"Vic Smith" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 11 Jul 2009 19:41:43 -0400, "Eisboch"
wrote:


My son-in-law who had a tie rod separate at 30K miles on a 2001 model
didn't think so.
"Permanently lubricated" is the claim. A simple zerk fitting would
probably make it last for 100k miles.

What car? Probably just a defective end.
You might feel them if they loosen up, but modern suspensions
are pretty buffered from transmitting that.
Best way is an occasional trip to a rack where a front end man can
muscle stuff around to look for wear.
I always have my kid check my cars out for that before going on a
trip.
I've heard of guys drilling ball joints and tie rod ends then using
these.
(It's a sel-tapping zerk.)
https://www.fastenal.com/web/product...l.ex?sku=58790

Wouldn't consider it myself. Aside from keeping shavings out, it's
just not necessary.

--Vic

Believe it or not, I remember when the manufacturers started getting away
from supplying zerk fittings in the front end components. The first couple
of years, the tapped hole still existed, but it was plugged with a machine
bolt. If you were so inclined, you could remove the bolt and install your
own zerks.

That lasted a couple of years until they supplied the tie rods, etc. without
the tapped holes.

Eisboch