My Detroit Axle Review: A 15,000-Mile Test of Faith & Savings

You are absolutely right, car problems are a different kind of tension. It is not like the tap water dripping from the tap which you can ignore for a week. It is a strange, frightening sound on every small stone which repeatedly reminds you that a massive attack is about to take place on your pocket.

You start driving the car in a different way, people sitting with you also remain scared and every small task becomes a calculation.

My Story: The Beginning of the Panic

This was my story of last winter. Strange clunk and creak sounds started coming from the front of my old but reliable SUV. Michigan roads are famous for their terrible condition, so they finally ruined my car.

I showed it to my mechanic – whom I completely trust – and he put my fears to rest. “Control arms, ball joints, everything is bad,” he said, touching my hand with a piece of cloth. “All are original parts and now worn out. I’ll give you an estimate.”

When he gave me the estimate, I felt as if I had been stung in the stomach. The price of genuine OEM parts was so high that I thought, should I drive this dangerous car to work or buy a new one.

But I am stubborn. I didn’t believe that there were only two ways: either waste money or drive a really bad car. So I completely drowned myself in the internet.

Discovering Detroit Axle

I spent all night watching car forums, Reddit threads and YouTube videos where people showed how easy it was to install suspension in well-lit garages. In every corner of the internet, only one name kept coming up: Detroit Axle.

The reviews were great, but I was skeptical. Brother, how can a complete suspension kit be cheaper than an OEM control arm? Surely someone will catch it? Is this the same cheap Chinese stuff that looks good?

I thought, I drive, I experiment myself. I thought, let’s gamble for a few hundred dollars, then see if the hype is real or not.

This is not just a review, this is my own story. From pressing the “Buy Now” button to the enjoyment of that first smooth drive, here is my completely honest, direct experience after driving 15,000+ miles on Detroit Axle parts.

Who Is Detroit Axle? More Than Just a Name

To put it simply, Detroit Axle is a brand that makes important car parts – like suspension pieces that help your car run smoothly. Their name is Detroit because they are actually from Detroit, Michigan (America), a famous hub of the car industry. This is not a fancy name, it is a real place.

What Parts Do They Make?

They make parts that control your car’s driving, steering and stability. Like:

CV Axles: Transfer power from the engine to the wheels.
Control Arms & Ball Joints: Connect the car’s frame to the wheels. When damaged, you hear a “clunk-clunk” sound.
Tie Rod Ends: Part of the steering system. If damaged, the steering feels loose.
Struts & Shocks: Absorb the shock from bumps and potholes.

Their simple idea is: You should not spend so much money to keep your car safe and in good condition that you lose money! They make good, strong parts which are as good as (or even better than) the original parts of the company, but the price is not so high.

They are perfect for:

DIYers who repair their car themselves.
People without a big budget.
Cars with an expired warranty.

Ordering & Delivery: The Big Box Arrives

After doing so much research, with trust and a little doubt, I visited their website. The website is very simple, no heavy graphics, nothing… just a parts catalogue.

There I got a “Complete Front Suspension Kit” for my SUV. It had everything – both upper and lower control arms (ball joints already fitted in them), tie rods, sway bar links… everything.

But seeing the price of that kit, I was shocked… because it was not even one-third of the price of the original parts! Taking a deep breath, I entered my card details and pressed “Confirm Purchase”. There was also a question: “Did I waste my money?”

A few days later, a big and bulky box arrived at my house. First good sign: the box was very sturdy and well taped. Nothing was falling out. I thrashed it in the garage… yes, I definitely thrashed it because the box was quite heavy. And being heavy is good in metal parts, meaning not cheap plastic, solid things.

Unboxing: A First Look at the Parts

My doubts started to diminish a little after coming here. I opened the box and took out the parts. Each part was separately wrapped in plastic and there was cardboard in between so that they did not collide with each other during transit.

I took a lower control arm in my hand. This is what I actually saw:

Grease Fittings: Every ball joint and tie rod had a new-shining grease nipple (zerk fitting). This means you can apply grease gun later and increase their life.
Rubber/Material: The bushings looked strong and solid. The boots were made of good quality soft rubber, not cheap plastic.
Welding: The welding was absolutely clean and neat. No bad spots or balls.

