So I think this works both ways. We have been talking about cheap parts in an AC Delco box, but I just had the opposite issue. It seems to be working in my favor.
So I planned on rebuilding my front steering and suspension with all MOOG parts as I have had very good experiences with that brand in the past. Got through suspension and most of the steering before funds started to run low. So to keep the project moving and save a few bucks, I decided to go with some AutoZombie DuraCrap tie rod ends for now and would upgrade them later when the whole truck was finished and funds were more liquid.
First shocker was the box says it's "Made in USA"?
Second shocker was the tire rod itself. Stamped "Federal Mogul Steering"?
This was a pleasant surprise; that its was not SunSong China junk I expected.
I did a little Google search with the part number and it comes up under other brands like Summit, MasterPro (O'Reilly), Proformer Chassis (NAPA). I'm also getting the same part number at the MOOG site but the picture looks like its stamped "MOOG Problem Solver"?
http://www.moog-suspension-parts.com/moog-es409rt
Further research yields that Federal Mogul seems to own MOOG!
http://www.fmmotorparts.com/fmstoref...SD/brands/moog
Yea ME!! So it seems I got the same quality I wanted but saved some cash. Total savings around $45!!! Winning!!
So I will probably keep these unless something goes terribly wrong.