Moog Pitman Arm: Quality? Price? Counterfeits?

[Peteco]

Need to replace Pitman arm on 2006 Express 3500. Current arm is Moog K6536 installed in 2013. I see Moog has a K6536HD. Description states it is a more robust design.

https://www.rockauto.com/info/11/MOOG_PS_Bulletin_214001_Idler_Pitman_Arm_ENG-R.pdf

Seeing reports that Moog parts are junk now, so should I avoid?

I see these prices: Rockauto: $41, Advance Auto: $126, Amazon & Walmart: $40.

Surprised price is so low at Amazon & Walmart. I see reports of counterfeits on Amazon and Walmart, and at Rockauto too. Anyone bought Moog from these places lately and can you tell if they are Moog or counterfeit?

 

[D60]

Advance is charging an insurance premium for warranty and to cover the overhead of B&M

I'm not aware of counterfeit Moog but anything is possible. RA is your best bet if you're concerned.

I see no problem with ebay if it's a known seller with thousands of fb. The fly-by-night operations with a foreign address and lower fb are most likely to be fake

 

[2strokeNorthstar]

A counterfeit Moog might be better than the junk they are putting out lately. The "counterfeit" Moog is the same design without the stamping. Buy it from wherever you want if you really want Moog. If it has the stamps and proper box it's almost guaranteed authentic.

 

[grasscutter]

I'd get the Mevotech Supreme is what I'd do. They have a junk line and a high quality line. Supreme is their high quality line I think.

Question: Does the Express 3500 = an E-350?

 

[Peteco]

I'd get the Mevotech Supreme is what I'd do. They have a junk line and a high quality line. Supreme is their high quality line I think.

Question: Does the Express 3500 = an E-350?

It is a Chevrolet Express 3500. I think the E-350 is the Ford van prior to the Transits.

 

[nwjones18]

I'd get the HD version from RA or Amazon (if its sold by/shipped from Amazon) and keep trucking. I've ordered Moog parts from both places with no issues. You can see the excellent reviews on Amazon..

 

[D60]

MasterPro offers the same part # with HD. Personally, I'd try it and warranty if necessary. YMMV

edit: it does not appear to include the HD suffix

 

[johnmyster]

I'd buy the Moog HD arm for $30 on ebay and move on with life. If it wears out (they all eventually do) I'd replace it again.

Or, that's what I did on my 2006 duramax, which was likely the same pitman as your van.

If you're concern, the rock auto warranty return process is pretty painless.

 

[nascarnation]

Moog used to be a well regarded brand. The last Moog unitized wheel bearing I bought was made in China and likely no better than the generic ones at half the price. Unfortunately the car was totaled in a crash so I never got to see how long that bearing would run.

 

[CarbonToast]

I would use the moog HD part with no fear, probably buy Amazon to save on shipping but I would make sure to choose shipped and sold by Amazon when possible.

 

[Peteco]

Just came across this post of a broken Moog pitman arm stud. Had just bought a MOOG K6536HD Pitman Arm from Walmart.com for $40. Box says made in US. The part looks good but not sure that means much anymore. So I'm wondering, have the US made Moog HD parts become poor quality, or is it just the lower line of Moog that they now sell?

 

[Trav]

Moog and quality don't belong in the same sentence. Once Tenneco bought them it has been a downhill slide, they are running on the once good name.

 

[Mainia]

Moog and quality don't belong in the same sentence. Once Tenneco bought them it has been a downhill slide, they are running on the once good name.

So the Mevotech Supreme????

 

[nascarnation]

Just came across this post of a broken Moog pitman arm stud. Had just bought a MOOG K6536HD Pitman Arm from Walmart.com for $40. Box says made in US. The part looks good but not sure that means much anymore. So I'm wondering, have the US made Moog HD parts become poor quality, or is it just the lower line of Moog that they now sell?

Wow that's an uneasy feeling.

 

[D60]

They've got a Delphi wholesaler closeout for $10 with the apparently-necessary "4 groove design."

I think in general Delphi aftermarket is just as crappy as Moog, but no worse and 25% of the price. I'd try that (although you won't be able to warranty past 30 days)

 

[CleanSump]

Moog used to be a go to like TRW. Past 20 years or so, I just see them as another Chinese made part.
Anyone remember Bendix and Raybestos being go to for brake parts?

 

[Peteco]

Moog used to be a go to like TRW. Past 20 years or so, I just see them as another Chinese made part.
Anyone remember Bendix and Raybestos being go to for brake parts?

So are you saying the US made Moog HD part is as bad as the Chinese made parts?

 

[Peteco]

So the Mevotech Supreme????

A friend got the Mevotech idler and pitman arms. Said they were way too tight, and of questionable quality. Does Mevotech have two lines of parts, like Moog does?

 

[CleanSump]

So are you saying the US made Moog HD part is as bad as the Chinese made parts?

As far as the ones I purchased for my Blazer, yes.

 

[Peteco]

As far as the ones I purchased for my Blazer, yes.

You bought the HD part? What was bad about it?