kingw323

Anyone have a suggestion for a replacement lower control arm? The ball joint in my Moog problem solver LCA crapped the bed after around 30K miles. It has a lifetime warranty, however as you may know, the problem solver series has been discontinued for our Maximas. I guess my options are to either return for a refund and buy a new LCA with ball joint or press a new ball joint into exisiting LCA. Any recommendations on a replacement brand LCA and/or ball joint?

Violator

Are you lowered? That will make your control arms go out fast. The problem solvers weren't discontinued they just have a revised version and discontinued the old ones

Turbobink

iTrader: (2)

If you still have your OE control arms, you may want to consider just rebuilding those.

The Problem Solvers are still available (branded as Moog Problem Solvers) but typically only the right side seems to be available.

I don't know much about the new/revised R-Series but they appear to be classified as a an "economy" part.

Perhaps the Beck/Arnley or AC Delco pieces would serve better.

It's a bit of a crap shoot.

MichMaxFan

No beck arnley lca. Been there 2x in 2yrs. Bad bj boots. Crack in 12mos.

kingw323

Thanks guys. I have very little confidence anymore in any aftermarket parts. As for the Moog LCAs, it looks like one main difference between the C series and R series is they no longer have a grease fitting on the ball joint. I no longer have my OEM control arms. I am debating on whether to only replace ball joint or go with Moog R-series, AC Delco, or other Chinese junk LCA.

MichMaxFan

Just a month ago I replaced for the 2nd time the crap beck arnleys. Got some Detroit axle off ebay. Recommended by others and thought I'd try them. Having put on control arms 3x now it's getting easier but should not be this necessary.

you might consider the Detroit axle or acdelco.

kingw323

What do you think of the Detroit axle LCAs? Do they have grease fittings?

KP11520

Order a new MOOG K9818 and have it pressed in. (or buy a kit) Same as what's in there now with the grease fitting. You just got a bad one. I know it sucks, but it happens, even to the best manufacturers. Moog will most likely warranty it and send it free. CONTACT MOOG DIRECTLY! Otherwise, RockAuto has them for $20.79.

Don't make this harder than it needs to be.

Good luck and happy driving!

MichMaxFan

no grease fittings. But, neither were the oem on my 2000.

kingw323

Yeah, the grease fittings on my Moog didn't seem to help much anyway.

kingw323

Good point. I thought about doing just that, but after further inspection, it looks like the LCA itself is wallowed out from the bad BJ. It looks like I may have to replace the entire LCA.

KP11520

So contact Moog directly. See what they offer!

kingw323

Rock Auto will give me a full refund since this part is no longer available. I am just wondering if I should go with the Moog R-Series LCA or another brand (AC Delco, Detroit Axle, etc.)

KP11520

Contact Moog DIRECTLY!

kingw323

The guy at Moog told me that the CK-series LCA part number is still good however the warranty would have to be processed through Rockauto. Rockauto does not have this part nor does anyone else. If you go to the Moog website, only the R-series is available. I guess I will go with the R-series or a different brand.

MichMaxFan

I've heard moog ck is junk. Don't know about the r series.

KP11520

I thought the passenger side CK LCAs were still available out there at a couple places. You probably need the Driver's side. I was hoping MOOG kept a reserve for warranty. No such luck!

I, like many here, have the CK Problem Solver LCAs on my 99 SE for about 4 years now. I've had both steering knuckles off several times since and they are holding like iron and the ball joints are as good as new. As are the bushings.

Most aftermarket ball joints DON'T have any grease fittings to keep them full with fresh grease. MOOG is the way to go! Too bad our cars are at the point of manufacturer obsolescence..

max ride 41

iTrader: (4)

is it me or does it make more sense to buy the lca with the ball joint already attached and just do a swap and call it a day.

Turbobink

iTrader: (2)

Tru-Dat ...

Violator

They might not have the ck lcas but they still have the ball joint/greasable fittings for them on their site

CMax03

iTrader: (3)

I've had awesome results on both the 4th & 5th Gen Maxima(s) which are both lowered using the MOOG lCA assemblies....Buy what you believe is your savior, I can say is MOOG has been my go too brand forever and most of my vehicles are high mileage DD with no issues! If I can't get MOOG parts Raybestos is my only other opinion! D21 (425K), 4th Gen (310K), 5th Gen (210K), 3rd Gen( OEm units)