Which brand of UCA? Karlyn failed - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Rooster300SD · #1 08-06-2013, 10:59 AM

After about one year, the Karlyn UCA I installed is starting to fail.
Which brand do you recommend? There's Febi, Meyle & the genuine MB for $500!! Who can afford that? So, Febi or Meyle?

Jeff

JamesDean · #2 08-06-2013, 11:04 AM

Of that list, Febi is your best bet.

My general pecking order is:
Mercedes (if not overly expensive), Lemforder, Febi, Meyle.

EDIT: Pelican Parts has TRW which is an original supplier. They'd likely be your best bet.

http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/ksearch/PEL_search.cgi?command=show_part_page&please_wait=N&make=MBZ&model=3338&section=SUSSHK&page=2&bookmark=9&part_number=126-330-07-07-M80

Diesel911 · #3 08-06-2013, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rooster300SD

After about one year, the Karlyn UCA I installed is starting to fail.
Which brand do you recommend? There's Febi, Meyle & the genuine MB for $500!! Who can afford that? So, Febi or Meyle?

Jeff

What is not said is what part of the UCA Failed. The Bushing, the Ball Joint or just the Boot.
If only the Bushing Failed You only need to replace that.

Also when you Torqued the Bolt the goes through the Bushing was the Car Sitting on the Ground as it normally would?
I ask the above question because (I only drive about 5,000 Miles a Year, if that much) I have ÜRO Upper Control Arms and ÜRO lower Control Arm Bushings. With the exception of the UCA Boots the ÜRO Upper Control Arms are fine.
Anyway, I have at least 4 Years on those Parts. So I am thinking if the Kaylan Bushing Failed there might be a reason for that.

Moog Upper Control Arm Made in the USA

AC Upper Control Arm made in Italy

Dorman Upper Control Arm are made in China

Movotech Upper Control Arm China

gsxr · #4 08-06-2013, 11:37 AM

Genuine MB is available for under $400, but I agree that price is insane. Karlyn = junk, you're lucky you got a year out of it.

Given the currently available brands, TRW is the best bet, at a reasonable price too.

I hope this is a good lesson that the cheapest part in a listing is NOT what you want to buy, unless you enjoy rework, and buying parts twice.

Rooster300SD · #5 08-06-2013, 06:25 PM

Thanks for the advice. TRW it will be.
Should UCAs be changed in pairs or am I OK to just do the one?

Jeff

JamesDean · #6 08-06-2013, 08:48 PM

Pairs is my recommendation.

eatont9999 · #7 08-06-2013, 10:52 PM

I just installed a set of Moog UCAs in my 300SD. So far so good. I suppose time will tell but they do have a lifetime warranty, so I won't have to pay retail price again.

eatont9999 · #8 08-06-2013, 10:52 PM

Oh, yes. Do them in pairs. They usually need it anyway.

JamesDean · #9 08-06-2013, 11:10 PM

See I doubt Moog actually made them. I wonder who made them for Moog? Hmm

eatont9999 · #10 08-07-2013, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesDean

See I doubt Moog actually made them. I wonder who made them for Moog? Hmm

I am hoping a reputable manufacturer since Moog is offering a lifetime warranty. It would be silly for them to have poor quality on a lifetime product.

charmalu · #11 08-07-2013, 01:26 PM

Who`s lifetime? Yours, the car, the company or the country of origin?

These MB`s will go a million miles, some of the parts might get you around the block a couple times.

Charlie

eatont9999 · #12 08-07-2013, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by charmalu

Who`s lifetime? Yours, the car, the company or the country of origin?

These MB`s will go a million miles, some of the parts might get you around the block a couple times.

Charlie

Yep. Lifetime warranties do make you wonder.

At least I stand a good shot at a replacement if one of them fails or is unserviceable in the next few years.

winmutt · #13 08-07-2013, 02:13 PM

Rusty sold me a karlyn rear end and 1.5yrs later it needs replacing already.

DeliveryValve · #14 08-10-2013, 02:33 AM

I had good luck with Moog. In fact some of the their parts I purchased (mainly GM stuff) were an improvement from the original design.

I Federal Mogul owns Moog and has factories and subs in the US. FM also make parts for TRW.

.

eatont9999 · #15 08-10-2013, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeliveryValve

I had good luck with Moog. In fact some of the their parts I purchased (mainly GM stuff) were an improvement from the original design.

I Federal Mogul owns Moog and has factories and subs in the US. FM also make parts for TRW.

.

I have been familiar with Moog parts for US cars for a long time but this is my first venture with them in the foreign car market parts. I can't complain yet but then again, only time will tell.