Hey guys, I'm in the process of doing all ball joints, tie rods, hubs, and coilovers. Finally got the Moog upper BJs (K500134) that were delayed and they are nothing like the picture in every ad online. They're not gold, but more importantly, they're not greasable. And they have NO Moog markings whatsoever. They're in legit, "sealed" Moog boxes, but they're nothing like the pictures on every site or like the Moog lower BJs I got. They came from Rockauto, their pic/description shows the gold version and says they're greasable, and the boxes haven't been opened...has anybody else ordered these recently?

I ordered another set from Amazon since these "got lost" by USPS and they're supposed to be here next week. I'm very curious to see what shows up.

 

Someone on the Track Enthusiasts group on FB mentioned that the moog joints have a wider taper and deform the aluminum of the arms. I wonder if that's still the case with the new ones.

 

I've heard the same thing about them from my Jeep group guys that have had issues installing them as well, but I've seen numerous C5 guys that have installed them with no issue over the years, so that's what I went with. Most of the recommendations I found for them were in the autox/racing section here, so hopefully the FB track guys are speaking in generalities or misinformation like usual (LOL).

I was actually able to press the front Moog problem solver lowers in by hand (with a ball joint press and a 22mm wrench) without too much difficulty once I got them straight, but the first rear lower I tried said nope once it got half way in lol. I pulled all 4 knuckles and both rear LCAs and will be taking them all to someone with a hydraulic press to finish that job. I don't plan on having to do this job again, so if it does widen with the taper, it is what it is haha. Worst case scenario, used knuckles and LCAs aren't very expensive luckily.

I'm mostly concerned that I didn't get the parts I ordered and wanted to see if anyone else has had the same experience with these. Every other Moog part I got (lower BJs and front tie rod ends) have Moog branding on them and all have zerk fittings. The upper BJs I got look more like the AC Delco BJs, but they're in a Moog box that looks like it's never been opened. So strange!

 

There's probably somebody closer, but I'm pretty handy with my press (in Costa Mesa)

 

You're awesome, I really appreciate the offer! I'm going to wait until the second set comes in to see if they're what I expected and if I can't coordinate pretty quickly with my buddy, I just may shoot you a message

 

I recently ordered Mook\g upper and lower ball joints from Amazon, the uppers came in correct and the lowers came in the correct box but were NOT Moog ball joints. I sent them back to Amazon and they only sent me one new rear. When I opened the box it was a correct Moog K500134 in a Moog K6537 box. I am thru ordering auto part thru Amazon.

Moog parts are stamped on the top with MOOG

 

So just to confirm, your uppers (K500134) came in and are indeed the gold body version with a zerk fitting and Moog branding on them?

My lowers (K6537) were gold, zerked, and branded just fine. The uppers I got from Rockauto look nothing like them. My Amazon K500134s should be here in a few days.

 

Hey Gordy, were you able to source the correct/authentic Moog uppers?

My Amazon set just came in and they're the exact same units as my Rockauto order...I'm halfway afraid Moog has revised the uppers and not told anyone. Both sets I received look like the OEM ball joints (sealed units, no branding, boot already crimped on). Usually I'd throw them on and call it a day, but since my uppers were the components that were the most worn and I've already got the car torn apart for the job, I'd really like to find the authentic Moog uppers. I guess I'll try to order a set from O'Reilly's next and see what comes in...uggh.

 

Yes the new ball joints came and like yours they appear to look exactly like the K500134, they are gold and have the same exact marking on the top ends.

 

Fantastic, thank you sir! Gives me hope that 1 of the 2 extra sets I ordered will come in with the right parts lol. Shouldn't have to order a set of ball joints from 4 different vendors and hope one of them sends you the correct part...

 

And the saga continues...received both sets from O'Reilly's and Advanced Auto.

The set from Advanced Auto is identical to the other 2 sets I already received.

The set from O'Reilly's was also identical...except ONE. I am now in possession of ONE "correct" upper ball joint after ordering 16 from various sources.

I get the feeling COVID affected the supply and Moog was like "hey, let's just throw these in instead, who cares"...so frustrating. The "incorrect" units look identical to the AC Delco Professional picture at Rockauto. I think I'm ready to just wave the white flag and install these. My car has been in the air for weeks now, so much for a weekend project...

 

It could also be that many of the retail suppliers are looking for deals on the wholesale market and buying bogus parts. My original lowers (K6537) arrive with no external grease fittings and my replacement arrived gold plated but had the MOOG markings and grease fittings. The bogus ones came in the same box as the real ones but they had "Made in Korea" stamped on the cellophane cover. Since Covid, I have not had a chance to talk with some of the local club members who work for the auto suppliers but the have made comments in the past about counterfeit parts arriving in legit looking boxes.

 

Yup! Those are the ones I'm getting mostly. Made in Korea isn't a problem, it's the fact that there not the ones they're telling me I'm buying lol. The ONE I have is Made in Mexico and has a different UPC than the rest. I plan on stopping by o'reilly's today and asking them if they can have their warehouse confirm the correct boxes/UPCs before they send this time. Last ditch effort before I throw in the towel.

 

You're halfway there. Don't give up! Have you tried contacting MOOG directly? If you explain what's going on, they might be able to help you out. I'm sure they'd be interested to know if several major retailers are selling counterfeit MOOG parts.

 

Thanks for the encouragement haha That's actually a good idea, I hadn't even thought of that. I'll reach out to them after I check in with O'Reilly's again!

 

FWIW, Moog parts are made in 17 countries, now.

 

Good luck. Definitely let us know what you find out.

 

Same problem here. I ordered K500134 from ebay and got silver ones without grease point. Where can I order genuine Moogs?

 

Unfortunately, it looks like those are the "new" genuine Moogs :/ Out of the 16 I ordered, only 1 "correct" one came in. The only discernible difference without actually opening the boxes was that it said "Made in Mexico" on it rather than Korea. I even tried calling the warehouse directly and asking them to look at their stock to see if they had any more and no dice. I just ended up returning all of the uppers and buying the Genuine GM uppers from Rockauto for $13/ea.

 

You're right. I got this message from Moog-Suspension-Parts.com: "I called Moog tech support about the ball joint k500134. They have changed the design. They are no longer greaseable."