Febi Control Arms - Initial Review

[bmdubya1198]

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...

I agree, that's why I'm leaning towards Meyle HD. They're much cheaper than Lemforder and with FCP's warranty, I'm not worried about doing the job twice over a couple years if I don't have to pay for new parts.

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

That's how I look at it.

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.

Same with struts. By the second time I did them, I knocked out the pair in an hour.

[erikv11]

Whoa, very nice, struts is a whole lot more work than control arms, you are FAST!

[bmdubya1198]

Whoa, very nice, struts is a whole lot more work than control arms, you are FAST!

I have to give partial credit to my Craftsman impact wrench on that one . I was honestly surprised on how fast I was able to get it done with that.

[mecheng]

Get a flex head 3/8" high tooth count (72 tooth minimum) and you will greatly improve the time it takes to complete this task.
I wish I would have knew early how much this helps jobs in the wheel well.

All good options from lowest to highest budget: Pittsburgh, Gear Wrench, Armstrong, Snap On

[theWIFES_S70]

Get a flex head 3/8" high tooth count (72 tooth minimum) and you will greatly improve the time it takes to complete this task.
I wish I would have knew early how much this helps jobs in the wheel well.

All good options from lowest to highest budget: Pittsburgh, Gear Wrench, Armstrong, Snap On

The necessary 3/8 tools:
- a good 3/8 flex head ratchet
- a good 3/8 breaker bar
- a set of 3/8 flex-head sockets

And if your ratchet has too much backdrag, open it up and clean it. I use SK round head ratchets and I have absolutely no backdrag on them. Yeah, much lower tooth count so I need more turns, but backdrag is where you really feel it!

[bmdubya1198]

I'm a ratchet nut, I have quite a few. My favorite 3/8" is the current 72-tooth Husky. I like my Duralast, but a little too much back drag. I have to clean it out once more and use a thinner oil. The smear of grease they put in it when it was made isn't good for the fine tooth gear. I love my Craftsmans, but they are 36 tooth... I like a very fine tooth ratchet. Kobalt's 90 tooth gear is really nice.
Pittsburgh (Harbor Freight) actually makes some pretty good ratchets. I have a few of them (1/4" and a 1/2" extendable) and they are pretty good quality. They hold up pretty well. They appear to be made by the same manufacturer as Kobalt for the quick release models.

[mecheng]

I'm a ratchet nut, I have quite a few. My favorite 3/8" is the current 72-tooth Husky. I like my Duralast, but a little too much back drag. I have to clean it out once more and use a thinner oil. The smear of grease they put in it when it was made isn't good for the fine tooth gear. I love my Craftsmans, but they are 36 tooth... I like a very fine tooth ratchet. Kobalt's 90 tooth gear is really nice.
Pittsburgh (Harbor Freight) actually makes some pretty good ratchets. I have a few of them (1/4" and a 1/2" extendable) and they are pretty good quality. They hold up pretty well. They appear to be made by the same manufacturer as Kobalt for the quick release models.

Kobalt tools are way underrated, they are Made in Taiwan and good quality with high tooth count. The Pittsburgh ratchets are Made in Taiwan too I believe. Craftsman now are outdated and haven't kept up with the market. 72 tooth min, it will pay off in tight areas. I have relegated my 36 tooth ratchets to home repairs.

[theWIFES_S70]

I have relegated my 36 tooth ratchets to home repairs.

The same here. The plastic blow-molded case of Craftsman tools from the 90 are in the utility closet, mostly used to assemble Ikea furniture, attach lawnmower blades and tighten nuts on various things around the house. The right tool can really make all the difference sometimes.

[bmdubya1198]

Tools made in Taiwan are far superior to Chinese made tools. I have had a Chinese Pittsburgh ratchet and a Taiwanese Pittsburgh ratchet... Chinese one broke and eventually got lost at the junkyard. My Taiwan-made ratchets are holding up great. My Duralast is also made in Taiwan, very good ratchet.