Technical Better? I am confused

I've done a lot of finding the part number on Rock auto and searching that number on Ebay looking for old stock sold by people who buy out warehouse lots but don't spend a lot of time searching out what it fits.
Usually you see brand, part number an a very brief description. Hit or miss but I picked up the pieces for my 3/4 ton real good prices and it's all older pieces.

 

I buy new parts from the 90's (or older) on eBay. But you might have to wait awhile to find them, I start early collecting parts and rebuild when I have them all. Most of the old stuff will say "made in the USA" if it is.

 

Try N.B.Pease & Co. in Palmer, Mass. 1-413-283-7620. Nelson, the owner, specializes in mechanical parts. He has an extensive inventory of NOS, and NORS parts available.

 

the problem I would find with the bay is if the chinny can make a part that that mimics a brand name part.what makes you think they can not mimic the packaging also?now that I raised that possibility let the paranoia begin

 

Because there's not that much of a market for old car NORS parts. They can make MUCH more money just selling regular parts for newer cars at cheaper prices.

 

Well, RockAuto lists Proforged in the heavy duty column and no other brands ? Opinions ? Thanks .

 

The last few years most of my front end parts have come from O'reilly auto parts. They generally offer 3 levels, cheap master line (junk), high level O'reilly/master, or Moog. More then a few times the high level O'reilly parts looks exactly like the more price Moog and both parts are USA made. I've not been disappointed with the O'reilly high level parts yet. Gene

 

My Dakota ate two sets of factory ball joints, and one set of Moogs. Went with NAPA “best”, lifetime warranty. Those are holding up nicely. Truck is stock, 170K miles, not abused, but driven in all weather conditions in northern Illinois where the roads are heavily salted in the winter and everything rusts.



Sent from my iPad using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

Kinda like AZ gold?, etc.

Used to love my NAPA, now I have to tell them what I want.

Yes, newer NAPA counter guys have to ask if you car has AC, etc...

 

I totally agree. The O’Reilly manager is a sharp car guy and Knechts people are pretty spot on . Only two places they don’t give a “what’s that” look. Knechts feels like an old time speed shop where they have carb studs and header gaskets hanging on the peg board . You hardly see that anymore.

 

Thanks everyone for your help. Much appreciated

 

I´ve always had goodluck with Moog. 4 years and 43700 miles ago I rebuilt the frontend on my DD 55 Chevy using all MOOG suspension parts from rockauto.All but the wheel bearings, they were the stock ballbearing type and not availible from Moog, so I bough Nationals. They failed on me every 2000 miles or almost once a month- their part number is B-40 and the have a plastic cage to keep the balls apart... after a while I switched to roller type bearing hubs from a 62 Impala. The rest of the suspension is untouched and still as tight as it was 4 years ago.
My 56 Chevy has all Moog suspenion parts aswell and has about 20k miles after the rebuild in 2004. Of course all the balljoints are still good after only 20k miles but the rubber A-arm bushings are still perfect too. But I have to say, I have a habit of spraying rubber parts with Ballistol oil maybe once a year or whenever I´m under the car and think of it . It´s said to keep rubbers smooth and prefents them from drying out. And their plant is just around the corner from me, haha

 

I bet not too many oil their boot. Great tip and thanks .

 

Moog has a cheap line and a premium line of parts.
I rebuilt a front a couple years back and tried to buy USA stuff. I bought A arm shafts, 2 from moog that we’re made overseas and 2 from autozone that were USA.
It’s a crap shoot on origin.
I have a commercial account at autozone and our local store had a great parts lady. I will bring her part numbers from the brands I want and she usually can get them.
The best advice I can give is build a relationship with a parts store and use them as often as possible.
I also will google the part number. Amazon, Walmart, eBay along with several other places will come up. A lot of times one will list a country of origin.

 

Here is an interesting link about Ballistol .
https://ballistol.de/shop/en/ballistol-story-english

 

Thanks. The National bearings I am seeing are steel cage.

 

Usually they are. But give it a try and buy a B40 inner front wheel beraing for a Tri 5 Chevy, and they will have a plastic cage...no kidding. That´s what they looked like after 2000 miles. The plastice cage was worn away and the balls were going everywhere...


PS: Never had a problem with the outer bearings. But they did have a steel cage.

 

Pretty much anything you buy is off shore. I like Federal mogul or moog. I think they are the same family.

 

Probably.

 

Just WOW!!!!

 

We use nothing but Napa's best at work for our school bus fleet. Never had a single problem with any of them. We have been using NAPA for more then 15 years.

 

TRW as well. I ran across a box of control arm bushings from my racing days, McQuay-Norris. As I recall they had quality products.