Chinese front-end parts

[OVERKILL]

When I bought the Expedition, I knew they had put some new front-end parts on to get it through the safety. I was somewhat suspect of the quality of the components they used, as these vehicles are known to be unkind to front-end parts.

I had started to hear a little bit of a "thunk" when I went from full-lock to neutral coming from the left-front wheel so I took it to my mechanic client to check out for me.

The left-outer tie-rod end was the only original one left on the truck. It is non-greasable. It was also dead. Not bad, it lasted almost 180,000Km.

The right-upper control arm had some play in the front bushing. Conveniently, this assembly had been replaced with a no-name whitebox Chinese part that was significantly smaller in many areas than the Ford? one that was on the left side. The boot on the upper ball-joint (part of this component) had also split wide-open, a common theme with a couple of the tie-rod ends that appeared to be of the same origin as this component. I noticed this the last time I greased it and changed the oil.

So, new Moog tie-rod end for the left side. New Moog upper control arm and ball-joint assembly for the right side. The upper control arm on the left side was of MUCH higher quality, looking VERY similar to the Moog one, but did not say Moog on it. The Moog tie-rod end was almost twice the size of the one that came off. And of course is greaseable.

I'm keeping my fingers cross that putting the Mobil 1 grease to the remainder of these questionable quality components will keep them alive longer.... But that may just be empty hope.

She's slated for an alignment at Ford on Monday.



Who else has had this sort of fun with junk components fitted by a dealer?

 

[LS2JSTS]

I know it's not proper to generalize...But Chinese parts generally suck!

 

[Nick R]

This is why I'm looking hard to find a new wheel bearing for my car that is Made in USA, or made in Canada.

 

[gmchevroletruck]

It's proper to do so, if it's true! Who cares about being "politically correct" lol

 

[StevieC]

It's Made at Walmart you want to worry about.

 

[wirelessF]

Originally Posted By: StevieC
It's Made at Walmart you want to worry about.

Now if Wal-Mart had a auto parts center.

 

[BuickGN]

Originally Posted By: LS2JSTS
I know it's not proper to generalize...But Chinese parts generally suck!


Yes they do!

 

[ArrestMeRedZ]

It is proper to generalize in this case. If it's made in china (no caps = no respect) there is no quality control. The "steel" can be anything from pot metal to aluminum.

 

[JustinH]

I'd bet it happens a ton out there guys.

I bought a car a few years ago, they put the lowest end brakes and rotors on the front of it. They make a ton of dust, and noise.

Selling cars is all about profit, believe it or not there is actually parts out there worse quality than autozone

 

[swalve]

It's not so much that the Chinese only make cheap parts. It just happens to be the place where labor is cheapest and cheap parts CAN be made. Rest assured, they can make good stuff if the manufacturers spec for it.

 

[Trav]

I always try to use Moog or OEM.Last year i tried to save someone a few bucks by installing Mevotech at their request.
The Lower control arms bolted in ok but when we tried to align it there was no way to bring it into specs.

R&R with Moog and it was almost right on the money before going on the rack.Never again,Moog or OEM or i pass the job.I felt bad for the guy,in these times some folks are hurting bad so i ate the labor,these cheap parts cost a whole lot more than quality ones in the long run for both the mechanic and the customer.

 

[artificialist]

I have found that Chinese front end parts should be avoided.

I have seen too many generic outer tie rods ends with 30,000 miles on them totally sloppy.

I had to replace a pitman arm for a Chevy 1500 multiple times because the replacement part was an Autozone sourced generic from China.

Unless you plan to keep the car for a while, never buy Chinese front end parts.

When I care about a car, I use only Moog or OE.

 

[Oldswagon]

I am a Moog only for front end parts as well, and I have always had good luck. I am also a big advocate of greasable front end parts. My 'burb is pushing 340K kms and the front end is all original except for the two inner tie rods (I replaced them with Moog rods a couple years ago when a boot on one let go). The front end on this truck is greased every 5,000 km's religiously.

I'll probably need to do the idler arm and pitman arm sometime in the next year, but overall I can't compalain it's still pretty tight (expecially with the roads I drive on). I may also replace the ball joints over the next year just due to the mileage on them.

I just replaced the upper control arms on my other half's Civic a few weeks ago. She complained about a rattling in the front end so I checked the ball joints. Sure enough the uppers were COMPLETELY shot with only 150K km's on them (I was surprised they didn't let go they had so much play). I ended up replacing the entire control arm assembly, but still couldn't get one with a greasable ball joint. I cut open the old ball joint boot and the grease was all dried up and hard. I am sure a greasable joint would have lasted longer.

A buddy of mine ended up doing all four ball joints on his '98 Crown Vic, and specifically requested greasable Moogs. No problems with the front end since the Moogs went in.

I remember working in a garage when I was a teenager, and the mechanic told me that there are some parts okay to cheap out on, but front end parts and brakes always buy top quality.

 

[jcwit]

Originally Posted By: LS2JSTS
I know it's not proper to generalize...But Chinese parts generally suck!


Sorry to say just like the computor you're typing on. Or the TV you watch, or the shoes you're wearing, or some of the tools in you're tool box, this can go on forever.

 

[GMBoy]

Originally Posted By: LS2JSTS
I know it's not proper to generalize...But Chinese parts generally suck!



Right on and there's nothing wrong with saying that. Just watch out for that guy who gets all fired up over saying "[censored]" (Japan with the an taking off)

PC can kiss my [censored] when it comes to the safety of fellow Americans and even those Canadian boys too.

 

[chromatin]

Yeah, it's the brands that should be blamed. Funny thing is that people like to blame China. Just like the toys, how come nobody points their figure to Mattel, huh? When Mattel exploits those poor Chinese workers and frequently pushes for the lowest bids, what do you expect? Blaming China is always easy and politically correct, I guess.

Granted, I agree that China lacks good engineers. That's why China can't make big planes but with the right price, China can give you anything you want in your house with respectful quality.

Originally Posted By: swalve
It's not so much that the Chinese only make cheap parts. It just happens to be the place where labor is cheapest and cheap parts CAN be made. Rest assured, they can make good stuff if the manufacturers spec for it.

 

[GMBoy]

Originally Posted By: swalve
It's not so much that the Chinese only make cheap parts. It just happens to be the place where labor is cheapest and cheap parts CAN be made. Rest assured, they can make good stuff if the manufacturers spec for it.


That's a valid point. But the problem is the Chinese made aftermarket parts that are made by a Chinese company. These are the cheap parts not meeting spec.

Parts made by major manufacturers in China and being made to a spec is different and usually ok. In other words a BRAND name will be the same good spec but the NO-NAME white box part is junk.

 

[chromatin]

But you should avoid those on the first place, right? BTW, I never see any aftermarket part without a brand. An example, please? The ones I used at least had a brand called valueCRAP.

 

[TurboLuver]

Every time I mention something about the quality of Chinese parts being suspect StevieC gets all salty and gives me a good lecturing.

 

[LS2JSTS]

Originally Posted By: jcwit
Originally Posted By: LS2JSTS
I know it's not proper to generalize...But Chinese parts generally suck!


Sorry to say just like the computor you're typing on. Or the TV you watch, or the shoes you're wearing, or some of the tools in you're tool box, this can go on forever.


Not my tools(Snap-On), Not my shoes(Red Wing) and not my TV(Pioneer Japan parts-US assembly)....But I understand your point. It is difficult to avoid buying chinese at some point.