Chevy Express vans and MOOG parts

[booster]

I have used and been happy with MOOG suspension and steering parts literally for decades, but especially when piled on the recent change to the front springs that now give too high a lift, what I have now run into really gives me pause as to their current business model.


Our 2007 Chevy Roadtrek 190 has always had the right front wheel that sits further rearward than the left on by at least 1/2 inch and it is also maxed out on camber at lower than I would like.


Since the camber is also maxed out for positive, it appeared to me that it either had to be a bent lower control arm or a bent or out of spec frame mounting. To check if it was the lower A arm I just decided to order a new one and see if it sat in the same place. Easy, right?


My choice would be a MOOG arm with a problem solver balljoint. Not available any more. I contacted them to see what joint was in them and was told it was a non factory size joint so a problem solver would not be able to be put in them. ????? This is what you normally see in bottom line import arms the use the same balljoints for lots of different applications whether they are OK with application or not.


When I look into it, I see a lot of information from what appear to be reliable sources that say MOOG has gone to cheap crap parts now so no better than the low end stuff.


This leaves not much in options to get good quality parts for our van as many of the other top brands, as I understand it, were also made by MOOG and private labeled for them.


I had used Mevotech Supreme parts in the front end rebuild of my 96 Roadmaster about 8 years ago and was a bit disappointed as they were so tight they affected the steering centering. Their reputation has improved since then based on reviews though.


I finally ordered a Mevotech Supreme arm assembly and we will see how it turns out. At least they tell you they use a sintered bearing in the balljoints instead of plastic, where MOOG is now silent even though they used to tout it and others are all plastic now or won't say. IMO, a 9600# van needs a stronger bearing than plastic.



I am afraid that this is the way of the future as now many/most of even the AC Delco parts are identical to the private labeled import parts for the same applications. Sometimes even dealer parts are also the same as I have found on some of my 96 Buick parts.


Beyond the parts issues, I am very interested in what I will find on the right front and if I can fix it and get more caster plus how it will affect the directional stability of the van.

[jjrbus]

I have had a few bad experiences in the last few years. My mechanic friend thinks the Chinese are sabotaging the American economy with inferior parts. He claims they are replacing too many defective parts on their dime! I got burned on Ebay, then found several other people that were burned on the same part!

I have been buying from Chevy online, with free shipping to the dealer, no hassle returns and sales, 35% off electrical now is not a bad price.

https://parts.chevrolet.com/categori...dyNumDoorsId=7

[booster]

Originally Posted by jjrbus

I have had a few bad experiences in the last few years. My mechanic friend thinks the Chinese are sabotaging the American economy with inferior parts. He claims they are replacing too many defective parts on their dime! I got burned on Ebay, then found several other people that were burned on the same part!

I have been buying from Chevy online, with free shipping to the dealer, no hassle returns and sales, 35% off electrical now is not a bad price.

https://parts.chevrolet.com/categori...dyNumDoorsId=7

I also use the online, usually dealer owned, discount OEM parts sites, but you don't always get the best pricing for some reason. In the case of the lower control arm for our 07 Express van, Rock Auto has the same part number "genuine GM OEM" for $100 less than the site in the link shows.


I found it very interesting that on the linked site they have a disclaimer stating the parts they sell as Genuine GM parts may have previously appeared as Delco original equipment parts or some other terminology. On my 96 Buick Roadmaster I have found that the dealer parts, Delco parts, and Delphi parts are commonly identical now, and all appear to be private label aftermarket products.

[jjrbus]

I just ordered Bilstein shocks from Rock Auto, but not before spending a 1/2 hour on the net seeing if there are counterfit bilsten's being sold. There are but not in the B6 shocks. With the dealer I should not have to worry about fake parts!

I like the free no hassle returns also especially with heavy items, just return them to the dealer. Choices and options.