DeTomaso Mailing List: January 2001, Message #139

I'm about to put my tie rod ends back on my steering rack, and I have
 a few questions...

In looking at the ball with the boot removed, I see a channel on
either side of the ball, currently with a piece of plastic or rubber
stuffed in them.
It looks like if I drill a zerk fitting in the back side, these two
channels
would allow the grease to flow around the ball.  This is contrary to what
I heard that these tie rods can not be lubed this way.
(I have "stock" tie rod ends as best as I can tell.)
Has anybody added a zerk fitting for lubing ?

Next:  The tie rod boots I just received (TRW Federal-Mogul #969206)
fit very poorly.  There is about an 1/8" gap where the base of the boot
would attach with the assembly, in the area where the stock boots have
that coil/spring ring that fits in the base groove.
There is also about an 1/8" gap between the boot where the shaft goes
through it.
It seems I could somehow glue/RTV/Seal the base of the boot to the
assembly...perhaps leaving an area "open", such that I could insert my
grease needle for lubing, if no zerk fitting were added at the bottom.
Does one just leave this 1/8" gap around the shaft ?

I've been told by Mike that these boots are one of the better types
available,
which is hard to believe considering how they fit.

Chuck Melton