OEM vs. Moog suspension parts

I had been living by the school of thought that serviceable suspension parts, (i.e.- tie rod ends, ball joints etc. with grease zerks) were better than non serviceable OEM parts. But after reading the problems people are having with Moog boots cracking I don't know. I would like to hear from some people more educated in the field.

 

Moog = not even once

 

not even once have you had them crack?

 

I put on Moog out tire rod ends. No problems so far.

 

Overall, their quality has gone downhill. I have their ball joints and they are decent. Their bushings are bad. Don't know about their other parts. My go-to parts for suspension parts is now MevoTech, with an eye on Proforged, high regarded by many TW members.

 

I have Moog lower control arms, tie rod ends, and sway bar end links on my Tacoma and haven't experienced any issues in the 15 months since being installed. I will say that the zerk placement on the driver side end link is at a terrible location.

With that being said if I could find OEM parts for not much more I would have gone that direction. I do like that these Moog parts are greasable.

 

Not on a Tacoma, but a euro car

The strut bearings failed in a 1000 miles. When I say failed they sagged so much that the upper spring plate was touching the bottom of the bearing. I bought the OEM ones and no problems.

The ball joints became so sloppy after 2500 miles

I learned my lesson, they just re-box the cheapest stuff they can source

 

Moog is part of a huge company Tenneco that owns about 2/3 of all the aftermarket parts brands in circulation (Monroe, Wagner, Fel-Pro, Champion, Rancho, Walker...)

There are multiple lines of Moog parts. Some are repackaged lower-tier parts. Some are repackaged higher-tier parts. Some are indiginous designs. The Moog LCA assembly has a different ball joint than the Moog lower ball joint sold separately, for example.

 

Sounds like I will be taking a educated crap shoot.

 

My inner OEM tie rods are shot. Though it is a 2005 I only have 97000 miles on it.

 

Sankei 555 Japan has an equivalent P/N SRT330 for inner tie rods: https://www.ebay.com/itm/283026918718

The OEM Toyota part carries MSRP of $187, so looking for a decent alternative is worthwhile.

Most replacement steering racks include inner tie rods. Make sure your rack is in good condition before replacing inner tie rods. 2nd gens tend to get steering rack leaks before the inner tie rods wear out.

 

Here' s a little background. I was looking for when then were sold or bought by Tenneco... or a think a saw a video about them on Energy Suspension Parts (but couldn't find it again)... but couldn't find it...

 

I have dorman lca, SPC cam alignment bolts (I heard moogs are notirously terrible), mevotech greaseable sway bar end links, Moog inner and outer tie rods.

No issues but I would only go Moog for certain parts

 

Aren't Moog and SPC alignment cam bolts the same? They use the same photos...

I'm running Mevotech adjustable UCAs which are repackaged prev-gen SPC UCAs. They even come with SPC instruction sheets. Global economy.

 

OP, if you can find some Moog parts prior to their bankruptcy/liquidation/etc. that are labeled as Asian Moog they probably would be the good parts back when Moog actually had factories. I have a few of these in boxes and they are very noticeably much better quality. The name Moog and the name only was sold as an asset. Corporate names are a big deal in general for marketing even though the original company may be long gone. The name alone may be worth more than any hard assets.
At one time Moog was considered the premier manufacturer of suspension parts. Not any more. Now you will probably receive China junk in a Moog box. Its amazing how long previous laurels persist.

 

LMAO the Moog brand was owned by Cooper Lighting prior to its sale to multinational industry giant Federal Mogul in 1998. Federal Mogul was in turn acquired by Tenneco less than two years ago. Most 2nd gen Taco parts didn't exist in 1998, nor would you want to install 22-year old parts on your truck.

 

So many companies go through these strings of buyouts, and the result is that you have no idea what the brand means. I can remember when Moog was Moog, and they were respected. I replaced my tie rods about a year ago, and went with Moog because the dealer didn't stock the part. So far they are fine, but I know a lot of there stuff is junk now.

 

Just got a set of Moog stabilizer links as replacements for my worn out links. Both are make in Mexico. The machining is a bit rough but the joints, rubber boots, and fittings look decent. I bought the "Problem Solver" line and was hoping to get something made in the USA.

 

I just received my Mevotech inner and outer tie rods and I am very pleased. comparing them to the MOOG stabilizer bar end links i bought last year they are by far superior quality.

 

+1. It's a shame when companies that used to make quality parts join the race to the bottom.