Moog - I've lost confidence
Well, I want to believe Moog is still a cut above and this was just an errant defect. Accordingly I have a replacement on the way with 1-day shipping (getting this stuff from RockAuto). Fingers crossed I can beat the forecast rain, ending of one of the longest dry stretches in my memory here in the Pacific Northwest.
Meanwhile I must admit to Posting While Pissed in starting this thread. More to be revealed...