Febi Control Arms - Initial Review

[bmdubya1198]

Basically our options are buy from FCP and keep replacing our Meyle HDs every couple years when they crap out (haven't tried them, but that's what I plan on buying since mine are due) using the lifetime warranty or buy Lemforder and don't worry about it.
I'm interested to hear from anyone else who has used Meyle control arms, their HD 2-bolt control arms in particular. FWIW, my cousin and I recently put some Flennor control arms from Rock Auto in his S70 and they seem to be good quality. They look nice and the ball joints feel good. Nice and firm, unlike the old worn out ball joints on the old ones. I'd get them, but I don't want to buy a cheaper brand of control arms from anywhere but FCP because of their warranty. Gotta cover my you-know-what somehow, haha.

[98v70dad]

My experience with about 35 years in engineering is that anything (not necessarily limited to car parts) with Italian engineering or Italian made parts in it won't last. Maybe not a fair statement but I avoid anything with Italy in the supply chain.

[bmdubya1198]

Well these have a chance still, the Meyle HD control arms are made in Turkey.

[tryingbe]

Lemforder is the name I go for, every time.

Parts fit, last long, well worth the money.

[oragex]

It happens every few years. Someone(s) on the forum says the other brand control arms are fine, or maybe fine, or probably fine, and there seems to be a lack of bad reports, so people start buying them again. Then they start crapping out, everyone paying attention goes back to Lemforder, and it quiets down for a while.

Exactly. What I like to do is actually search a brand on all european car forums: Bmw, Audi, Mercedes. That's how we get a clear idea about these junk brands. Well, perhaps not junk, you can easily buy a control arm with chinese bushings to last 2 months. But because there are people who will always want the cheapest, Meyle and Febi will keep selling. Also, wayyyy to many people get fouled with "Made in Germany". I can tell, Germans can do both amazing and junk things. Just like in any other country.

[bmdubya1198]

It happens every few years. Someone(s) on the forum says the other brand control arms are fine, or maybe fine, or probably fine, and there seems to be a lack of bad reports, so people start buying them again. Then they start crapping out, everyone paying attention goes back to Lemforder, and it quiets down for a while.

Exactly. What I like to do is actually search a brand on all european car forums: Bmw, Audi, Mercedes. That's how we get a clear idea about these junk brands. Well, perhaps not junk, you can easily buy a control arm with chinese bushings to last 2 months. But because there are people who will always want the cheapest, Meyle and Febi will keep selling. Also, wayyyy to many people get fouled with "Made in Germany". I can tell, Germans can do both amazing and junk things. Just like in any other country.

I also think it's worth mentioning that this "Flennor" brand I mentioned stamps the word Germany all over their products, yet I think they are actually made in China. They are actually stamped "Made in Flennor." I think something got lost in translation...
They just seem to like the word "Germany."

I'll also mention that I've had good experiences with Meyle parts. I have plenty of their parts in my Volvo and in my dad's BMW, from shock mounts to a drive shaft flex joint, and I've only had an issue with one thing. The only Meyle part that had given me an issue is the upper torque mount bushing. It fit very loosely, and I didn't like it one bit. Returned it and got... wait for it... the Lemforder part. Fit like a glove. It was actually a b*$#h to get in, but it's nice and solid now. Much smoother at idle.
Funny enough, FCP no longer sells the Meyle HD bushing since I exchanged it for the Lemforder.

[mecheng]

1yr update, the Febi control arm is holding up fine. I will update in the future. For me, 1/2 price and 1hour labour, it is completely worth trying a non OEM part that appears to be good quality. Time will tell, I will reserve my judgement for now...

[erikv11]

Unless it is 1/2 price and 1/3 longevity ... although FCP's warranty may supersede that point.

[Teddy1975]

Wouldn't you need realignment after a control arm replacement too?

[erikv11]

That alignment question gets debated a fair bit. As long as the old and new control arms are to spec, and the alignment wasn't bad already, there is no reason to do an alignment on a control arm swap. I never have except when the old control arms were really bad and the car was wandering around on the highway. I swapped a pair of Lemforders in to my V70 two weeks ago, no alignment job.

Once you get used to the routine, control arms is indeed a very easy repair: pull a few bolts, smack the old one out, put the new one in, raise to height, tighten and be done.