Shocks: moog tie rod ends

[larkmd]

Hey Guys Am in the process of rebuilding the suspension and steering on my 60 Lark. The moog ES-344L and 344R are supposed to be an alternative to the originals but are a little longer. Long story short --has anyone used them and did they work out OK?? They are readily available and somewhat less expensive. Thanks!!!

[Warren Webb]

I have a phone number listed in my book as the Moog Answer Man- 800-325-8886. I suggest giving them a call for info on this.

[Studebakercenteroforegon]

ES-344L will replace 1561769, the short end only used on '63 and later cars. You need 530203 and 530204, available from any established Studebaker parts supplier.

[Mike Van Veghten]

Just for information...even Moog parts are made off shore in the same plant as many other "off brand" parts these days..!
Years ago I bought the required frt. suspension parts for my 67 Chevy II. Then, before I got ready to install them, I found all the Moog numbers and bought them..
After receiving them in their nice blue and gold/yellow Moog boxes, the actual parts...were the exact same parts as the "off brand" parts (don't recall the brand name!). They even had the same machine and other markings on the metal as the "off brand" parts.

I'd guess ALL older cars get the same treatment..!
"We're not in Kansas any more Toto"........

Mike

[wittsend]

I once complained that the replacement Gates water pump for my Protege was made in China. I was told regardless of the place of manufacture the company (Gate's in this case) held to standards that were above "Brand X" products. I don't know how reliable that statement was. For what it's worth, my wife's 2010 Honda Civic wire harness was made in China and the speakers in Vietnam. So, even the Japanese cars are going "off shore" for parts. Oh, well, even my Studebaker was made in Canada.

Quality can be frustrating though. The ONLY source for ball joints for my Sunbeam Tiger are from Taiwan. It was very discouraging to see the sealing boots completely deteriorate withing a year as the car sat on jackstands in an enclosed garage.

[Alan]

Witt, You should get a tube of Silicon oil or grease and work it well into the rubber. They will stay like new for years. Only downside is they will be dust magnets.

[jnormanh]

I once complained that the replacement Gates water pump for my Protege was made in China. I was told regardless of the place of manufacture the company (Gate's in this case) held to standards that were above "Brand X" products. I don't know how reliable that statement was. For what it's worth, my wife's 2010 Honda Civic wire harness was made in China and the speakers in Vietnam. So, even the Japanese cars are going "off shore" for parts. Oh, well, even my Studebaker was made in Canada.

Quality can be frustrating though. The ONLY source for ball joints for my Sunbeam Tiger are from Taiwan. It was very discouraging to see the sealing boots completely deteriorate withing a year as the car sat on jackstands in an enclosed garage.

The Chinese manufacturers are capable of making world class parts. Suppliers who care only about price can get garbage too. If your Chinese parts are junk, it's not because the Chinese can't make good stuff, it's because the resellers want low prices. I spent a few years in a large manufacturing company in Taiwan, and I can assure you they can and will make top quality parts, but they can't if the USA retailer demands ball joints delivered in the USA at a price under $1.29, which they then resell at $35.

Rubber parts on a British car deteriorate in a year? LOL! Sounds like genuine British rubber to me.

If you know someone old enough, they can tell you how poorly designed and manufactured Japanese machinery was in the late 1930s. Until the Mitsubishi A6M Zero (early kill ratio 12:1) ate the lunch of the Army Air Corps.