Grease inner tie rod ends?

[buck91]

Looking at some replacement inner tie rod ends and they appear to have a grease port WITHOUT a zerk fitting. Can/should they be greased in some way prior to install? They are MOOG EV800457. Please no debate on what is better as I already have these on my spares shelf.

 

[ripcord]

Almost certainly, you would get a zerk fitting included in the package with that part. They normally don't install them from the factory and just throw a little baggy with the fitting in the box with the part.

Edit: I looked under my Expedition and saw that this tie rod is covered with a rubber boot, so I take back my earlier statement. I bet it does not come with a zerk in this case.

 

[rijndael]

It's going to be under the boot anyway; I've never seen nor read a requirement to pull back the boot to re-grease a tie rod.

 

[buck91]

Yeah, typically these don’t require periodic maintenance but I’m just wondering about before installl. Maybe it’s unnecessary but I do wonder if it is a good idea. Any off that port could be used.

 

[nobb]

I would have thought most modern inner tie rods to have a PTFE seat, so if it's that self lubricating design then additional grease should not be necessary. However with Moog being Moog, they still insist on a metal to metal seat and if that's how it's built then yes it probably should be flushed with some grease.

 

[50yr Street Mech]

I would try and get some grease in there prior to installation. Can't hurt. That little hole is not going to accept a zerk fitting, and I wouldn't mess with it either. Throughout my years, I've never greased inner tie rods.

 

[ripcord]

If it is a non-greasable unit, I would NOT try to add additional grease. There's no telling what kind of grease was used at the factory and adding an incompatible type of grease to it will result in a very short lifespan.

 

[The_Jeff]

If you had a zerk in there it would inevitably catch on something like the tool you use to install it, or the boot that covers it. The boot makes periodic greasing impractical anyway. I wouldn't overthink this-- install it as is.