OEM vs Beck & Arnley Lower Control Arms, need opinion quick

[fenixus]

hey,

I am trying to order new Lower Control Arms for my V6. as much as I want OEM they get quite expensive with shipping, totalling around $290 for a pair.

I have other option of getting new Beck & Arnley LCA locally from Advance Auto Parts with discounts, total around $214+tax for a pair or from rockauto at some super low price (total around $146 with shipping for a pair)

Can anybody living in the rust belt tell me how those Beck & Arnley lower control arms behave? bushings good? no rusting? do they look same as OEM or different? any problems with fitment? are they a rebox of maybe OEM parts (have seen this often with B&A brand)?

Thanks!

[fenixus]

ahhh never mind, I went with savings route and ordered a pair of Beck & Arnley front LCAs at $146 shipped from rockauto (UPS ground) ... will see what I get and how it fits.

I like using OEM parts where I can (mostly around engine), but for suspension? not so much.

[BMR]

I'd take that chance too. I've used Beck Arnley parts a few times now with no issues. Ball joints & sway bar links. I know they're just a reboxer (from what others have said, anyway), so it's a crap shoot whose parts you're actually getting. But it seems to me they choose their sources well.

[Mister_Perkins]

before installing, i would cover the bolt holes and mounting points with antiseize

[fenixus]

thanks guys

I am actually silently hoping to get toyota oem arms reboxed by B&A but even if they are regular aftermarket parts, then it's just a piece of metal and rubber, right? doesn't have to be super precise per OEM specs and such

rockauto simply rocks, they have already shipped them

[TedL]

For some reason, Partsgeek has good prices on Dorman control arms. Your pair w/b $126 shipped.

[fenixus]

thanks, I hope it helps others Dorman is OK too.

I usually do not buy over there, as I never remember about that store.

I saw Dorman parts in rockauto, total would be around $20 cheaper, but I picked B&A anyways. having strong hopes for B&A reboxing powers here

Originally Posted by TedL

For some reason, Partsgeek has good prices on Dorman control arms. Your pair w/b $126 shipped.

[pmesfun]

I found Dorman control arms on Rock Auto for $106.56 shipped for my friend's ES300.

[fenixus]

they differ between models, Dormans for my car would be (rockauto):
Dorman 520455 (F/L) $61.99
Dorman 520456 (F/R) $61.99
-5% discount, plus shipping $15.21 (why more expensive than with B&A?), total = $132.99
not much of a difference if you ask me and I seem to trust B&A more as of now

Originally Posted by pmesfun

I found Dorman control arms on Rock Auto for $106.56 shipped for my friend's ES300.

[JohnGD]

Dormans seem to be fine. B&A does have a good reputation in selecting sources. For instance, B&A head gaskets are OEM. B&A do have a lot more aftermarket parts in the mix in recent years however, like their wheel bearings while Timkens are still OEM.

For the round bushing see if there is the familiar 10 digit Toyota part number. At least just about all the round bushings I see in the aftermarket are OEM and have that number so I wonder if they simply used OEM bushings with aftermarket arms.

[fenixus]

thanks.

could be, after all it's all about bushings, because metal arm is not hard to cast the same way I guess ...

once I bought B&A o-ring seals for rear wheel hubs, I returned them after all, because Timken units came with them included (even their techs didn't know about that fact LOL!) ... but those B&A o-rings were actually Made in Japan Toyota parts

that's why after readings lots of good stuff about B&A I trust them bit more over others like Dorman, Raybestos or Duralast.

Besides once upon a time I've seen BMR's B&A ball joints (rust protected in a similar manner to OEM units) and compared them to my former "problem solver" Moog ball joints (never anymore) ...

Originally Posted by JohnGD

Dormans seem to be fine. B&A does have a good reputation in selecting sources. For instance, B&A head gaskets are OEM. B&A do have a lot more aftermarket parts in the mix in recent years however, like their wheel bearings while Timkens are still OEM.

For the round bushing see if there is the familiar 10 digit Toyota part number. At least just about all the round bushings I see in the aftermarket are OEM and have that number so I wonder if they simply used OEM bushings with aftermarket arms.

[JohnGD]

Yeah, I think Dormans are all aftermarket parts. But their wheel studs are fine.

As far as Federal Mogul goes, maybe the only good division is Fel-Pro then. But that probably doesn't give people confidence given the comments about other divisions. haha

[garytho]

Hey Fen,....what led you to check the control arms?? Was there a rattling sound in the front end? Or was there some kind of vibration or something?
Thanks,
Gary

[fenixus]

not much of rattling, but maybe something occasionally over bumps even though sway bar is tight (new bushings and new end links, new quick struts also).

my main concern however goes towards sort of a feeling that something is slight loose in front still (new ball joints, old ones were cracked open; new outer tie rod ends, old ones were busted). so the last thing left pretty much is the lower control arms.

also I noticed when replacing Ball Joints on the car that the arms felt VERY loose, so condition of bushings in them must be horrible. Even found one (round donut like on passenger side) which is visibly cracked. I bet I wouldn't even be able to replace ball joints on car with new stiff control arms...

the arms were extremely easy to push down with a palm in order to swap the ball joints on car (both sides):

DIY camry lower ball joint replacement in situ *PICS*

hopefully this solves all the suspension trouble... or maybe I still need the rear trailer arms too as I do hear some rare metallic squeaks from there (new sway bar bushings and end links, 33k miles old OEM struts in rear).

Originally Posted by garytho

Hey Fen,....what led you to check the control arms?? Was there a rattling sound in the front end? Or was there some kind of vibration or something?
Thanks,
Gary

[garytho]

Thanks Fen!
I have new quick struts too (about 1500 miles ago) I just recieved my new links & bushings from Rock. But I'm thinking it may be the control arms as well. I have 106K on my Camry. I have no noticable vibrations or wobbles but have a bit of a rattling sound over bumps too. Problem is my legs are f'd up from an accident at work and I can't get down there to grab ahold and check things out,....gonna have my bro in law (mechanic) check it out for me,...but needed a place to start. Thanks again Fen,...I've got alot of help from your experience!!