Tie rod ends, $ vs. $$

[doitmyself]

While shopping for outer tie rod ends for a 2004 Sebring (100K), there are two price points: $25 +/- each(import?) and $55 +/- each (US?).

SOME of the cheaper ones (TRW) have a lifetime warranty the same as the expensive ones (MOOG).

Anyone have opinions whether the cheap ones are even worth considering? I'm guessing this car might be kept for 2 more years, maybe 50,000 Miles.

Thanks.

 

[moribundman]

TRW is garbage. I know at least a handful of people who installed TRW outer tie rod ends in their Audis. They all regretted their choice.

 

[doitmyself]

That's disappointing to hear. About 4 years ago I did the tie rod ends on an Escort. Sunday, not much available.

I checked Autozone and theirs looked very bad (poor casting, etc.). I went down the road to a mom/pop place and they had some TRWs for only a few dollars more than the AZ ones. They "looked" exactly like the OE ones.

Was TRW good at one time, but now slipped?

 

[The Critic]

Get the Moog ones. I just looked at them on RockAuto and they're $37/each.

Even if you do spend an extra $50 for better tie rod ends, that's equivalent to the cost of a tank of gas. Tie rod ends are not something that you replace very often, so spending a few extra dollars should not be questioned if you value your time.

 

[doitmyself]

Thanks guys. I'll probably go with the better ones. I was hoping/wishing to hear something good about the cheap ones. I think they are probably best for beater cars that you intend to get rid of soon.

I wish I had more notice of this project. I don't think I have time to order from Rock Auto, $36 vs. $51 locally. Oh well.

Anyone have luck getting local stores to price match Rock Auto?

Edit...nevermind...found the MOOGs for $44 locally.... as always, it pays to shop... some places had the MOOGs for $60!!!

 

[moribundman]

Originally Posted By: doitmyself
Was TRW good at one time, but now slipped?


That's what has happened with some brands. I don't know for sure if has to do with outsourcing. For example, Euro-based Meyle used to have very good components for Euro cars. It looks like most or all of their stuff is now made in China and Turkey. The quality of the parts has dropped considerably. For my car, I'd only get ZF/Lemförder steering components and control arms.

 

[Steve S]

Moog is supposed to be the quality brand ,that is what I would get.

 

[TooManyWheels]

There was a thread on here about a year ago on this, which started me researching. The thread asserted that TRW and Moog, which everyone agreed used to be top of the line (and which matches my experience, going back 30+ years), were not, and the new hot thing was low-friction parts by Spicer, also marketed by NAPA.

Searching other forums seemed to indicate that was true. Many people were now having trouble with Moog and TRW, which, when physically compared, could either match up to poor parts, or good parts. The assumption being that they are now produced by lowest bidder.

People using the Spicer/NAPA low-friction parts were uniformly satisfied.

 

[moribundman]

Originally Posted By: Steve S
Moog is supposed to be the quality brand ,that is what I would get.


Eventually every Moog goes bad.

 

[doitmyself]

Thanks. TooManyWheels, your information shouldn't surprise me, I guess. We are in changing times, for sure.

The Spicers are affordable at Rock Auto ($39). NAPA sells them for $69. "I" will be the guinea pig for the MOOGs (it's not my car). At least they have a lifetime warranty.

 

[TooManyWheels]

One thing I didn't mention. In the past there was only one line for Moog and TRW (the good stuff), now there is more than one, so be sure you are not ordering the "value" (often meaning imported)line. In Moog, the best stuff is under the Problem Solver lable, or something similar.

 

[mrsilv04]

I'd have no problem with using Moog parts.

 

[alreadygone]

Moog "Problem Solver" is as good as it gets. Spicer is at least OE quality. Most of the off brand, "house brands" are as good as OE. If original has lasted 100,000. Most anything you buy is gonna outlast the car.


Bob

 

[Big O Dave]

Originally Posted By: alreadygone
Moog "Problem Solver" is as good as it gets. Spicer is at least OE quality. Most of the off brand, "house brands" are as good as OE. If original has lasted 100,000. Most anything you buy is gonna outlast the car.


Bob


We specialize in undercar work, and in my experience, Bob's take is right on target.

 

[eljefino]

I've actually used the advance auto "treadsaver/OE" cheezy brand on my saturns. Got one with 55k miles going strong. They're greaseable unlike the factory ones... And also considered by most to be even worse than name branded TRW.

If you plan on just counting threads as you unscrew/rescrew hoping you'll skip an alignment, the cheap TREs at least won't be close enough to the same length and you'll have issues. BUT if you have a cheezy laser level/pointer you can set your toe pretty close on the garage floor by putting it on the 4/8 oclock tire bulges and aiming rearward at the rear tires...