Ultra-power vs Mevotech...gonna order control arm

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Jeffrimerman, Aug 10, 2021.

  1. Jeffrimerman

    Jeffrimerman Member

    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2011
    229
    45
    1
    Location:
    Pasadena
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    I've changed a few suspension parts but my front left still has a clunk and when I jack it up and pull on the wheel I feel a slight movement so I'm 99% sure it's the control arm. I checked the tie rod end and seems fine but ordered another one so will change it also. I've got 120k miles. I might order from Amazon but probably RockAuto and they have the 2 brands mentioned above. Anyone here change their control arm?
     
    #1 Jeffrimerman, Aug 10, 2021
  2. jzchen

    jzchen Newbie!

    Joined:
    Apr 9, 2012
    3,316
    1,020
    0
    Location:
    Arcadia, CA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Five
    If I had to choose one of the two it's Mevotech. It has a better warranty.

    moto g(7) power ?
     
    #2 jzchen, Aug 10, 2021
  3. Jeffrimerman

    Jeffrimerman Member

    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2011
    229
    45
    1
    Location:
    Pasadena
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Thank you. I'm looking at Dorman on Amazon and that might be slightly better than Mevotech. Someone said Dorman has a lifetime warranty. But now that I'm reading more I see some have issues after less than 2 years with both. I'll google for moog to see who has it. O'Reilly's had something like "import yada yada" has a brand for $85. Everyone seems to love moog
     
    #3 Jeffrimerman, Aug 10, 2021
  4. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 10, 2013
    16,686
    8,521
    0
    Location:
    Los Angeles, CA
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    II
    If you order just the bushing, that's probably what's bad
     
    #4 JC91006, Aug 10, 2021
  5. Jeffrimerman

    Jeffrimerman Member

    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2011
    229
    45
    1
    Location:
    Pasadena
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    I changed the bushing and the sway bar links just to make sure. It helped it feel more snug but the clung was still there. I ordered a tie rod end but when I checked the stock one I could tell it was fine. Autozone has Duralast. How does that compare to moog and the others?
     
    #5 Jeffrimerman, Aug 10, 2021
  6. mr_guy_mann

    mr_guy_mann Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2020
    3,979
    1,924
    0
    Location:
    NJ-USA
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    I consider Moog to be "the best of the worst". I don't do Mevotech anymore because I would have worn ball joints on one of their control arms after a year or two.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #6 mr_guy_mann, Aug 10, 2021
  7. Jeffrimerman

    Jeffrimerman Member

    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2011
    229
    45
    1
    Location:
    Pasadena
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    I see Rock Auto does have moog but I also read somewhere else they said don't get moog when the item number starts with an R. Maybe that's still better than the others?
     
    #7 Jeffrimerman, Aug 10, 2021
  8. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 10, 2013
    16,686
    8,521
    0
    Location:
    Los Angeles, CA
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    II
    If your 11 year old sway bar links are original, you should just replace those and see if things change.

    I tried Moog twice and both times have been quite happy with their products
     
    #8 JC91006, Aug 10, 2021
  9. Jeffrimerman

    Jeffrimerman Member

    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2011
    229
    45
    1
    Location:
    Pasadena
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Yes I replaced the sway bar links and the ball joints and still the clunk. I can order the moog and see. I would think even the lowest moog should last a few years. I'll probably just have it another year and then get a newer Prius. My one goal in life is to pay off the house first.
     
    #9 Jeffrimerman, Aug 10, 2021
  10. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 10, 2013
    16,686
    8,521
    0
    Location:
    Los Angeles, CA
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    II
    If your car is a 2010 like mine, you will soon be putting in a lot more money. From water pumps, inverter pumps, HV batteries...the list goes on.

    On my car I've only replace the front struts and sway bar links. Luckily I haven't had to tackle the control arms yet, but I'm sure that's going to come up soon as those are typical Toyota wear items.
     
    #10 JC91006, Aug 10, 2021
  11. Jeffrimerman

    Jeffrimerman Member

    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2011
    229
    45
    1
    Location:
    Pasadena
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    I bet I need struts also. What did you notice that made you change the struts? Is it that it doesn't take bumps so well? I'm probably there already.
     
    #11 Jeffrimerman, Aug 10, 2021
  12. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 10, 2013
    16,686
    8,521
    0
    Location:
    Los Angeles, CA
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    II
    My car has 135k miles and the ride was getting really soft. They weren't leaking or anything, just I wanted to change out all the struts (front and rear) so I can get the "like new" ride feeling back.

    I bought original struts from the dealer, the price wasn't that high compared to KYB stuff. The ride is definitely better too.
     
    #12 JC91006, Aug 10, 2021
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)