I had purchased an Energy Suspension poly bushing kit many years ago and decided to go ahead and do new wheel bearings, bushings, tie rod ends, ball joints, brake calipers, rotors, braided lines, and new shocks all at once.

When I started to remove the old rubber bushings last weekend, I thought before I do, I better try and match up what poly bushings & sleeves went where and discovered upon opening the appropriate bag that there were a couple wrong parts so I contacted Energy Suspension and they have the correct parts on the way. I was very happy with their service.

But I thought no big deal cuz the Moog ball joints that I ordered from Amazon weren't here yet. Got the ball joints yesterday afternoon. Opened them up today to check them out and below are pics of them.

The part numbers are correct on the box, and dimension wise, they look like they will work....BUT first of all, the one on the right looks like it was a return because it looks like the threads on the top of the stem are worn/discolored, and it obviously had a different heat treating (or none) as compared to the one on the left.

I'm debating whether to return just the gold one, or both and order a couple from a local parts store so I can check them out first.

Is it just me that this kind of crap happens to?

 

They appear to be different manufacturing dates, based on the Moog labels on the boxes, but I'd suspect they're both good parts. If it were me, I'd use them.

 

Thanks for the input. I thought I'd e-mail the pics to Federal Mogul tomorrow and see what they think. Kind of concerns me the one appears it had been returned due to the threads look a little flattened/worn on the gold one. Not sure how it was treated before me.

 

Not quite what I thought this thread was about.

 

A driveshaft guy once said moog reboxes.

 

Me too!

 

They were fulfilled by who through Amazon or they were Amazon. The product is certainly different and the boot appears different. The "gold tone" is by first reaction not the product you would expect from Moog. Do you know which box is which? It might make for an interesting conversation with FM. I'd certainly call. How close is the price locally for the same product? I avoid Internet buys when ever possible. A "toe to toe" purchase for these would have never made it to the forum, you and the counter guy would have had an understanding before you left.

 

I think the corresponding boxes are lined up in the 1st pic., but not 100% sure. I e-mailed F.M. today but haven't received a reply yet.
I did box up the gold one and is ready for U.P.S. to pick up, and I have notification from Amazon that a replacement was already shipped out and may receive it on Friday. Will be interesting to see what that one looks like. Will follow-up with a pic.