[Hammertime]

Originally Posted by Entropy11

I'll basically echo everything already stated above. Moog is now trash and I'll do everything I can to use any other brand available. The final straw was an idler arm on my kid's Mopar. Had to slightly lift the engine to sneak it in place, didn't want to damage the included grease zerk so made it the final step of the install. No threads in the fitting for the zerk and it was machined out to a size double what the included zerk would fit. I chose to pay a premium price for this?!?
- yes, I was stupid for not checking it first, but still...

8 identical control arm bushings for a GTO had 3 different inside diameter holes. One was so small the bolt wouldn't fit through it. Unfortunately it was the first one I installed and it nearly wrecked my install tool. Never again.

Metrix Premium is my go-to brand now. I don't have to but would gladly pay extra for it. Quality has been over the top on every occasion so far and they seem to strive to make parts that mirror OE. I'll also second Mevotech like Ponchjoe mentioned. They have even stepped up and started manufacturing parts Moog stopped production of (was it 2020 when they discontinued 200+ vintage part numbers?). Mevotech now even produces factory replacement springs that were always a pain to find in stock from Moog years ago.

Yeah I’d be livid and taking a similar approach. Thank you for the suggestion.

[Hammertime]

So I ordered the ridetech steering linkage rebuild kit and the delrin control arms bushing kit. I have never done this so it’s going to be a learning experience. The car is still a ways away from being road ready. I drove a 75 Trans Am back in 82 and thought it handled well so will report back when done. Might be 6 months or more.

[The Champ]

Originally Posted by Skip Fix

AC Delco and Raybestos Pro are made in Taiwan at least the Second Gen Camaro/Firebird second gen steering parts I bought a few years ago. Both had the same bar code sticker on them!

If they both had the same bar code sticker, they were probably counterfeit parts. There have been many instances of counterfeit parts being reboxed in ACDelco packaging so people would think they were getting quality parts.

But assuming they were really ACDelco parts

Were the ACDelco parts the 'Advantage', 'Silver', 'Professional' or 'Gold' line.

Advantage and Silver are the same thing:

"ACDELCO SILVER
Formerly known as the “Advantage” line, ACDelco Silver parts are a quality high-value option for most Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac vehicles, as well as most other makes and models, backed by GM."

I used the Professional or Gold line:

"ACDELCO GOLD
Formerly known as the “Professional” line, ACDelco Gold parts are the high-quality alternative to OE parts, built to meet the specific engineering requirements for most Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac vehicles, backed by GM."

[Skip Fix]

I think they are the same manufacturer in Taiwan just reboxed either here or there. They were all good quality and the top of the line Raybestos and AC parts.

[Hammertime]

So I received the Ridetech steering linkage kit from Eckler’s and all of the components that were steel were made in Taiwan. The billet tie rod adjusters were the only thing that had Ridetech on the packaging. The pitman arm wasn’t in the box although it stated it was in the kit and the photo shows it being straight not a slight curve like the Firebird originally used. The price was really good, normally $459.00 on sale for $302.99. I could possibly reuse my original pitman arm. I am not sure if it’s a heavy wear item but it’s a big old slab of steel.

[Hammertime]

So I also noticed that the metal components are all Proforged brand. Tricky Ridetech company. I will be keeping all the parts that I removed.