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Beware of Mexican MOOG Lower Control Arm Bushings for 61- 69 Cadillac

Started by P. Manoogian, October 04, 2017, 08:35:35 AM

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P. Manoogian

Generally speaking I go out of my way to buy USA Made suspension parts for the Cadillacs I own and service for others. I can usually find NOS USA Made on E Bay, however, I was only able to find one K5155 "old USA Made stock" so I bought a NEW Mexican Made K5155 from Rock Auto. The NOS one installed correctly with the proper diameters matching the openings in the lower control arm.


The Mexican MOOG one did not have the correct diameter on one end and was therefore not tight on that end. Upon calling MOOG tech line they explained that they were "aware of this problem" but would not recall them. When I asked what they suggested they had no answer. When asked if they planned to recall these as defective they said "recalls are only for safety issues." Needless to say Rock Auto took it back and I was able to get another USA Made one from Then and Now in Weymouth MA.


I am passing this on because many 61 - 69 Cadillacs need these bushings and EBay and Rock Auto are flooded with MOOG and other brands. If you are planning on rebuilding your front end try to get NOS USA Made parts.
1961 Eldorado - Shell Pearl/Mauve
1962 Corvette 327 - 250 HP Automatic Triple Black
1963 Impala SS Convertible - 283 Automatic Black Red Gut White Top
1965 Impala SS Coupe  - 502 Turbo 400 - Crocus Yellow
1974 Corvette L84 4spd Coupe - White / Black Leather

cadillacmike68

I just had about 3 pairs of Moog K246 upper A-arm bushings bad out of the box. Not sure of the country of origin, I'll have to check. There are also flood damaged parts sitting out there now...
Regards,
"Cadillac" Mike

P. Manoogian

K246 fits what years? I know on the 61 - 69 they had two - 1 7/16" and 1 1/2". Did you order the wrong diameter?
1961 Eldorado - Shell Pearl/Mauve
1962 Corvette 327 - 250 HP Automatic Triple Black
1963 Impala SS Convertible - 283 Automatic Black Red Gut White Top
1965 Impala SS Coupe  - 502 Turbo 400 - Crocus Yellow
1974 Corvette L84 4spd Coupe - White / Black Leather

cadillacmike68

Quote from: P. Manoogian on October 04, 2017, 12:36:53 PM
K246 fits what years? I know on the 61 - 69 they had two - 1 7/16" and 1 1/2". Did you order the wrong diameter?

Mine is a 1968, 1 & 1/2 in. I had them measured before buying them. I think the ones I got were partially rusted from storage.  I have no idea why they used two different sizes, maybe the larger ones for Climate Control equipped cars??? In 1970 they changed the shaft to a straight shaft. The Moog K5187 ( 1 & 7/16) lists as fitting all the way thru 1976, the the K246 (1.5") only lists to 1968.

Whatever, I now have mine noted as the 1.5in ones.

But then again I bought upper bushings, you replaced the lower bushings which went from 1961-69.
Regards,
"Cadillac" Mike

P. Manoogian

The 67 I am doing the front end on had 1.5" on the right and 1 7\16" on the left. I bought 4 NOS Moog 1.5" bushings based on what was on the r.h. side. When I saw the LH side was 1 7\16" I decided to use another control arm from a 45,000 mile 63 I parted out which had 1.5" bushings. It's always a challenge to source the right parts for these old Cadillacs.
1961 Eldorado - Shell Pearl/Mauve
1962 Corvette 327 - 250 HP Automatic Triple Black
1963 Impala SS Convertible - 283 Automatic Black Red Gut White Top
1965 Impala SS Coupe  - 502 Turbo 400 - Crocus Yellow
1974 Corvette L84 4spd Coupe - White / Black Leather