Suspension parts - what's the diff (Dorman, Raybestos, AC Delco,Mevotech, Moog)
 

On Sunday, April 7, 2013 at 5:12:20 PM UTC-4, MoPar Man wrote:
> I'm looking at replacing the lower control arms on my '00 Chrysler 300M
> and my choices seem to be:
>
> Dorman (about $20 each)
> Raybestos ($26 - $46)
> AC Delco ($29 - $45)
> Mevotech ($30)
> Auto Extra / Chassis Rite ($19)
> Moog ($21 - $50 - $61)
>
> (all prices -> Rock Auto)
>
> These are all the same - lower control arm with bushings and lower ball
> joint pre-installed, with new pinch bolt and nut.
>
> I believe they all have zirk fittings - but perhaps not.
>
> I know that this thread could devolve around the concept of "you get
> what you pay for", but I really would like to better understand:
>
> 1) Relationship between these manufacturers and their part numbers. For
> example, Dorman, Raybestos, and AC Delco all have different part
> numbers. However, Mevotech, Auto Extra/Chassis Rite, and Moog all have
> "K7211 / K7213" for their part numbers.
>
> For example, Mevotech's P/N is K7211 (left control arm), Auto Extra /
> Chassis Rite P/N is AXK7211, and Moog has K7211, RK7211 and CK7211.
> Which leads me to believe these are the same underlying parts (what else
> could account for the practically identical part numbers?)
>
> Moog has the most expensive parts, and I really don't know the
> difference between RK7211 and CK7211 (except that Rock Auto shows a $11
> price difference).
>
> 2) Am I really just paying more for a longer waranty - but getting the
> same part? (for those vendors that sell different versions such as
> Raybestos, AC/Delco, and Moog)
>
> I really doubt that I'm going to be paying more than $45 each for these,
> which means that all of these except for the two higher-priced Moog
> parts are on my short list.
>
> That said, here is a small PDF put out by Moog showing the K7211 ($50):
>
> http://www.moogproblemsolver.com/_pd...1_K7213_En.pdf
>
> One other "factoid" -> I searched the moog site for "CK7211" (the $61
> part) and found nothing...

Federal-Mogul's e-cat site www.fme-cat.com shows an RK7211 and CK7211. Years ago there was only one MOOG part number K7211, but today they offer a standard grade RK7211 that is similar to the competitors you listed, ALL with plastic bearings. BUT the CK7211 is MOOG's problem solver with a ball joint that has a powdered metal "gusher" bearing that continually lubricates the stud and is much more durable than the others. It also includes a Belleville washer that acts like a spring, keeping the internal components tight even as the metal bearing experiences wear down the road. The CK7211 will stay tighter much longer than the others including the RK7211. Good luck.