towards Raybestos professional grade from RockAuto for $96/each? Any feedback? Whoever replaced their upper control arms please let me know what brand you went with and your experience... http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=1130022 (apparently made only for the Canadian market)

There is also deeza brand http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=1402069 slightly cheaper for $75/each

There is also Karyln brand from ImportRp.com for around $93/each
http://catalog.importrp.com/ShopByVe...0Joint&mode=PA

I want to get this done by next week so hopefully my wheels dont fall off or nothing like that.

 

bump... any help?

 

have you thought about buying the stuff used from a junk yard or parts car

 

I might get flamed for saying this but I have used Duralast from Autozone w/o any issues. Still rolling on them after 50,000 and boot on the ball is in good condition.

 

The closest thing Ive found to a junk yard is from ebay... used control arm for around $60/each with 60k miles on it from an Acura CL 2003.

 

I bought moog for my 95 4 cylinder accord, they come with a limited life time warranty.

I talked with customer service at rockauto.com and he recommended moog, I also noticed they were made in japan if that brings you peace of mind

Don't get it from the junkyark because it's a wear item, suck it up and buy new.

 

Do you know how MOOG would go about warranting this product since it has a lifetime warranty? I wonder if you have to send in your old arms and they swap it or will they send you some arms and you send the old ones back.

 

^ you just have to take it back to the store you bought it at and exchange them for brand new ones.

 

no I do not, a quick phone call to a rockauto agent would give ou ymuch detailed info. then I could.

Btw, post your findings if you so choose.

 

let's say he orders them online, there would be vehicle downtime on his end, while he takes off control arm mails it in and waits for a few days while a new one arrives.

I am guessing they would charge you a fee and mail a new one and in return send in your defective part. When your old control arm is received they would refund your collateral.

This is just my guess, as stated call and confirm the process.

 

I definitely will be giving them a call to see what the process is. I don't mind if they charge me and send product out while waiting on their product. I will post back results.

 

Locally, they sell them at advance auto parts for 150.00 each! I rather go the RockAuto route. I will be calling to see how the warranty works this afternoon and posting back.

 

why not just get moog control arms from a parts store? Some stores will match any price atleast around my neck of the woods they will.

 

I called Rockauto and here is the process for the warranty.

1. Purchase the same product from them.
2. Send your old items back and they will also refund you the shipping.
Sounds fair to me!

 

The price for Moog is insane, its $250/piece... might as well get OEM for $150/each.

So anyone have any experience with Doorman? They are the cheapest, my mechanic said he was going to install that with the cost of $120+50 labor, I found them on RockAuto for $50/each... so that would bring the total to $100/each side with labor.

Or I can pay $50 extra each side and get professional grade Raybestos which come with 2 year warranty... however Doorman comes with lifetime warranty.

I read this from Raybestos warranty:

If the part fails within 24 months or 24,000 miles, they pay you for the part + labor? or am I missing something?

 

Go for the Moog. They are $75 per side and have a lifetime warranty from RockAuto. Lifetime versus 2 year warranty, you decide. Also, if you google Moog on any forum, they will say that if they don't use OEM, they will use Moogs suspension products.

 

Where do you see the Moog ones for $75 per side? I see them for $250/each :S

 

Sorry about that. I was looking at 97 accords instead of 98 :O

 

Should I just go for the cheap Doorman or invest into Raybestos? Doorman with lifetime warranty or Raybestos with 2 years warranty?

 

get the doorman.

The control arms are easy to do, why not do them yourself.

 

Any DIY on it? I don't wanna cheap out $100 and end up losing more suspension parts while driving lol

So should I go for the Raybestos?

 

Not sure if there is a DIY.
Ultimately it is your decision on what suspension part to purchase, I went with Moog because the rep. at rock auto recommended them, in your case for some reason they are too expensive. I haven't used raybestos so I haven't any feedback.

I am assuming your model which is the 6Th gen. can't be too different from the 5Th gen. I own.

I replaced both control arms on my 95 accord and It was a walk in the park. The only pain in the butt was removing the fuse box to access one control arm bolt but the rest was cake, With that said I presume yours can't be too difficult.

I'll give you a mental visual of the process since I do not know the layout of your model, although most Honda's have the same typical suspension format especially since your generation is close to mine.

Pop your hood, peek between the wheel well and you will see your control arm, now common sense will tell you there are two bolts holding them in place, locate those bolts and loosen them (do not remove all the way).

Now remove your wheel to have better access to the control arm you will see the steering knuckle attached to the control arm there should be a nut and a cotter pin inserted between the nut (remove them).

Use a hammer to separate upper control from steering knuckle, next remove the loosen bolts I mentioned earlier your control arm should pop right out.

Simply do the reverse and you're done, you may need an alignment afterwards.

 

K I picked up the dorman from Advance auto parts, will have my mechanic put them on both for $80 or just one for $40 if the other is not needed.

I wish I could've gone for the Moog but its $250/each which is ridiculous because OEM is $140-150.