2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Lowest price for Moog parts?

[SRath]

Man! I just got off Rockauto's website to finally order some badly needed steering and suspension parts... Their prices have SKYROCKETED over the past several months!!!



Unless the local parts stores have also raised their Moog prices 20 to 25% or more, I don't think I'll being doing any business with Rockauto. The six parts needed for the '98 T style steering linkage have gone up about $100 in the past year... $410 to my door now, and shipping hasn't changed much (less than $5). That's ridiculous!



Six hundred bucks won't rebuild the front axle steering linkage and ball joints now (again), and that does NOT include the track bar or shocks or sway bar links or control arm bushings.



Also, I thought TDR members got a discount by typing in "turbodiesel" in the box "where did you hear about us?". Must have been a short-term deal or bad info. . ?



If anyone knows of a more reasonably priced source, I would sure appreciate hearing it.



This dodge may be getting too expensive to keep. Drop $1100 bucks on yet another new set of tires and another $1200 in the lousy dodge steering and suspension to keep from quickly ruining the new tires (again)... A buck per gallon more for diesel than gas... Higher insurance and registration fees... Much higher parts prices... The economical sense of owning a Cummins dodge is fading fast.



After 9 years, the old rock-solid 454 K30 is coming out of retirement! I paid the registration fees yesterday and will add it back to my insurance today. My intent was for my son to use it through the winter. But faced with the cost of maintaining the dodge now, that may change and I may be using it...



If I had the knowledge and time to transplant my 12-valve in it, and if I could do without a pickup long enough, I would be parting the rest of the Dodge out. No doubt about which chassis' steering and suspension is better. If the difference in gas vs. diesel keeps increasing, the 14 mpg 454 will soon eclipse the 20 mpg Cummins in economy, too. It's close now.



The other alternative would be trading my '96 for a first gen dodge cummins 5-speed. The second gen steering and suspension just can't stand up to normal use under the heavy Cummins, much less snowplowing.

 

[RHestand]

I just bought four Moog Problem Solver ball joints for my 98 from Rockauto.com. $192 to my door.

I priced them at my local parts store (Checker Auto Parts) and they were almost exactly twice that. (Same part #s)

Also, it took longer to get them (7-10 days) + tax, and I don't know about shipping.

I like the math on my deal, but inflation is becoming more visible all the time.

RE: Dodge Cummins / Chev. BB.

I have a nice 3/4 ton Chev. with a 502 crate motor. For everyday driving, I'll take a Dodge Cummins anytime.

 

[damar]

Moog Parts

Have you tried amazon.com ?? They have over 5,500 Moog parts listed. I got my ball joints there this summer and saved quite a lot of money compared to local auto parts stores. Try just putting in Moog plus part number !!

 

[SRath]

Thanks, guys! I'll try Amazon.com I guess I thought they just sold books there...



I just called all the local parts stores that carry Moog. Rockauto was way cheaper than all of them several months ago, but now one chain store actually beats Rockauto's prices on 3 of the parts. Rockauto beats them (Advance Auto) significantly on only one part, and that doesn't count shipping. The most outrageous pricing for all the parts came from Carquest. I'm talking $66 to $110 more for the long tierod than anyone else!! Wow!



Funny how the same Moog parts varied HUGELY in price depending upon the store. "Gouge 'em for all you can" is the New Millenium business ethic, I guess. It sure works for the OPECkers and BigOil Companies, anyway.



This inflation (dollar devaluation actually, thanks to Congress and the Federal Reserve's Billionaire Bailout and other monetary shell games) is killing the working man! I have not had a raise of any sort since gasoline was under $1. 50 per gallon. EVERYTHING is skyrocketing and my family's middle class existence is backsliding badly... thank God we paycheck-to-paycheck working folks were able to keep those big Wall Street investor types off food stamps, though... we'll be needing them ourselves now.

 

[DSeamans]

parts shopping

I have a small business account with 4 local part stores. It has come to the point that I call all 4 and the dealer and get prices for every part. They are all within 1/3 mile of each other, and I'll buy parts from each for the same job. Add all the parts together, and all 4 are real close. Break them down, and 1 part will always be half of the other. One thing about carquest, be VERY careful when it comes to altenators, AC parts, power steering gears and pumps. They have become very substandard lately.



Dave



Oh yeah, sometimes the dealer will be the lowest and I don't have an account with them!

 

[LandShark]

Something to watch with RockAuto is that they use multiple shipping locations and charge a shipping charge for each. I just bought some filters, a thermostat and a water pump and was hit with 3 charges of about $11 each! Still saved money over buying local.

