MOOG Disapointment
 

So, last fall/winter I rebuilt my entire front suspension, steering, and converted to power disc brakes on the front. Another thread on here a week or so ago got me to looking at everything and I discovered that one of the boots on my tie rods is completely split and the others are already cracked. WTH? The truck literally has maybe three miles on it since this was all installed as it is still not technically road ready, but close.

Anybody got recommendations for replacement tie rod boots? I'm a little aggravated to be going back and pulling some of this apart.

Re: MOOG Disapointment
 

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That's odd. Usually those boots are nice thick rubber and arrive in pristine condition. Maybe try contacting Moog with your complaint? They may well send you new boots free of charge to help you out!

https://www.moogparts.com/contact.html

-klb

Re: MOOG Disapointment
 

That is surprising. I have long held AC Delco and Moog as being the best GM parts out there. Manufacturers have lowered their products quality in favor of profit.

Re: MOOG Disapointment
 

I had a similar issue with Moog boots as well. I ended up getting replacement boots for the tie-rods and ball joints from Prothane.

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How do the Prothane products compare to Moog? How long have you had them on?

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I haven't installed them yet as I'm in the middle of slowly rebuilding the front end and engine/trans, so everything is apart. The Prothane boots are all poly and seem well made. I also found good reviews for them. I test fit the ball joint boots and they fit well. The tie-rod ends I'm not sure of yet. I bought the motor/trans mounts also after having the rubber ones completely fail on me while driving.

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This is what I am thinking about doing as well. I've only heard good feedback from Prothane parts and I'd prefer to only have to re-do this once.

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Poor rubber quality is a big problem across the entire spectrum of the classic car industry.

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Were the parts from the 'Problem Solver' line or their standard replacement stuff? There's a difference in warranty between the 2 so if they're the Problem Solver line it's worth inquiring.

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I honestly do not remember but will go back through my records to see. Digging back through my photos I am not thinking the install was about September last year.

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The standard series parts have a limited warranty & I believe they have an 'R/K' in the part number description where the 'Problem Solver' line has that in the part ID/descriptions.

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My boot issues were from the Problem Solver line.

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Did you reach out about the issue?

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This is disturbing to hear. I too am going to be pissed if I have to pull my front end apart.

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Went and checked my records. Mine were the Problem Solver series of parts. I will take some photos and send them to MOOG just to see what response I get.

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This might help . I'll have to check mine also . :chevy:

https://www.moogparts.com/parts/susp...SAAEgK0KvD_BwE

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The problem is MADE IN CHINA...you are paying for the name

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Not to be obtuse but these are the sort of comments online that drive me nuts. Can you provide some alternatives to Moog that you have used and would recommend? This is, for the most part, a helpful community of people with a common interest. I’ve gotten a lot of help on this board and this thread should be helpful to some as that is the reason I started it.

Re: MOOG Disapointment
 

I've been disappointed with pretty much all of them . My case was on my 3500 CTD replaced the front ball joints with moogs . Shot in less than 25k miles replaced with Dynatracs expensive yes but they have 50k on them now with no sign of play .

I know it's not representative of our chevys but it says volumes of the quality of replacement parts.

Re: MOOG Disapointment
 

x2

Re: MOOG Disapointment
 

Buy the GM stuff...I *think* it is still made in Mexico. Because we all know that the Made in Mexico label means quality.

Seriously, aftermarket parts ARE a crap shoot. I've used moog problem solvers on at least 6 vehicles w/o one problem. I know many that have used them also and never a problem. It's a crap shoot, man.

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My NAPA guy said Moog was sold and is made overseas now. Not sure this is true though. Getting hard to get quality parts these days. The last two times I had my truck leave me stranded was because of new replacement parts. Both were ignition parts but I am currently building a new rolling chassis and I will be upset if I have to break it all down again because of a split boot.

Re: MOOG Disapointment
 

No disrespect to the guys that are upset but we're talking about suspension pieces (TRE's; BJ's; Pitman; Idler). At least they're externally accessible. It's not like you'd have to disassemble the entire truck to access the part like a failed piece on a lifter inside the motor.

We all agree that one shouldn't have to worry about a boot/seal failing but it's also not the end of the world. Keep grease in it until you can service it @ your convenience. Try your luck w/the poly style boot/cover. I've had those split as well (Prothane brand) so no guarantees there.

I'll take a failed cover seal & a still working/functioning pivot joint vs an intact seal & a failed joint.

