Tie Rod Ends...3 simple questions...

[RhainyC]

My mom, bless her heart is going to help us get the parts for my truck. Now I have a couple of simple questions.

Should I buy greasable tie rod ends or not?

One listing for the Radius arm bushings are listed as *Thermoplastic* in a Moog listing, is this the Polyurathane? (sorry to be so dense, but it has been a long time since I wrenched on anything)

Which is the best and worst manufacturer of parts out of the following:

Moog
Duralast
Spicer
McQuay/Norris
Beck/Arnley
Rare Parts
Motorcraft

I can find almost all the parts from Moog, but not the centerlink/draglink. I used to use Moog parts on my race car many years ago...but am not sure how they stack up today.

Thanks to all you wonderful folks!

 

[IZwack]

I've never heard of "Rare Parts". I've heard of "Duralast", but I think thats Advanced Auto's line isn't it?

As for the rest, they're probably be about the same. Moog has just about the same reputation as they had back in the day so they're track record kind of gives them an edge over the rest. But the others are probably just as high in quality.

Get the greasable TREs (tie rod ends) if you can find/afford them and check on 'em every 6 months between summer/winter seasons and grease as necessary.

 

[RhainyC]

Well thanks IZ! I was pretty certain Moog hadn't gone that far downhill since many racers still use them...but wasn't sure. Their prices aren't that much higher than the others...though the Spicer Red Line are really really cheap...which worries me, so I will stay away from those just on gut feeling.

 

[rookieshooter]

Moog are more expensive then most. Reason. . .Cold forged instead of hot forging like the cheaper ones. The way the molecular structure reacts to cold forging makes for a stronger part. If I'm not mistaken that is one reason NASCAR uses them. On my B2 build I uses nothing but Moog. Not sure about Spicer though.

 

[Exploderpilot]

Oh man! I totally forgot about those parts!

 

[MountaineerGreen]

Moog all the way for me from this point forward. I recently had a store brand UBJ fail twice. Especially with suspension and steering, I wouldn't cheap out- it cost more in the end.