 

[bboxall]

I'm doing my steering at 130,000 miles. Track bar ball joint was loose, adding steering gear sector shaft bearing and cross member
( SolidSteel. biz - Home of the Dodge Steering Stabilizer ). Found most of the play in my steering in the telescoping section of shaft between column and steering gear box. If you telescope it to an unused spot it is nice and tight but you can find its running length as a loose spot that allows 5+ degrees of play. Adding PSC power steering pump and a ps fluid cooler.
I agree with your initial comment on expense of ownership - after an injection pump, having to design my own fuel gauge sending unit, expensive steering components, new evaporator coil, cracked dash, and the cost of diesel fuel it makes buying a Toyota Tundra seem like a good idea.
I wonder why the big 3 need bailing out?... ...

 

[dpuckett]

I wonder why the big 3 need bailing out?... ...

Three letters- UAW. Unions are notorious for not wanting the company to have any profits at the end of the year. Look at non-union Toyota and Honda- half the cost of production for better quality, and similar end price to the consumer.



As for the "working man" not getting a pay raise in many years, I have NEVER had that problem. At my last job, they were going to give me an extra $2/hr to not go to farrier school. I was making more than 90% of my co-workers, and had been there barely a year. I have people call me at least once a month wanting me to work for them. Maybe you need a new job? Try getting in with a union. :-laf



Back on the subject of MOOG. I quit using them when a ball joint in my 1stGen failed in 6mo. I installed a Spicer ball joint, and it was still good when I sold the truck. MUCH heavier duty, and better made, IMO.



Daniel

 

[BeefDoc]

I have recently priced ball joints for my 01 and they were $5 cheaper at my local Carquest than Rock Auto. A few of my local parts stores are still owned by independent local folks (Carquest and Auto Value) and every time I am going to do some repair I always check 3 or 4 sources (internet, local dealers, etc). Many times those independently owned shops are cheaper/same as internet or other sources. When they are way out of line I let them know, I figure they need to know that, sometimes they are the ones getting gouged from their distributors. Many times I give my local guys the businees if they are within a few % of the internet prices. I like to support local guys and I also have accountability if the part fails or if I have trouble.



FWIW



Matt

 

[LBARTLETT]

were the ball joints you priced Moog's

 

[SRath]

Use this code to get 5% off at RockAuto

Speaking of RockAuto discounts, they just emailed me this. It says I should share it, so here goes. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!



Thank you for being a Auto Parts Fast at RockAuto customer! To show our appreciation, we have a special discount for you.



Your discount code is:



13050851124499



Using Your Discount Code

Enter the code above in the "How did you hear about us" line of the shopping cart. If you are using our traditional HTML catalog, please click the "Apply" button to the right of the field. Your discount will automatically appear, subtracted from your order total.



Please note: We sometimes get calls from people who put the word "discount" in front of their code and do not get the discount. Please enter ONLY the discount code, no other words or numbers.



The discount takes 5% off our already-low prices. There's no limit on order size or the number of orders. Use the code for your next order, and share the code with friends, neighbors, relatives, the guy at the corner garage--anyone you know who works on cars or trucks.



This discount code expires on January 25, 2009; so don't wait!



I invite you to share your experiences shopping with RockAuto by clicking the "Reseller Ratings" link at the bottom of this email.



Thanks again for buying your auto parts at RockAuto!



Tom Taylor

VP Marketing



Auto Parts Fast at RockAuto

-- email address removed --

1-866-ROCKAUTO (1-866-762-5288)

(608) 661-1376

Fax: (608) 836-5694

 

[BeefDoc]

Yes they were Moogs that I priced.

 

[BDaugherty]

So I guess the lesson learned here is to shop around for the best prices. Last summer, my A/C started freezing up. I turned out to be a sticky low pressure switch. Local parts stores wanted $45-50 and it would take 2-5 days to get... IF they could get it. Rockauto had it to me in 3 days for about $21 total.

 

[tony597fitter]

Three letters- UAW. Unions are notorious for not wanting the company to have any profits at the end of the year. Look at non-union Toyota and Honda- half the cost of production for better quality, and similar end price to the consumer.



As for the "working man" not getting a pay raise in many years, I have NEVER had that problem. At my last job, they were going to give me an extra $2/hr to not go to farrier school. I was making more than 90% of my co-workers, and had been there barely a year. I have people call me at least once a month wanting me to work for them. Maybe you need a new job? Try getting in with a union. :-laf



Back on the subject of MOOG. I quit using them when a ball joint in my 1stGen failed in 6mo. I installed a Spicer ball joint, and it was still good when I sold the truck. MUCH heavier duty, and better made, IMO.