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I had the same thing happen to me with Moog parts 25 years ago. It's certainly not new. I reached out to Moog and they sent a box with half a dozen in it. Within 3 years I'd emptied the box and ended up buying some urethane ones. Moog could source better boots but don't. Pretty sad really.

Re: MOOG Disapointment
 

Well if they were a few years old on a vehicle being used I would get your point but the op stated the truck isnt on the road and maybe has three miles on it. Almost like taking it out of the box and its cracked not acceptable

Re: MOOG Disapointment
 

I get this. But far too often now, the parts aren't 'fresh' when we get them either. I opened up more than one suspension part box when I rebuilt the front end on my '99 over this past x-mas through New Years holiday week to pull out a dusty item from the box. It was all Moog Problem Solver stuff sourced from Summit Racing. I would bet 63-87 truck parts don't sell/move as fast/often as for a later model like my '99.

Heck.... I just purchased a new battery from Advanced Auto on 6/10/21. We went to start the car that night & it would barely crank (6.0:1 4cyl flathead). Put a meter to it & less than 12v. They tested it the next morning & it was bad. That 'new' battery was built May of 2018. The only other one they had in that same size on the shelf was even older (Nov '17). New batterys that are already multi-years of age.

Re: MOOG Disapointment
 

A now typical problem I've been dealing with for 10+ years now. I'm also suspect of all the aftermarket with just about everything. Back in the day I would just through a front end ( as an example) replace everything with new. Not anymore, I carefully check everything and reuse anything I can that is OEM. The rest, if possible, I look for NOS, and willing to pay the $$. I save stuff like used OEM ball joint boots if they are nice (unthinkable years ago). With a careful inspect I even reuse wheel cylinder, master cylinder rubbers and hard parts as the failure and fitament issues are so common and the old rubber quality is far superior to anything new off the shelf.

Steve weim55 Colorado

Re: MOOG Disapointment
 

I just avoided this problem this past weekend when going to fetch a battery at NAPA (20% order online and pick up in store) for my Vette. They attempted to hand me a battery born on Aug 2020. They told me "The warranty actually starts on the date of purchase". I said "Let's put a meter on it". He did. I ended up walking out with a battery with a Mar 2021 date, which was at the back of the shelf with 3 older batteries in front of it. Lol.

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I normally would have had it tested but I'm getting worse w/my ability to interact w/people so I just avoid them when needed. The counter people that day were freaking chatty-cathys so avoid was the correct play @ the time for me.

The guy there the next morning was easier to work with but unlucky.... I was irritated @ that point. He did agree w/me that they should have never even had it (or the one that was even older) on the shelf to sell.

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I hear ya. The guy that helped me wanted to talk about what car it was going in, how long I've had it, what color it was........... I had to tell him three times I was running late. Lol.

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Well excuse me for stating the facts. do some homework before buying a product based off its name.. there are better options out there support your local NAPA store instead of buying the cheap stuff at rockauto.com or wherever..

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I bought Moog problem solver parts that seemed to have a pretty good reputation. You must be a hoot at parties. Thanks for the facts.

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You are correct...at one time MOOG was top notch but when the were
Bought out and manufacturing went overseas the quality went away.
I quit installing their parts at the shop years ago for this very reason

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I have definitely learned my lesson and hope this thread will help others before making their decisions. I’m going to contact Moog but I’m about to head to grumpy old mans area for a few days first. Let it get good and hot so I can sweat a bunch while I’m irritated.

Re: MOOG Disapointment
 

I know you meant no-harm or disrespect in your initial post within the thread. But this info included within your post would given that info more substance.

I try to stay on top of things but I'm not 'in the industry' so I don't deal w/it constantly. I didn't know MOOG was under different ownership although I suspected something changed when that R/K index started appearing on parts I was looking at. I appreciate the info & will do some research. Thanks for contributing :cool:

Re: MOOG Disapointment
 

That may be true, but NAPA is NOT one of those "better options" though.

My local NAPA does not manufacture their owns parts. They have two lines of parts, with lower line being made in China. The top line, is questionable. NAPA Chassis parts are from Federal-Mogul Motorparts (FMM). Coincidently, so are those MOOG parts. Likely not different. Comparing MOOG with NAPA Chassis Parts almost certainly like comparing American Standard heat pumps with Trane heat pumps...same company, same parts, same assembly plant, same assembly line, different paint and label.

So, why do you think NAPA is superior to Rock Auto?

Re: MOOG Disapointment
 

Very true...sadly most are made in the same plants and boxed under different labels.