MOOG part vrs "asian specs" MOOG parts

[aircargoo]

doing my front end as i posted earlier,anyway. i start putting my tie rod end and sleeves together. as i m doing this i notice 1 ODD tie rod end and box. box is not that heavy card board type and smaller. next to sku number and part number it says "ASIAN SPECS". putting them side by side was huge difference starting with the boot never mind the size.the grease fitting was on allready too. ADVANCED AUTO carries both....check your parts everywhere,especially if you want "moog". seal on bottom of tie rods are goldish and stamped "moog problem solver". upper ball joints too......just letting everyone know. supervisor at store was well aware of differences...he was a shop owner. he switched my piece in a second.... boots on MOOG do not separate from ball joint or tie rod ends and....rubber boot has a ENGRAVED MOLD saying "MOOG". OVER 1/8in. size letters......

 

[Lightnig]

Thanks for bringing this to our attention.

While I have not run into `fake` or off-shore made Moog parts, that is indeed a danger with any brand name. Whether it is the manufacturer sending some work over seas to either boost their margin, or a completely different company creating knock offs to appear as a trusted brand, the news in almost always bad for the end user.

I think this practice survives simply because many people just don`t care. As long as it does the job and they can save a few bucks, no problem.

I just wish everyone would stand up for what`s right.

 

[Stoned06]

I just found out that MOOG has an "R" spec line that uses generic parts, and those parts aren't always the same manufacturer. Case in point are the two lower control arms I just got from Rock Auto that have two different ball joints on them. Not Rock Auto's fault, just would have been nice to know before buying them.
Their professional line (Problem Solver) has all MOOG components. Unfortunately, it doesn't appear that MOOG makes that line for 2nd gens.

 

[aircargoo]

i completed my front end as far as "I" can go. when i purchased top control arm with ball joint by MOOG, was ok. i took off old parts....but control arm look EXACTLY alike accept ball joint was diff.(moog). bushings and steel arm i gotta say...looks exactly alike. i paid $62 for each side...not bad. also...i changed cause everything else was being done but old control arms/bushings were TIGHT AND FELT GOOD...... OH yea...MOOG upper control arms let you change just ball joint in future...old arms dont have that option like most cheap brands. today i send out for lower ball joints and align.