I might be nit picking, but I've not done the tie rod ends before. I just bought some moog tie rod ends from rockauto., box says they're Japanese.

Two questions:

1.) The thread is cut off center into the shaft of the tie rod end. Is it supposed to be that way? Both tie rod ends have the thread cut off center, and not in an identical way. It seems odd that the hole into which the inner tie rod end goes, is off center in the shaft of the outer tie rod.

2.) Is grease dripping off one of the tie rods normal? Or is it supposed to be sealed in some way, and not dripping.

Other than this they look new.

 

Moog is a reputable brand for parts like these. Outer tie rods are supposed to be sealed and no rips or tears in the boot. Maybe you can post a picture

 

The one on the right has grease or oil leaking off the stud.

And as you can see the drill holes are noticeably off center.

Additional photos..

 

The oil or grease dripping off is thread sealer/grease which is used a lot on bolts so there is no stripping of the bolt due to people tightening small things with high power impact guns (idiots).

 

They look perfectly fine to me.
The casting is what's throwing your perspective off.
Install them, have the car aligned and be done with it.

 

+1... OP you're definitely nit picking (not telling you that in a bad way just telling you so you can realize that its all in your head)

 

Be sure to grease them after the install and from time to time.

 

One is really hard to move, the other not so much. We'll see. I don't like the off center machining.

The zerk fitting is nice... I wish I had one on the control arm ball joint.

 

Wow ive never seen anyone complain about moog....ik what to say aside from install and call it a day

 

Haha, that doesn't look like a valid complaint really. The oil that is on the threads is to keep it from rusting. That is most definitely not the grease inside of them...

As for the machined holes, it was stated above that they are cast parts and therefore isn't 100% perfect. The machined part is all that matters, and the thickness of the cast is already larger than factory so its better either way. There is no point in making those things look pretty!

Moog is excellent quality and you shouldn't have to question them...

 

Thanks for chiming in.

I don't have a problem with MOOG. I just don't do these types of repairs everyday, so I have nothing with which to compare the part I received. To me it looked suspect, but y'all set that straight.

There's a lot of knock offs on the internets.

Obviously online you can't inspect the parts before they arrive. So.. I ask the org for their collective knowledge.

This place is great.

 

I recently replaced my tie rod ends with MOOG. They looked identical to the ones in your pictures and work great.

A word to the wise - make sure you count the number of revolutions when you take the old one(s) off. I suggest writing it down. Each side will be a little bit different. It will make driving to the alignment shop easier and faster for the technican performing the alignment.

 

Leave the jam nut be so there is no need to count threads.

 

Its funny....when you describe the offcenter drilling etc in text it sounds awful. But once I saw the PICs I was like "That's nuthin" lol

It reads a lot worse than it looks.

DW