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Ford Explorer Community - Maintenance - Modifications - Performance Upgrades - Problem Solving - Off-Road - Street
Explorer Forum Covers the Explorer ST, Explorer Sport, Explorer Sport Trac, Lincoln Aviator, Mercury Mountaineer, Mazda Navajo, Ford Ranger, Mazda Pickups, and the Ford Aerostar
I have replaced those parts on my '03 Trac and am very satisfied with the price, fit and performance of Moog parts. Have used exclusive Moog parts on my front ends for the past 40 years and once replaced, never had to worry about them again. They are solid as an anvil. Rock Auto had a nice price and had great service.
As Jerry mentioned, I got these from RockAuto, pricing from 2012.
Raybestos Advanced Technology LH Upper Control Arm 5021021 $70.79
Raybestos Advanced Technology RH Adjustable Upper Control Arm 5001090 $40.79
A little over a year and they're still doing great with 35" tires.
The Moog sway bar end links and sway bar frame bushings lasted only months...twice. I just don't have the sway bar on there now but the end link bushings crushed and crumbled quickly and the bushings at the frame wallowed out. The factory frame bushings I replaced were tighter after 10 years of use.
The Moog tie rod ends are two years running strong.
I have Moog everything
Only thing I noticed the other day was what seemed to be a little surface rust on the control arms up near where the bushings are. Weird. If I recall correctly, there was zero rust on the oems after 11 years when I changed them this summer. I'll look a little closer when I can to be sure. Don't really have to worry down here in Texas though
Then again, I haven't washed this thing in a year:thumbdwn:
Problem Solver is Moog's upper tier product line. Regardless of where they are made are still very robust parts. Agree the blue thermoplastic rubber bushings used in their popular K7275 end links have a reputation of blowing out. Moog has recently upgraded to a new design that uses much more durable polyuretane bushings (K700542). IMO, thermoplastic rubber is not well suited for load bearing forces such as end links. http://www.moogparts.com/pdf/problemsolver/english/MOOG_PS_Bulletin_212006_K8695T_En.pdf
Moog ball joints are probably the most popular aftermarket replacements. I recently had an issue with both lower dust boots failing only two years after installation. I contacted Moog directly, and they replied the next day requesting a receipt. Amazon has digital receipts readily available on line and emailed Moog the copy along with the pictures below. Moog does not offer dust boots separately, and I didn't want to use the ES poly dust boots because they do not seal properly. Long story short, Moog sent me two brand new K8695T ball joints I received a week later, no return on defectives and no shipping charge for the replacements. Needless to say I am very pleased. I just hope the replacements don't have the same dust boot issues.
Hmmm...my dust boots on the lower ball joints failed too but I let my shop do them when I didn't have time. My shop receipt doesn't show a part number unfortunately but I do know they're Moog. Oh well, I just regrease frequently until I have time to replace.
Must say I was extremely pleased with Moog's customer service, however I don't look forward to replacing ball joints every two years due to failed dust boots. If you look at my pics closely, the left boot ruptured on the bottom, right side rubber is cracking. Neither failure was caused by over filling, I always stopped immediately after grease started coming out of Moog's "grease relief valves" that were facing inboard. I've also read here that Moog's tie rod boots have the same issues. Wouldn't be so bad if a $70-$100 alignment wasn't required after replacing most steering or suspension parts. ($20 tie rod)