Can someone shed light on this?

[black_sheep]

This is actually about my Dodge (06 Dakota). I had to buy a new tie rod end yesterday because my passenger side one is toast (3rd one in 3 yrs, 2nd on that side, awesome front end here). Instead of ordering online though, which I did a month or 2 ago off of Amazon when the drivers side one went, I wanted to replace it this weekend so I went the the local Schucks.

Oddly, though, the one I bought at Schucks is sealed but the Amazon one was greasable? Both are Moog, same part numbers, same UPC's, just one is greasable, one isn't. I asked the guy at Schucks about it and got 'It's got the same part number. Do you want it or not?' Always helpful. All the pictures on Amazon, RockAuto, Schuck's site show (at least now) a sealed unit. I've heard that Moog has both but I figured it'd be a different part number.

So, any way to know and get a greasable one if I took this back? Or should I just install it and go?

 

[kunar]

they may have changed over time, i know you said its only been a couple months since you bought the last one, but it could have been sitting for a year or more before you bought it. as for sealed vs greasable, its personal preference. generally i tend to forget to grease fittings when i should, so i try to get sealed when i can.

 

[Original_Ranger84]

Yeah companies tend to start changing out parts over time, they start shaving off metal that isn't needed... remove the greaseable bearing parts.... ect. to keep cost down for them. or because its a better design. I know motorcraft recently changed the oil filters for the 3.0L. They used to be long and somewhat skinny and now they are shorter and slightly wider.

AS for taking it back for a greasable one... I wouldn't, being a dodge they like to eat up front end parts no matter what and chances are the greasable part would only give you another month or so of life.

 

[adsm08]

If you want to get rid of the front end problems, get rid of the MOPAR.


Seriously, a Chrysler Corp product that doesn't tear up front end parts is like a South African hooker without AIDS. You find them, but rarely.

 

[black_sheep]

Haha, I think my uncle smuggled the only two out of Africa then, his Dakota and 2500 never seem to have problems. His Dakota's steering is perfectly tight, let me know how out of whack my was. Though I didn't realize it was so widespread, the Dodge forums make it look like it's only this gen of Dakota that got a crappy front-end.

All the problems (plus the trannies been worrying me lately) have been making me contemplate getting rid of it, but I'm waiting til the Ranger is drivable again to make that decision, want a pickup around at all times. And I had thought of them changing to sealed, didn't consider the warehouse sit though since I had bought the other so close...

 

[Original_Ranger84]

Well atleast in Alaska the shops either have Chevy or Dodge vehicles in for front end parts. Mostly dodges, and the chevy's are usually in for in tank fuel pumps and stuff.

 

[adsm08]

I work at a Ford dealer, but we run an insane number of used cars through there too. After about a month I stopped checking MOPARs for front end issues. I just put down that any rear-wheel drive one needs 4 ball joints. No body questions it.