Tie-Rod End Question

[Sawdusted]

Fairly new to auto-repairs guys, so bear with me.Need your opinion on this one. I just bought 2 tie rods ends (MOOG Problem Solver Brand) for my truck and I could have a problem. The 2 threaded holes for threading onto the tie-rod were drilled and tapped off-center. See Pics.

Do you think it's still usable or should I exchange them for new ones? Exchanging them will be more of a hassle and takes 3-4 more working days as I ordered from an online retailer.

I didn't have my ruler with me but the thinner portion measures about 1/8" and the thicker side maybe 3/16-7/32.

What say you? Mount or exchange?

 

[KD0AXS]

I'd remove the old ones and compare. Possible they're supposed to be that way. Moog has pretty good QC, I doubt those would pass inspection if they weren't supposed to be that way.

 

[Kool1]

I have to say that the tolerances and quality control of Moog products has been sketchy over the past few years. My Moog ball joints have developed some loosness in 30,000 miles. I have XRF end links and may try their ball joints next. You may want to look into XRF products as a lot of people compare them with Moog and say XRF is of higher quality. The XRF products are made in Taiwan but the quality control appears to be great.

 

[another Todd]

Install them then have alignment checked. Not a bad idea even if they are drilled in the center.

 

[Trav]

Go to Autozone or Advance and look at one from another manufacturer.
Moog has been putting some awful stuff out over the last few years, i wont buy any parts from them now.
I had a truck out of service for almost a week because of their bum stuff. First time in 40 years junk front end parts have kept a vehicle out of service waiting for replacements.

If they are drilled and tapped wrong don't use them, if QC is this bad what else got by? Get Deeza or Raybestos Pro, both are top shelf, get the lowest priced of the two.
I really like Deeza, the quality is really there.

 

[stephen9666]

Originally Posted By: Kool1
You may want to look into XRF products as a lot of people compare them with Moog and say XRF is of higher quality. The XRF products are made in Taiwan but the quality control appears to be great.


Interesting. I've never heard of this brand.

I was pretty happy with the Deeza tie rod ends I purchased recently. Pics/info here:
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubb...978#Post2924978

 

[wrcsixeight]

I've heard of Moog QC being all over the map, I think those reporting good products are finding old made in the USA stock but have no proof.

I do have XRF ball joints and 1 pair of XRF TRE's. Not many miles but no issues. Well, the lower BJ's are resistant to being greased. They are also knurled press fits that stressed a 50 ton press on install, and I fear that when they need to be replaced, I will need new lower control arms.

The XRF did seem well machined, the TRE's were nicer than the lower end mcquay norris I used because XRF did not have the reverse thread ones ready.

I have a new Moog drag link, the dust boot split within two months, and I've also had one dust boot split on an XRF TRE, and one Mcquay Norris TRE. I have Poly dustboots ready to install on the rest of them when they too fail.

 

[190E26FTW]

I say exchange it and get a higher quality one. Buy cheap buy twice or thrice applies here. My OEM Mercedes balljoints lasted 153,000 miles.

 

[KD0AXS]

Ok, maybe I should have said Moog USED TO HAVE good QC. Been a while since I had to replace front end parts on anything, but they always used to be the brand of choice. Guess they must have really gone down the toilet the last few years.

 

[mechtech2]

Install them and set the toe - won't hurt a thing.
I am not supporting any quality about the parts, however.

 

[PF52]

Originally Posted By: Sawdusted
The 2 threaded holes for threading onto the tie-rod were drilled and tapped off-center.


OK, I'll ask, since I'm sure everyone is wondering. Are these the new Chinese-made Moogs?

 

[stephen9666]

Originally Posted By: mechtech2
Install them and set the toe - won't hurt a thing.


I also can't really think of a reason why using the Moogs would matter. I suppose in theory they're a tiny amount weaker than ones that are drilled on center, as there's a tiny amount less material on that one side, but I doubt that would aver come into play.

 

[Sawdusted]

Originally Posted By: css9450
Originally Posted By: Sawdusted
The 2 threaded holes for threading onto the tie-rod were drilled and tapped off-center.


OK, I'll ask, since I'm sure everyone is wondering. Are these the new Chinese-made Moogs?


Nope. Label on the box says these are made in the good ole USA.

 

[Eddie]

Use them as is. They only are Push & Pull devices. OC was not great here but, very usable IMO. Ed

 

[Trav]

Agreed they are usable but QC is horrible. How is the rest of the joint quality if they cant be bothered to drill and tap a straight hole?
Without going into a rant about quality when customers accept lower quality it just encourages them to keep making it.

 

[mechtech2]

The rest of the joint may be great - we don't know .
But we don't know about ANYBODY's parts.
The offset means nothing.

 

[artificialist]

Put them on. I never really had a problem with tie rod ends that don't look perfect.

 

[CharBaby]

Go to any of you local parts store and ask the parts counter person to bring out a different brand for comparison. I have done this in the past! I received some parts via the internet and the parts didn't look quite right. So, I took the parts to my local AAP or PB's and asked them to show me their parts in stock for a comparison.

 

[demarpaint]

My OCD would cause me to return them and check the quality of other parts. I'd rather not take a chance. In this day and age you'd think they get it centered better than that. Opinions vary.