Which Company Makes the Best Tie Rod End?

Tie Rod End Showdown: Moog vs Mevotech and Major Brands

When your steering feels loose or your vehicle starts pulling to one side, it might be time to replace a tie rod end. Whether you’re dealing with an inner tie rod end or the outer side, choosing the right replacement part is critical for vehicle safety and handling precision. In this guide, I’ll walk you through what to look for when buying a tie rod end and which brands are considered the most reliable.

A Look At Tie Rod End Brands

I’ll use a 2015 Toyota Camry and brands listed on Rockauto.com for this comparison. Here are the brands available:

SUSPENSIA— Suspensia is owned by ISC Industries, a manufacturer of hood, hatch, and trunk lift supports, ball joints, tie rod ends, control arms, idler arms, stabilizer links, pitman arms, drag links, bushings, as well as ignition wire sets. Suspensia’s products are manufactured in Turkey and sold through global aftermarket channels, often via platforms like RockAuto and third-party distributors

DELPHI— Delphi Technologies was owned by Borg Warner. However, as of  July 2023, BorgWarner spun off of Delphi Technologies, Delco Remy, and Hartridge to a separate publicly traded company, PHINIA.

ACDELCO— ACDelco is an American automotive parts brand owned by General Motors, which also offers aftermarket parts for non-GM vehicles.

Dorman Products Inc.— Dorman Products, Inc. is a publicly traded global aftermarket automotive parts supplier, based in Colmar, Pennsylvania. They specialize in selling direct-replacement and re-engineered repair solutions, covering steering & suspension, underhood systems, body components, and electronics—including fuel tanks, brake lines, sensors, and wiring harnesses.

Mevotech— Mevotech is owned by TorQuest Partners, a private equity firm based in Toronto, Ontario. TorQuest Partners acquired Mevotech in July 2024 from Penfund Management Limited, a Toronto-based private investment firm. Mevotech sells its products in three distinct grades, each built to a different performance standard and aimed at separate use cases: Original grade (economy), Supreme (mid-grade), and TTX (premium line). Mevotech was established in 1982 in Montreal, Canada, by Ezer Mevorach and his father Moni

TRW— TRW Automotive is a Tier 1 global supplier of steering, suspension, braking, and vehicle safety systems. It was acquired by ZF Friedrichshafen in 2015, and is now part of ZF’s Active & Passive Safety Technology division.

Centric— Centric Parts was founded in 2000 in Southern California by Dan Lelchuk and Dino Crescentini. In December 2020, Centric Parts was acquired by First Brands Group (formerly Trico Group). First Brands owns other automotive brands such as Raybestos, FRAM, TRICO wipers, and Autolite spark plugs

UltraPower— Ultra Power is an aftermarket private parts label commonly found on platforms like RockAuto and surplus auto parts distributors. It is not a manufacturer or an independent company. Rather, Ultra Power acts as a house brand—reselling and relabeling inventory from OEM, Tier 1, and overstock suppliers under its packaging. The operation appears to be affiliated with liquidator platforms such as SurplusParts.com, often based in Sugar Land, Texas

FVP— FVP is a private-label automotive aftermarket brand launched in 2005. It’s part of Factory Motor Parts (FMP), a family-owned automotive wholesaler headquartered in Eagan, Minnesota

Moog Suspension— Moog is owned by Tenneco Inc.’s DRiV group. DRiV brands also include: Monroe, Rancho, and Fric-Rot shocks and struts, Wagner, Ferodo, Jurid, Abex, Necto, and Beral Brakes, Fel-Pro, and Payen gaskets, National Oil Seals and Bearings, Sealed Power, FP Diesel, and AE pistons, bearings and top engine components, Walker and Thrush Exhaust, Champion Spark Plugs, Beck Arnley, and Wagner Lighting

What Comes with a Tie Rod End?

When you buy a tie rod end (outer or inner), especially from reputable brands, a complete package should include:

• The ball‑and‑socket tie rod end itself (for either the inner tie rod end or outer side).
• An OE-style castle or hex nut or grade‑specified nut to secure it.
• A cotter pin or locking device.
• A grease fitting (zerk) if part is greasable (Moog Problem Solver typically has one).
• A rubber, EPDM, or polyurethane boot to seal out dirt and protect bearings.

This inner tie rod end from Beck Arnley includes all the parts you’d need for a complete replacement. Other brands don’t include a new dust boot or clamps. some don’t even include a new OE style jam nut.

The Pros and Cons of a Permanently Greased Tie Rod End versus A Greasable Unit

The Advantages of a Permanently Lubricated (Sealed) Outer Tie Rod End

• Maintenance-Free: Designed to be “install and forget.” No need for routine greasing, making them ideal for drivers who prefer low-maintenance solutions.

• Cleaner Installation: Sealed joints don’t have grease fittings, so there’s no risk of messy grease purging or contamination during maintenance.

• OEM Preference: Most modern vehicles come equipped with sealed tie rod ends from the factory. Automakers prefer these for durability under standard driving conditions.

• Less Likely to Be Over-Greased: Grease fittings can sometimes be over-pressurized by technicians, which can rupture boots or cause leaks; sealed units eliminate this risk.

Disadvantages of a Permanently Lubricated (Sealed) Outer Tie Rod End

• Finite Service Life: Once the factory-installed grease degrades or if the boot is compromised, there’s no way to replenish lubrication.

• Vulnerable in Severe Use: In harsh environments (off-road, salted roads), contamination inside the boot can quickly wear out the joint, and you can’t flush out debris.

• No Visual Grease Check: You can’t assess or add grease to prolong service life; once wear begins, replacement is the only option.

Advantages of a Greasable Outer Tie Rod End

• Serviceable & Extendable Life: Regular greasing can flush out contaminants and keep the joint well-lubricated, significantly extending service life, especially in severe-duty applications.

• Better for Harsh Environments: Off-roaders, heavy-duty trucks, and vehicles in salt/sand-prone areas benefit because you can actively manage grease levels and boot condition.

Disadvantages of a Greasable Outer Tie Rod End
• Requires Maintenance: Must be greased at regular intervals (every oil change is typical), otherwise it can fail sooner than a sealed unit.

• Installer-Dependent Quality: If not greased properly after installation, or if grease intervals are neglected, performance and lifespan can suffer.

• Slightly Higher Installation Complexity: The zerk fitting can add a step during installation and future service, and improper greasing techniques (overfilling) can damage the boot.

What Brand I Prefer

I typically don’t buy economy or private label brands because I find them to be low quality. In other words, I don’t want to do the job again in a year.

If I’m not going to use OE, I use Moog, TRW, or Beck Arnley

I know that Moog has some quality control issues during the pandemic, but so did most major auto parts manufacturers. I have not had any issues since then, and it bothers me that Moog continues to get a bad rap in online forums, when that information is simply outdated.

However, when those brands aren’t available, I also use ACDelco and Delphi. I’m not a fan of any of the Mevotech products. As I said earlier, I don’t like to replace the same part a year later.

©, 2025 Rick Muscoplat