Tie Rod Ends

[benm697]

So I am installing new outer tie rod ends on my 97 2wd ranger, and the rubber boot on one of them ripped after a day of usage. I just exchanged it for a new part and have installed it but I am worried I put too much grease in it. Is there away of knowing if I put too much grease in it? What could of caused my original boot to rip so quickly? The other tie rod end is perfectly fine after I replaced it and has been fine for around 2 weeks. Did I just receive a defective part or could something else be wrong?

Thanks.

 

[Tedybear]

So I am installing new outer tie rod ends on my 97 2wd ranger, and the rubber boot on one of them ripped after a day of usage. I just exchanged it for a new part and have installed it but I am worried I put too much grease in it. Is there away of knowing if I put too much grease in it? What could of caused my original boot to rip so quickly? The other tie rod end is perfectly fine after I replaced it and has been fine for around 2 weeks. Did I just receive a defective part or could something else be wrong?

Thanks.

If the rubber boot is built like an umbrella and slips over the end with the threads, you really can't over grease it. The grease will ooooozzzz out between the umbrella seal and joint. Good rule of thumb for greasing stuff: Slap grease into the fitting until you see the boot move and ever so slightly inflate. That's all it will need. I've seen people put toooooo much grease into ball joints and explode the boot. Makes a heck of a mess. Is the joint trashed? Not at all. Just messy, and will need to be greased a bit more often to ensure any debris is removed....

Of course that's just how I do things....

S-