Is moog really any better?

[SMEGMA STENCH]

For some of you this is probably a dumb question but as I've said I don't have a whole heck of a lot of experience with this stuff. My car needs two tie rod ends on the passenger side before it can be aligned. My trusted mechanic assures me that moog is the best replacement brand by far. He said I can go down to Orielly's and buy cheaper, but in his experience those often come back for new alignment in a few months. But the moogs hold true for a long time, he says.

Its not something he's trying to sell me, as I have to come up with the parts on my own. It was just his recommendation. The only reason I really even started this thread was because so often I've heard Moog parts referred to as "stock replacements". Well if they're stock replacements, are they really anything special? Or is the Oreilly/Autozone stuff just that inferior?

[redrocket5.0]

I run the commercial at Advance Auto, and all my corporate businesses only get the moog for that reason. Dont want the shit coming back, TRW is usually a few bucks cheaper, moog is made by TRW. We sell our house brand oe stuff, its called driveworks, its cheap, it works, and it comes with a 1 year warranty. You decide.

[YALE]

I had pretty good experience with the Moog shit when I was turning my own wrenches. My little brother had a penchant for 80's fullsize GM station wagons, and that was usually one of the first things we replaced when he got one, and we usually never touched it again for the remaining (hard!) life of that vehicle. Brakes and quadrajet carbs, however.... LMAO!

[UserX]

I think Moog is worth it. Check and see if they have Moog "Problem Solver" or "HD" parts available for your application, they are waaay better than stock, stock replacements, or even the standard Moog line.

[RuStYpNuS]

Isn't moog backed by a lifetime warranty. I've heard nothing but good things about their parts and have known guys choosing moog stock replacements over polys when "upgrading" for the same reason

[redrocket5.0]

Moog, TRW, both lifetime. Just go to any parts store and compare them, you will see who has the better design.

[garycrist]

Moog used to have a harder durometer rating on their rubber bushings and was a better quality than a lot of other stuff.

[Your Name Here]

I'm a brake and front end man and i prefer Moog

[FastFox]

When you buy front end parts, brakes, or wheel bearings always buy Moog or Temkin and the best brakes you can buy. The price is not that much higher, but the quality is. Moog is very good.

[SMEGMA STENCH]

Alright thanks everyone for the advice. Since my question has been answered, I just as well use this thread to ask another related question.

How many tie rod ends are on the vehicle? I'm no suspension/steering/alignment/whatever expert by any means. I crawled down under there and all I could see was 4. Looks like two inner, and two outer. And they look the exact same from side to side. Are they interchangeable from side to side?

I have to order my own parts so I have to figure it out myself heh.

EDIT: I have hunted and hunted (and hunted) for Spicer parts for my car, and I just can't come up with them. I guess I'm going moog.

[Your Name Here]

Some interchange from L 2 R some don't

[shumpertdavid]

Moog for the win, these go on all my customers rides unless they specify they want the cheapest shit out there. Also check out Rockauto.com When I replaced all the front end parts on my cummins, their moog pricing smoked my cost through my local suppliers.

[slow84lx]

Moog / TRW are the same company now I believe.

I rebuilt the complete front end on my Mark VIII in March and used all Moog parts. As expected, the lower control arms had TRW cast into them but were inside Moog boxes.

Parts from the dealership are an excellent option too but normally cost the most. This would get you an original equipment part. In many cases TRW / Moog is the original equipment supplier.

I've price shopped in the autoparts stores before by comparing the store brand and name brand part side by side. The last time I did this the store brand was actually a TRW part with a shorter warranty. All else was the same except the price.....much cheaper.

Another vote for shopping on www.rockauto.com or www.amazon.com. You can find the same parts for a big savings on either. Rockauto has discount codes for additional discounts and amazon has some free shipping deals.

[SMEGMA STENCH]

Got the moogs on amazon. Saved $25 and got free shipping on both items. I'm an amazon prime member, and its paid for itself several times already with as much stuff as I order. If you order a lot of stuff from amazon (they're often the cheapest anyway) then I would fully recommend paying the $70 and becoming a prime member. You get free shipping, and on to of that your free shipping is upgraded shipping. Its two day instead of the typical three day. Worth every penny for me.

I wonder how hard these tie rod ends will be to change? Looking at the car, it doesn't look all that hard.

[Tyrone Biggums]

This thread is hilarious. If some of you saw a few ball joints and tie rod ends taken apart, you would change your tune.