Inconsistency in Moog Parts?

I recently ran to Advanced Auto Parts to pick up new steering components. Didn't want to pay for OEM so I decided to go with Moog. I was left scratching my head though when I opened up the LBJ's and found they were both different.

They not only came with different hardware, but one was a 14mm head and the other a 17mm. The ball joints were different styles and the steel even had a slightly different design.



The 555 made in Japan one just overall seems much higher quality than the other. Did somebody swap out the part and make a return to the store? Has anybody else experienced this?

 

can’t say that I have experience with your situation, but I do recommend using factory ones— in my experience they seem to last the longest.
https://toyotaparts.mcgeorgetoyota....jb21hJnk9MjAwNCZ0PWJhc2UmZT0zLTRsLXY2LWdhcw==

https://toyotaparts.mcgeorgetoyota....hY29tYSZ5PTIwMDQmdD1iYXNlJmU9My00bC12Ni1nYXM=

 

Also, welcome to TW!

 

Moog don't manufactured parts. They buy from different suppliers and label them as their own.

You can clearly see the one on the left is made in Japan, hence 555 brand. That's a much quality item. The other one is probably made in China.

Can't go wrong with 555 brand. But many will tell you to go OEM.

 

Fuck me I just remembered 5 in Japanese is pronounced "Go" and 555 is just GO GO GO!!!

Brilliant!

 

As mentioned, Moog just reboxes other brands. You got a decent part in the 555 branded one but the other is likely junk. With the catastrophic manner in which lower ball joints tend to fail on the trucks, that's one part I would splurge on OEM for.

If looking for aftermarket I would search for the 555s directly. I know Low Range Offroad sells them, or at least they used to.

 

inner tie rod… from Advance.
Also recently used the 555 for outer tie rods. If done again I’d go oem because they are painted, offering better rust protection.

Same for LBJ. Went oem plus new bolts mcgeorge

 

If there’s one part on your Tacoma that you should stay with an OEM part it’s the LBJ.
You should buy the LBJ and the bolts from your dealership.
LBJ BOLTS are designed to stretch ( torque to factory spec) and should be replaced even though some people don’t replace them.

 

the one on the right reminds me of the Amazon "Detriot Axle" or other cheap manufacturers. It is possible someone swapped their shitty one for a Moog because it didn't fit and then returned it.

Like mentioned it's also possible they switched where they source them. That said, I've installed a few Moog LBJs and they were all the 555 style on the left.

 

I got some MOOG inner tie rods and they looked like good quality units but what really irritated me is the jamb nuts were different sizes than OEM so I had to buy 2 large open wrenches (I already had the OEM sizes). Added about $50 and half a day to the job.

Why change the nut size, why, why?