Are OEM Toyota Suspension Control Arms Better Than Aftermarket?
If your Toyota needs new control arms, you may be considering aftermarket replacement parts. However, there are some significant reasons to choose genuine OEM control arms for your Toyota vehicle.
OEM Vs. Aftermarket
Aftermarket control arms can be manufactured with many compromises, including:
- Incorrect fit to the vehicle and other suspension components
- Inferior performance when compared to an OEM part
- Excessive play or tolerances in fit and movement
- Lower-quality assembly and materials
Precise Fit And Equal Performance
OEM suspension control arms are engineered to fit your Toyota precisely. The dimensions and specifications exactly match the original factory part. This makes the replacement procedure straightforward, reducing the risk of any compatibility issues. An aftermarket part that has a tighter or looser fit or poor alignment wil perform poorly and wear out faster than it should.
Make no mistake - mismatched parts can affect your vehicle’s performance. I you want to retain the original ride and handling characteristics, stick with OEM. Aftermarket control arms can also include bushings and ball joints that may not perform the same as OEM parts. That’s why Toyota designs OEM replacement control arms to perform identically or better than your original suspension system.
Toyota Quality And Reliability
The quality of materials used to produce aftermarket control arms can be uncertain. Compromises in materials, tolerances, and manufacturing can affect longevity and performance. If you need help diagnosing controdl arm issues, check out this guide.
Quality becomes critical when many other components attach to a part like the control arm. Control arms are integral to a vehicle’s steering and suspension systems. The larger and more complex the part, the more fit and material quality can impact its performance and longevity. We often have good intentions by saving money on inexpensive parts. However, replacing a cheap part more frequently can end up costing more than buying a high-quality, reliable OEM part that lasts much longer overall.
Toyota OEM Parts Warranty
OEM Toyota control arms include a minimum 12-month warranty from the date of purchase. OEM control arms will:
- Preserve OEM Suspension Geometry, Maximizing Performance On and Off-The-Road
- Be Made From Machine Forged Aluminum For Incredible Strength
- Offer a Lightweight Design to Deliver a Smoother Ride
- For TRD Parts: Upgraded TRD Ball Joint Increases Durability
- TRD Control Arms are the Same Upper/Lower Control Arms As Found In The TRD Pro Package
Aftermarket ball joints and related parts often have shorter or less comprehensive warranties after the return period. If you have questions about purchasing the correct control arms for your Toyota, contact us - we're glad to help. You can count on Olathe Toyota Parts Center for genuine OEM control arms, even popular Tacoma TRD control arms:
We have a large selection of parts and accessories for your Toyota vehicle and we're centrally located - we provide fast shipping to the east and west coasts. Use our free online VIN lookup to be sure you're ordering the right control arms - and order today.