My initial feeling that “all this may not be true” was now changing to “hey, this looks good.” The parts felt very solid.

The Installation: Sweat & Stuck Bolts

Now let’s get to the real thing. Installing a complete suspension kit is not an easy task. I consider myself a common mechanic. I have five good tools, a floor jack, and enough courage to face the frustration.

But this job was very dangerous. Rust and stuck bolts are the biggest enemies of an old car. I spent hours applying penetrating oil, breaker bar and pipe and then heated it with a propane torch to remove the bolts that had not moved for the past ten years.

A simple fact: the Detroit Axle parts themselves were perfectly fine. They fit perfectly. The new bolts supplied with them were also of good quality. The only problem was removing the old, factory-fitted parts.

Installation Advice

For DIYers: You need patience, a good torque wrench, and special tools like a ball joint separator.
For everyone else: There is no shame in buying these parts and getting them installed by a trusted mechanic. You will still save a lot.

The First Drive: Magic & Silence

Finally, tightened the last bolt, put the wheel back on, and I was completely excited at the exhaust. I sat in the driver’s seat, turned the key, and waited, holding my breath.

I slowly backed out of the driveway. Complete silence.

Then I got on the road and went over some cracks. Nothing. No clunk, no rustling, no sound.

The difference was not so subtle, it was like magic. The whole feel of the car had changed:

Steering: Tight and precise again. No more left-right swaying.
Ride: The car felt completely under control. A solid “thud” on bumps.
Confidence: The inner fear that “something might break” had vanished.

I took the long way to go home, just enjoying driving my old car. It was a feeling like heaven.

Long-Term Review: 15,000 Miles Later

Everyone likes the first drive. The real test is time. I have put more than 15,000 miles on this suspension kit so far. It includes:

Michigan winters with salt and giant potholes.
Spring thunderstorms.
Summer road trips with a full family.
Daily commuting, school runs, and groceries.

Verdict? Everything is solid today. No new noises. Driving is just as fun as before. All the boots are in good condition, the joints are tight. This long-term durability is where Detroit Axle showed its true mettle.

Key Strengths of Detroit Axle

After all these experiences, I can say these are their biggest strengths:

Value for Money: Their biggest quality. Necessary repairs become affordable.
Quality Control: Every part is the right size and fits perfectly. Good materials.
Convenience: Selling the whole kit is a brilliant idea. Get everything in one box.
Reputation: The praises heard on the internet are absolutely true.

Things to Consider & Potential Flaws

To be completely impartial, Detroit Axle is not the perfect choice for every person.

Not for High Performance: For race cars or extreme off-roading, look at a specialized brand.
Longevity Questions: While my experience is good, you may find rare cases online where a part fails quickly.
Installation Difficulty: The parts are good but can be very difficult to install on an old car.
Warranty: Read the warranty conditions before buying. They are usually good but can vary.

Detroit Axle vs. The Competition

OEM Parts vs. Detroit Axle
OEM parts are the gold standard for fit and specification. But you pay 200-400% more. Detroit Axle gives 90-95% of the performance for only 30-50% of the price. For a car with an expired warranty, it’s the best choice.

Premium Aftermarket (e.g., MOOG) vs. Detroit Axle
MOOG is the “professionals choice” and is a little stronger. But, they are also much more expensive. For a daily driver, it’s hard to justify the extra cost over Detroit Axle.

Final Verdict: Who Is This For?

You should get Detroit Axle if:

You drive your car everyday and want to keep it safe.
Your budget is limited but you don’t want to compromise on quality.
You are a DIYer.
Your car is older and out of warranty.

You should look elsewhere if:

Your car is still under factory warranty.
You are modifying for racing or extreme off-roading.
Money is no object and you only want a famous brand name.

My final, impartial opinion:

Detroit Axle transformed a major financial disaster into a manageable repair. They supplied high quality parts that have proven to be durable, reliable and of great value.
I went from a stressed car owner to a satisfied, happy customer. For a common man who wants to keep his car running, Detroit Axle is no less than a hero.