Control arm reviews Meyle HD, 034motorsport, TRW, Lemforder etc

**quattroism25** · 03-21-2017 01:38 PM

Did a quick search but couldn't really find anything substantial. Who's running any of these control arms? I'm just getting lowers and SPC adjustable uppers.

**Audibot** · 03-21-2017 02:52 PM

Meyle HD used to be good but recently (last several years), quality has decreased. Lemforder and TRW make good components; I think one or both may be OE suppliers.

For the SPC adjustables, where are you getting them? The MOOG-branded ones are like half the price of the SPC-branded ones.

**2004B6S4** · 03-21-2017 08:03 PM

Lemforder are oem. you can even see where the 4 rings was stamped into the metal and then grinded off. They are on the high end price-wise but still a lot cheaper than the genuine audi ones which are identical, so that was the choice for me.

**VinnysS4** · 03-21-2017 09:41 PM

I have the Spc ones from rockauto. I ordered moog and got Spc. I'm pleased with them soo far as I got my camber dialed in being lowered. I have had them for several months. The lock nuts kept coming undone at first, so I really wrenched them down and haven't had any issues since.

**quattroism25** · 03-21-2017 11:19 PM

I'll most likely get the SPC uppers from FCP Groton, unless I can find them cheaper. Haven't so far.

Has anyone ran the 034motorsport or delphi control arms?

**badger.** · 03-22-2017 05:46 AM

I think I've used Delphi boxed CAs for my cars. Did complete front end a couple years back at 130k then just redid the uppers last summer at 192k (using warrantied parts!). The ones I pulled off still looked pretty good actually IIRC, maybe slight tearing in one or two of them but not totally trashed by any means. Note I'm not lowered or anything though, pretty much stock suspension & springs.

Just bought all new front end for the avant at 140k, Delphi again, from FCP. Hard to beat the warranty and I only spent ~$400 including tie rod ends.

How much longer would OEM/Lemforder for example really last? I don't know. I imagine it can't be too much longer, the rubber bushings are just rubber bushings after all. If they only last another 10-20k that is not enough for me personally to justify the cost, mainly because I fully anticipate on changing them all at least once more in the life of the car. Whether I do it at 190k like my sedan or maybe 210k if I had really good ones, I will need to swap them again regardless if I plan to hit mid 200s or higher if the cars last that long :)

**VinnysS4** · 03-22-2017 06:48 AM

Spc adjustable control arms (sold in moog boxes) can be had for $166.79 before a 5% discount and shipping through rockauto

**quattroism25** · 03-22-2017 08:05 AM

Thats a really good price. Moog K1000092s are basially SPC 81350s right? I was actually looking at getting the updated 81355s with the "xAxis flex joint". Everywhere I look a pair is $265+

There are so many options out there for upper and lower arms. Maybe I'm overthinking this. I want OE quality or better. Something that'll last 50k. But then again I don't plan on keeping this car for that long.

**BCsniper** · 03-22-2017 09:22 AM

You are overthinking it. The are really aren't going to make much 9f a difference with one brand vs. Another. I remember spending over $600 getting Meyle brand ones on an old A6. That was a waste, now I just but the FCP ones for 250-300 and call it a day. Especially since you just need lowers. Even if they go bad in 4 years it only takes a few minutes to get off 2 arms on each side.

Also I recommend the 034 arms since they can be rebuilt. Being able to buy new bushings and he I'm joints for $100 is great. That gives you basically new arms all over again without having to pay full price once again. They also come with spherical ends on one or both sides depending on the model

**FastEddie** · 03-22-2017 09:56 AM

034 arms here. Love them and zero issues so far.

**2004B6S4** · 03-22-2017 03:32 PM

Originally Posted by badger.

How much longer would OEM/Lemforder for example really last? I don't know. I imagine it can't be too much longer, the rubber bushings are just rubber bushings after all.

I gotta disagree with you there. Rubber quality definitely can differ from one manufacturer to another. I've had aftermarket parts on other cars that had cracked/torn rubber pieces within a year when the original parts had lasted nearly 10 years. Of course there are other factors at play besides the rubber quality itself, such as the fact that the life of these types of parts depends on the condition of the rest of the suspension/drivetrain. I can't say whether there is any difference between oem and aftermarket for this application, you may be right and the difference if any may be negligible, but there certainly *can* be a major difference in rubber quality and since it's impossible for me to tell between good and crap quality rubber, I figured oem was the one to trust. just imo. I was also considering the 034 arms though, I heard both good and bad reports about meyle when I was searching the forums but I don't believe I found any bad reports about 034

**badger.** · 03-22-2017 05:49 PM

Originally Posted by 2004B6S4

I gotta disagree with you there. Rubber quality definitely can differ from one manufacturer to another. I've had aftermarket parts on other cars that had cracked/torn rubber pieces within a year when the original parts had lasted nearly 10 years. Of course there are other factors at play besides the rubber quality itself, such as the fact that the life of these types of parts depends on the condition of the rest of the suspension/drivetrain. I can't say whether there is any difference between oem and aftermarket for this application, you may be right and the difference if any may be negligible, but there certainly *can* be a major difference in rubber quality and since it's impossible for me to tell between good and crap quality rubber, I figured oem was the one to trust. just imo. I was also considering the 034 arms though, I heard both good and bad reports about meyle when I was searching the forums but I don't believe I found any bad reports about 034

I definitely agree there can be significant differences in rubber quality. It was more the fact that a bushing made from rubber (of any "similar" grades, which I would think any control arms would have some basic level of quality) will still fail eventually, and more than likely within a close enough timeframe to each other to not matter to me personally. If Delphi or something was really so bad they lasted just a fraction of other brands I doubt FCP would carry them and warranty them if they blow every 20k.

The difference between a metallic/rebuildable joint and rubber is significant in terms of overall value, but rubber vs rubber I doubt there is much difference between the brands listed to make a significant enough deviation (for me). As you mention, I would bet overall environment, road quality, and installation procedure do more to ruin them anyway.

**quattroism25** · 05-06-2017 02:27 PM

Quick PSA. If you're interested in SPC adjustable arms they can be had at walmart online.. They're branded as Moog K100092s. Picked up both sets for $296 after taxes and a $30 discount for shipping and pickup at a walmart.

**VinnysS4** · 05-06-2017 04:25 PM

Originally Posted by quattroism25

Quick PSA. If you're interested in SPC adjustable arms they can be had at walmart online.. They're branded as Moog K100092s. Picked up both sets for $296 after taxes and a $30 discount for shipping and pickup at a walmart.

These are $225.90 After a 5% discount on rockauto (not including shipping)

**Mr. Corey** · 05-06-2017 05:57 PM

I'm running 034 lowers with 034 tie rods and they've been good. The 034 adj uppers I wouldn't recommend.... as they can make a decent amount of noise.