MOOG Disapointment

[67C10Step]

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.

[weq92f]

.

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

[Boog]

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.

[68 P.O.S.]

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.

[Boog]

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

[67C10Step]

Originally Posted by 68 P.O.S.

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.

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.

[54blackhornet]

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

[SCOTI]

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.

[67C10Step]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

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.

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.

[68 P.O.S.]

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.

[68 P.O.S.]

My boot issues were from the Problem Solver line.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by 68 P.O.S.

My boot issues were from the Problem Solver line.

Did you reach out about the issue?

[69Tom]

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

[jimijam00]

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.

[Barnfind46]

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.

[SCOTI]

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.

[72c20customcamper]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

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.

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

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by 72c20customcamper

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

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.

[StingRay]

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.

[weim55]

Originally Posted by 67C10Step

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.

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