I'm preparing for a partial or complete front-end rebuild, so I need advice on what to get. We are still determining what has been replaced & what needs to be replaced. I'm looking at Rock Auto first just to see what's available & who makes the parts. Not sure about Centric, Mevotech, Delphi, etc. I know the old Moog made-in-USA stuff was kind-of the benchmark, but Moog has since moved production to China as far as I know. I want the best stuff I can get!

* Upper & lower ball joints.
* Tie Rod ends.
* Control arm bushings - upper & lower.
* Idler arm.
* Pitman arm.

Peter used to post here years ago so maybe see what he recommends? https://bergmanautocraft.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoqJZ_SSTXqLaQX4FZ8S-R3ReuzfOrhvZLtYSTnj9CZ_Z_ADwurq

I've bought Moog thru Summit years ago, but people say those parts are hit or miss now. Moog still sells the problem solver offset upper control arm bushings, and are the only company who makes those I believe.

I did pick up some NOS Mopar upper ball joints off eBay awhile ago still in the 80's era looking blue and white boxes for a good price. If you're in a hurry NOS might not work for you as it can take some time to round up all the parts at fair prices.

Ordered these on September 2nd for my wife's 01 Chrysler Town & Country from Advance Auto online with a -20% discount shipped to home (2-days) and still Made in USA

What I've been doing for the last few years is calling the local chain auto parts stores, after checking their online inventory to see if they have the part(s) in stock and ask if they can check the place of manufacture. If they say Made in USA then I go online, get the online discount and click the "pickup at store". I have even driven a few times to another same brand store to exchange a non-USA part for a Made in USA part. I thought that the store employees would not do this but they know and like to find their customers MADE IN USA parts if they have them .

I have observed and read that Mevotech are good quality. I have also observed many saying Moog is and has been terrible for some years now.

i have used some mevotech items in the past, such as sway bar bushings and end links, and they have worked out ok.
however, as to long term durability, i can't comment, as i don't drive near the miles i did during my working career.
on the moog topic, in my opinion, they haven't been good for over 20 years, even the "made in usa" items.
it seems even those are made using sub-standard materials, and the boots seem to crack almost instantly, and even if they don't, the parts seem to wear out prematurely.
i have heard proforge parts are pretty good, but i have never tried anything made by them yet.
for front end spare parts for my charger, i look for VERY old moog boxes and examine the parts inside carefully. even if slightly rusty, and they appear to be truly very old stock, i will buy them, take them home and carefully clean them, then store them lightly coated with wd-40 in zip lock bags before putting them back in the original boxes before storing them in my stash of "stuff".
just my personal life experience with these parts, and my opinion only as to their quality.
your mileage will vary.

Bump.

I'm getting closer to ordering parts & going to do everything. - all the bushings, ball joints, tie rod ends, idler arm, pitman arm. I've got the following to choose from: Moog, Mevotech, Delphi, Dorman (people saying avoid Dorman), AC Delco, Centric, & NAPA premium.

I have had good luck with Rare Parts. If you go Moog, try to find the ones made in USA, still pretty good, the Off shore sourced Moog parts seem to have issues.

Rare parts ++++++++++++++++

I've been using Mevotech parts, ( RockAuto) on different daily drivers for a few years now ....
A 2002 Buick LeSabre, and a couple different Jeep WJ's.... and those parts have worked fine for me.
Just my

Good to hear - 3rd positive on them. Thanks.

I would buy Mevotech before Moog. The last Moog parts I bought from Rockauto was a pair of lower control arms for my 98 2500 Ram RWD , one was fine , the other side the holes for one of the bushings was punched offset and the offshore maker just forced the bushing in and shipped it . I returned it , made note of the lot number and font , ordered a DURALAST lower control arm from Autozone , with online discount and free shipping it was within 10 bucks of Rockauto. I get it , look at the lot number and it's close to the moog and font is Identical , I check it and the bushing is installed crooked just like the one I returned to Rockauto , this time I was able to drive down the road a couple miles to return it.

I bought a Mevotech off Rockauto after talking to Mevotech customer service , guy spoke english , I think he was in Canada ? The only issue was the threaded part of the stud was a little long and they nut they supplied wasn't as tall as the factory nut, I had to add a hardened thick SAE grade 8 washer under it to get it to where I could put in the cotter pin and have it be in the lock grooves. So far so good , about 50K miles on it .

my experience with Moog parts has been terrible quality for the last [almost ?] 20 years at least.
unless one can recognize the 1970's and earlier boxes font when these parts were good, i would purchase another brand.
even if the boxes are old, that doesn't guarantee the part inside is the old, quality part.
i have a very strong opinion on this matter, stemming from my own personal life experience with this brand of parts.
your mileage will vary.

I highly suggest digitally measuring the portion of the ball joint that threads into the control arm.
I had a ball joint that that wasn't going to tighten and it ended up mic'ing smaller, I measured and installed another new ball joint I had without issue.
I had a very similar issue at work on a fleet vehicle.

This shot of a lower control arm bushing shows that not all parts are created equal, I thought that GM branded parts might be held to a higher standard..... they were not. The hole should be centered, it should centered and not be eccentric

Moog, - No, do not do it.
Mevotech, - I have had good luck.
Delphi, - I have had good luck.
Dorman (people saying avoid Dorman), - Dorman either works or won't no in between. When I say won't I mean none of that part will work. I went through over 10 check valves none worked. I bought a wiper linkage that could not be attached to the wiper motor. All are made like that. If it fits and works it will last reasonably well and have a lifetime guarantee on many parts. If it doesn't work or fit do not waste your time on getting another one all of that part will be bad.
AC Delco, - I have had great luck. I was surprised to see the offset bushing above. wow
Centric, - no experience.
NAPA premium. - Excellent Choice

Autozone. - No They are Crap often re-boxed moog.
Oreilly's - Iffy suppliers some bad some great. Not worth the gamble.
Advance Auto Parts - The carquest line is really good. Their in house line is unknown to me.

That has been my experience.
Hope it helps

Glad you showed this - I'm going to be getting upper & lower bushings as well. Yeah - this one sucks - like zero quality control!

Thanks for this!!!

i have had similar luck as IMGTX has mentioned.
the couple of Centric items i have used, worked as intended.
the only brand i have yet to try, and not mentioned, is ProForged.
one of these days i will need something, and will try the ProForged brand.

Check with Bill Rolick , he sells/sold Raybestoes professional line , if he has them they will be good parts.