Moog vs. Raybestos : Ball Joints & Tie Rods

[Ralph (1970 GMC)]

I'm shopping for new Ball Joints & Tie Rods for my 1970 GMC (1/2 ton step side). I've heard a lot of good things about RockAuto Parts, but am confused about whether to buy Moog (Problem Solver) or Raybestos (Professional Grade). Which one is better and are they both made in the USA ? Any advice on those parts and your wxperience with RockAuto Parts is greatly appreciated.

[67ctener]

I ordered a COMPLETE front end raybestos kit through early classic enterprises. Seems like nice quality to me but haven't had the truck on the road. They offer great prices on complete kits. I also have friends that only run all moog but have no reason why they prefer one over the other.

[Zeke's Garage]

Between the two, I would choose Moog, but either of those are better than any of the China or India made stuff.

[D.PASSMORE]

Intresting read:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=497202

[Drewski23]

here bros

http://www.moog-suspension-parts.com...PackageDeal119

[Zeke's Garage]

Ah well duped again.. tough to stay on top of the global market.

[motorcritter]

It's not just Chinese stuff. When the Germanys reunited, there was a lot of Weat German sources stuff (usually electrical) that got made in plants moved to the former East Germany. Some other German made stuff got sources in other Eastern Bloc countries and quality control plummeted. The Chinese (and other not-first-world manufacturers) stuff has gotten better, but its not up to where quality (overall) used to be. It used to be you could count on a replacement part to fit and/or work- now, not so much.

[tony58]

Moog can be from many countries. The advantage to Moog regardless if it's Chinese or not is they (Moog) ensure their products meet minimum quality levels, unlike small companies that don't care about quality.

[leddzepp]

Buy from a local store. Check the house brand, oftentimes it is re boxed Moog.

[Jahloha]

Originally Posted by leddzepp

Buy from a local store. Check the house brand, oftentimes it is re boxed Moog.

Ledd:

Local store like Napa or something?

[leddzepp]

Napa, CarQuest, etc. I bought mine from Star Auto, put side by side with Moog and they were identical

[John Pasinski]

Originally Posted by tony58

Moog can be from many countries. The advantage to Moog regardless if it's Chinese or not is they (Moog) ensure their products meet minimum quality levels, unlike small companies that don't care about quality.

I agree! In my line of work, I have to buy industrial material handling parts. Although many if not most mfg'rs purchase offshore, the reputable ones have their parts and components mfg'd to their engineered standards.
China makes junk only when the customer doesn't care. They can make anything cheaper than we can even to high standards. This is because there are little to no environmental laws, worker safety laws, workers comp protection, labor laws etc...

[Husker]

Moog
Ron

[hounddogs!]

I bought everything for a '71 3/4T individually from RockAuto last summer. All Moog, all made in USA.


Ought to be good for another 40 years; by then I won't care.

[bigmac73]

Raybestos Pro grade from rock auto

[Prematuregrey]

I use Moog when available. I know they can be made in other countries, but like previously stated, they ensure minimum quality standards. We use a lot of Moog valves in our subs and robotic manipulators and only see issues come up from other faults like a pump crapping the bed and sending shavings through them or improper installation. Every time I've replaced a Moog item, I can attribute its failure to some other fault or misuse.

[hockeyjerk1]

I bought my front end stuff from Rockauto and it was all either Moog or Raybestos and on the surface were great prices, BUT,
I would have been better off buying a complete kit from one of the many quality vendors mostly because of shipping cost.
Also Rockauto is not always careful about what is really in the packages. I got dodge dakota ball joints in one shipment. Cross reference the part numbers with the moog/raybestos/Delco numbers before purchasing

[Ralph (1970 GMC)]

Thank you all for your input - it's been very helpful !

[csfields]

I got all mine (pictured in my build thread) from Federated Auto Parts using Moog. They fit well and seemed to be of OEM quality.

[heyjoe]

I am very leery about any item or part marked or advertised with the word "professional" or "pro".

Those words have become merely marketing terms that mean diddly-squat. Years ago, I noticed the proliferation of the words "pro" or "professional" at the time the Big-Box stores began cropping up. It was a marketing ploy to delude the Do It To Yourselfers that they were buying products that professional tradesmen could buy from supply houses at trade-discounted prices. In reality, the Big-Boxes were selling cheaply made offshore crap.

Until I start getting what I deem as crap parts from MOOG, I will continue to have trust in their quality. Not much trust in the other brands, regardless of how "professional" they are marketed as.

[coueshunter]

Does XRF make parts for our trucks? Very well designed and working parts for my other truck and jeep

[PanelDeland]

Originally Posted by heyjoe

I am very leery about any item or part marked or advertised with the word "professional" or "pro".

Those words have become merely marketing terms that mean diddly-squat. Years ago, I noticed the proliferation of the words "pro" or "professional" at the time the Big-Box stores began cropping up. It was a marketing ploy to delude the Do It To Yourselfers that they were buying products that professional tradesmen could buy from supply houses at trade-discounted prices. In reality, the Big-Boxes were selling cheaply made offshore crap.

Until I start getting what I deem as crap parts from MOOG, I will continue to have trust in their quality. Not much trust in the other brands, regardless of how "professional" they are marketed as.

Pro is a misleading term.It really denotes only that a person is paid to do something.An expert however is someone who does it in an expert manner.

[eldogg]

I prefer Raybestos over Moog. I really like the attached ball joint boots. I think if you compare them side by side you will see the difference.

[TexasLS1]

Tagging for later, getting ready to buy these. Thanks for the info guys