Daniel

Why would you want multi billion dollar companies make more money? I am a firm believer that the money should go to the workers and NOT the companies. Who do you think is going to end up paying for the big bailout, US!

I still buy american products, even though foreign stuff is cheaper, I like to think that my money stays in America instead of going to some foreign country that doesnt give a crud about America. I AM A PROUD AMERICAN!!!



As for the working man not getting a raise, dont know because I get one EVERY YEAR includind a very nice pention, 401k that the employer matchs and includes $1 for every hour I work into a seperate fund, GREAT insurance and heath benefits and I also get to work for 600+ contractors and I dont have to haggle or beg for anything. My overall package I make hourly is $100+ per hour. I get $43 on my check hourly, get time and a half after 8 hours and on Sat. and get paid double time on big holidays and Sundays.

I have made 6 figures for the last 5 years and have never had a problem getting a job.

AND YES I AM UNION AND PROUD TO BE!!!



Union membership is up nationwide because of all the office jobs laying off and companies going overseas.

It has given me and my family a wonderful life, a beautiful house, nice vacations and everything else I own.



Who do you think gave America health benefits? UNIONS

Who do you think made the 40 hour work week? UNIONS

Who do you think made health standards in America? UNIONS



I think you need to read up more about UNIONS, or made go to you horse shoeing school:-laf

 

[Bob Cochran]

I agree with you 100% that Unions gave you exactly what you stated. Exactly how does a company pay for those benefits? If a company is not allowed to make a reasonable profit there is NO INCENTIVE to stay in business!!! The alternative is to go overseas to earn that profit and sell back to the USA for it's people to purchase and it is not like in the days of old what was produced was junk no longer is true when made overseas. Don't misunderstand I am not saying US products are junk.



I am glad you have all those benefits as do I. I am retired and currently trying to help 2 grown boys who have lost their jobs more than likely because of ME and YOU. The jobs me and you had are going fast and soon will be gone. I hope you set enough aside to support your kids and grand kids!!! Jobs like we had are going the way to extinction. We keep going and NOTHING will be any longer manufactured in the USA!! You more than likely as I did worked at the same place for 30+ years. Did you know kids that start to work now in their lifetime will not just change jobs but professions at least 7 times. They have to because of companies closing, etc. Look at the fortune 500 companies when we started in the work place. Most everyone of them is not on the the list any longer they do not exist!!! If they do not exist where do we earn all those awesome benefits and how does the Union get them for use then? You have to have a job first the last time I checked for the most part.



Unions when started was to improve wages and work conditions did an excellent job without doubt. Having been in Unions, not in Unions, Union Stewart, and other Union offices think Unions was a necessity. I am sorry I think perhaps at this point Unions maybe cutting of its nose despite it face!!!



I think talking about Unions is like talking about religion or politics it will only cause hurt feelings and a lot of arguing. Lets all get back on topic "MOOG prices" and unfortunately for that I have no useful input sorry to say. I am sure I will get flamed for the above comments and I will not respond as it is not worth arguing about. I have argued for years with my Dad about Union and Non-Union and it is a no win. I respect your opinion and will fight to the death so you are allowed to give it and that should be enough on the subject.

Why would you want multi billion dollar companies make more money? I am a firm believer that the money should go to the workers and NOT the companies. Who do you think is going to end up paying for the big bailout, US!

I still buy american products, even though foreign stuff is cheaper, I like to think that my money stays in America instead of going to some foreign country that doesnt give a crud about America. I AM A PROUD AMERICAN!!!



As for the working man not getting a raise, dont know because I get one EVERY YEAR includind a very nice pention, 401k that the employer matchs and includes $1 for every hour I work into a seperate fund, GREAT insurance and heath benefits and I also get to work for 600+ contractors and I dont have to haggle or beg for anything. My overall package I make hourly is $100+ per hour. I get $43 on my check hourly, get time and a half after 8 hours and on Sat. and get paid double time on big holidays and Sundays.

I have made 6 figures for the last 5 years and have never had a problem getting a job.

AND YES I AM UNION AND PROUD TO BE!!!



Union membership is up nationwide because of all the office jobs laying off and companies going overseas.

It has given me and my family a wonderful life, a beautiful house, nice vacations and everything else I own.



Who do you think gave America health benefits? UNIONS

Who do you think made the 40 hour work week? UNIONS

Who do you think made health standards in America? UNIONS



I think you need to read up more about UNIONS, or made go to you horse shoeing school:-laf

 

[WilsonF]

Yes some like unions and some don't there are good and bad reasons for both. You are not going to change anyone's mind in this little space. Lets just get back to the original subject.

Floyd