As a long time fan and user of Moog ball joints and other steering parts I'm noticing a somewhat substantial price decrease at least through Amazon. I've known they're not made exclusively here in the USA any longer but every part or set I've used have never failed so I'm okay with that. (Those I have were made in India according to the original boxes.)

I'm wondering if the cost reduction is an Amazon thing or has Mood drunk the Kool Aid and begun having China/Taiwan make their stuff now?

And are there any equally good alternate brands I should consider? Cost isn't an issue necessarily but longevity is----share what you have or are using and would you honestly recommend them to others?

TIA

 

I've used Moog every chance I can. I like the way I can contact the company and the responded. The parts that I have bought are still in operation. No idea of pieces built overseas. So far I still like the parts and will continue using the brand until I find a change that makes them a bad choice. I've even paid more on line to get Moog but will usually still do it.

 

I'm of the same mind quality price-wise----I want the best and know in the long run paying a bit more tends to give us better parts. Here locally Moog runs about 50% more at the discount houses: Advance Auto, AutoZone and NAPA doesn't carry that brand.

If nothing else I'll call Moog this upcoming week and discuss their countries of origin---as long as their warranties haven't changed I'll be okay with parts built to their specifications.

 

Warranty isn't always the best choice.. For instance When I bought my truck it have a aftermarket alternator on it. Seller says it has a lifetime warranty on it. He has needed to change it about every 18 months. Now if you figure that you might be stranded and/or the labor cost and/or fuel cost to exchange the part... not good. When it went bad after I bought it I replaced the part with one from a different supplier. So it needs to be more than just warranty as well. Parts must hold up and only fail almost never. Quality is better.. Quality will keep it from failing. If Moogs quality fall... I will buy from someone more reliable.

 

I agree with you about warranties---they're useless if the product is crap. Add to that if you don't have the original receipt making the exchange can be an issue too. I don't have worries there as I keep every receipt for every vehicle part no matter where or from whom it was purchased.

I'm always looking for the best quality which is why Moog tends to be my first choice in steering parts.

Thanks!

 

I don't have personal experience with Moog's ball joints ect lately but in the wheel bearing department I put moog bearing hubs on my bosses 2015 f350 and they went bad in about a month if I remember the time frame correctly. A local parts store man told of going thru several sets of moog bearing hubs on a relatives truck and finely went with timkins and that solved it. I am currently in the market for bearing hubs for my 2004 f350. Not shure where to turn.

 

I'd run through hell and high water IF Timken's were available--that's a name older than me. If Spicer has their name on something that'd be a great choice as well. If all else fails the factory stuff ain't too bad.

 

Timkins are available thru Amazon. After the disappointing experience with moog on the bosses truck the reviews on the timkins that reference short lifespan have me concerned. So I guess I will talk with a parts guy who has not steered me wrong yet come Monday. Also I will look into motorcraft on the internet and see what comes up.
thanks

 

I've been using Moog stuff, mostly front end suspension parts, on several vehicles we own. I've been quite happy with them. Recently, though, I ordered some Moog parts through Rockauto, including two replacement sway bar links. One of the links was packaged incorrectly (the box was labelled with the correct number, but the part clearly was not right), so I was sent a replacement. The first link was a standard nut-and-bolt setup and had the usual blue neoprene bushings. The replacement link was clearly designed differently. Instead of a regular hex nut and bolt, it came with a shorter bolt and a barrel nut. No problem there, but the bushings were made of a different material; they where white, and rather than solid, they were hollow with some ribs inside the bushing that radiated out from the center of the bushing to the circumference. The white bushings felt similarly firm compared to the old blue ones, but my overall sense was that they didn't seem like they'd be as durable. It concerns me a bit, because Moog has been pretty dependable, but the new bushing style struck me as being kind of cheap. I'll be interested to see if they hold up. I'd be more comfortable with solid bushings, but may these have some advantage? Time will tell..

 

I typically use MC or AC Delco professional line products. Moog is good provided you get their premium/professional line...… TRW makes a portion of it but avoid any of the thermoplastic crap...………. Timken always for bearings and Spicer for u-joints

always done this for 35 years...… at the insistence of one of my buds who owns his own auto parts store, I tried SK (IIRR) wheel bearings...what a piece of crap.... failed in less than 30 days.