Are Moog parts any good?

Moog parts are good choice if you can’t afford OE

If I’m not buying OE suspension and steering parts, I buy Moog parts. There’s been some talk about a drop in quality over the pandemic and I’ve seen some defective out of the box parts; like ball joints that are missing threads on the stud. If you read their recent history you’ll see that they’ve been bought and sold in recent years, but that applies to many other brands as well. All things considered, I’d still choose Moog over any other aftermarket brand.

Moog parts for steering, suspension, and driveline

Steering parts: Center Drag Links, Idler Arms, Pitman Arms, Steering Stabilizers, Complete Pre-Assembled Steering Linkage, Tie Rods

Moog parts for suspension

Solid Sway Bar Kits, Alignment Parts, Bushings, Coil Springs, Control Arms, Strut Mounts, Sway Bar Links, Ball Joints

Driveline parts

PTO/AG, Universal Joints, Couplers

Wheel end parts
Complete Knuckle Assembly, Hub Assemblies

Moog’s history

Moog was founded in 1919 as the St. Louis Spring Company, the company later changed their name to Moog Automotive. The Founder’s son, Hubert C. Moog  developed the family business into a major supplier of aftermarket suspension, steering parts and accessories.

In 1935, the company changed its name to Moog Industries and specialized in manufacturing the newly patented CarGo Coil, a variable rate coil spring, ball joints, idler arms, pitman arms, tie rod end, coil springs, and power steering components

Moog parts were quickly recognized as such high quality that they outperformed OE parts.

In 1972 the company changed its name to Moog Automotive, Inc.

Moog is bought out by Cooper Industries in 1992

Cooper Industries manufacturers electrical equipment like motors and lighting. Moog  Automotive always seemed like an awkward fit.

Federal Mogul buys the Automotive Parts division of Cooper Industries

In 1998 Federal Mogul bought the Automotive Products division of Cooper Industries which includes brands like; Anco wiper blades, Champion ignition, MOOG chassis, and Wagner brakes, and Blazer lighting.

Federal Mogul was started in 1899 and made die cast engine bearings. Later, Federal Mogul acquired Turner & Newall, a building products company making asbestos related products. In 2002, Federal Mogul was forced into bankruptcy due to asbestos related litigation.

• Federal Mogul emerged from bankruptcy and then acquired gasket maker Fel-Pro and the Daros Group in 2010, a manufacturer of piston supplier and piston rings

• In 2014, the company split into two separate companies, Federal-Mogul Powertrain, and Federal-Mogul Motorparts. The Powertrain division focused on the manufacturing and selling of OEM auto parts while the Motorparts division focuses on selling aftermarket parts.

• In 2014 Honeywell sold its friction material (Bendix brakes) business to Federal Mogul

• In 2016 Federal Mogul bought Beck/Arnley an auto and motorcycle parts importer, specializing in importing parts directly from Tier 1 suppliers for Asian vehicle manufacturers.

In January 2017, majority shareholder Carl Icahn bought Federal-Mogul and in 2018, sold Federal Mogul to Tenneco for $5.4 billion

Tenneco (formerly Tenneco Automotive and originally Tennessee Gas Transmission Company) specializes in manufacturing OE and aftermarket ride control products and emissions products like: . Monroe shocks and struts, Rancho off-road shocks and struts, Walker Exhaust, and Thrush Exhaust products, as well as Clevite Elastomers and Öhlins Racing

Tenneco splits into two companies

Struggling with the debt load after purchasing Federal Mogul, Tenneco announces in 2019 that it will separate into two companies; DRiV Incorporated- a publicly traded Aftermarket and Ride Performance company that will serve as a global multi-line and multi-brand aftermarket supplier of ride performance and braking suppliers to light vehicle and commercial vehicle customers. The second division will specialize in powertrain components.

In 2022 Tenneco sells to Apollo Global Management

During the period of its purchase of Federal Mogul, Tenneco sees an 85 percent drop in its stock price. The downturn was caused in part by semiconductor shortages and the drop in auto sales and repairs brought on and exacerbated by the Covid 19 pandemic that has wreaked havoc on the automotive industry. So it sells to Apollo Global Management in 2022 in a $1.6 billion deal to take the auto parts supplier private.

©, 2022 Rick Muscoplat