Moog outer tie rod VS OEM for a 1990-1996 Infiniti Q45

[Infinitiguy19]

The OEM tie outer tie rod is ~$70 to my door where as a Moog outer tie rod (With cotter pin and bolt) is $33.13 to my door. I know Qship96 and Owner CS went with Moog sway bar links... Should I save money or go OEM?

[OwnerCS]

Paul - Does the MOOG part come with a grease fitting?

I can't remember if it was about a Maxima or Q45 where I saw a MOOG part had the grease fitting vs. OEM without.. Of course the OEM are lifetime greased.

I've seen a lot of good comments about MOOG tie rods on Maxima forums.. Though I don't recall seeing anything here.

The MOOG end links look good to me..

Things I consider when venturing away from OEM parts:

1) Ease (or difficulty) in replacement if it fails.

2) Warranty

3) Price

For example, I'm not going to buy an OEM battery because a non-OEM wins on all three.

[qship96]

Run with it, at worst it only lasts a few years and you are out the thirty bucks,but I think you will find the Moog to be of comparable quality to the oem part- maybe even made in Japan like the sway bar links.

[Infinitiguy19]

Paul - Does the MOOG part come with a grease fitting?

I can't remember if it was about a Maxima or Q45 where I saw a MOOG part had the grease fitting vs. OEM without.. Of course the OEM are lifetime greased.

I've seen a lot of good comments about MOOG tie rods on Maxima forums.. Though I don't recall seeing anything here.

The MOOG end links look good to me..

Things I consider when venturing away from OEM parts:

1) Ease (or difficulty) in replacement if it fails.

2) Warranty

3) Price

For example, I'm not going to buy an OEM battery becaue a non-OEM wins on all three.

I do not think the Moog outer tie rod has grease fittings, nor does their inner tie rod. Texas Oil did make a post about drilling and installing grease fittings. I will look into that with my spare rack that I have. Oh and for all of you that think the Q45 steering rack never gets dirty, Think again!!! Pictures will follow I promise.

I just want a OEM battery because it has the Infiniti logo!

Run with it, at worst it only lasts a few years and you are out the thirty bucks,but I think you will find the Moog to be of comparable quality to the oem part- maybe even made in Japan like the sway bar links.

Very true.

[elwesso]

Yeah and the way you look at it, at worst if they last half as long as OEM you're still ahead of the game, assuming free labor.. Only thing that sucks about tie rod replacement is you SHOULD get an alignment afterwards.

[qship96]

Any feedback on the Moog outer tie rod ends? I just had my trusted buddy Frank Hill change my oil and pointed out that I need to replace mine as the right side had some play {not bad as they are original and have 294,000 miles on them},along with prematurely worn rear brake pads on one side only......found pins were dry and re-greased them.

I ordered the Moog tie rod ends for under $56/pair delivered and Akebono Pro-act588 rear ceramic pads,$45 delivered, both from Amazon.Seems like a great deal on both.

[bruce2]

I replaced mine a few weeks ago and can't tell if anything bad about it. The quality is excellent from Japan. there is not a grease fitting on it. I got them from here: http://www.ebay.com/itm/260861921483?ss ... 1497.l2649

[elwesso]

Let us know how it goes qship and bruce!

[IThaJ0kaI]

I run moogs on every car, my daily G50 has moogs on it. They are the best aftermarket tie rods available(stock replacements) I have never had an issue with them, even on my s13 drift car.

[qship96]

Good to hear! Funny,Amazon says the Moog ES-3404 tie rods will NOT fit the 90-96 q45,yet according to Moogs website, it is the correct part number! Time will tell!

[IThaJ0kaI]

Ball joints and tie rods from 90-96 300zx are the same part number, so you can just order it for a 300zx and be fine.

[qship96]

order already placed.

[OwnerCS]

I replaced the inner and outer tie rod ends with Moog when the outer tie rod was found bent. Also, I'm running Moog anti-sway bar end links and Moog Power Steering rack boots. While not a lot of miles on any Moog component, no issues to date.

[qship96]

I replaced the inner and outer tie rod ends with Moog when the outer tie rod was found bent. Also, I'm running Moog anti-sway bar end links and Moog Power Steering rack boots. While not a lot of miles on any Moog component, no issues to date.

can you confirm the Moog es-3404 is the correct part number for the Q outer tie rod end?

[OwnerCS]

Part Number ES3404 - $48.99 at Advance.

[Infinitiguy19]

Sorry I never updated this topic.

I did replace the INNER tie rod because it was bent, Long story. The Moog inner tie rod and OEM inner tie rods are virtually identical. The only difference is the plating on the special lock washer. To this day I have no play when the wheel is moved left to right (Shaking the wheels off the ground by hand on the tire.)

I did have to buy a special tool used only once so far to replace the tie rod. I am willing to lend it out for the cost of shipping. This tool is only required if you care about the proper torque spec.