Technical Do I grease "greaseless" tie rod ends?

I just acquired two sets of NOS tie rod ends for my 60's vintage car. Old timers remember the early "greaseless" fittings... these do not have grease nipples on them and are supposed to be "lubricated for life". Looking inside the boots, they are about as dry as an Arizona dessert. If I put them in can I use an injector needle on my grease gun and pump grease into the boots? Any other suggestions. A few friends said not to use grease as they had nylon inside. Thanks gang!

 

btt

 

I do know grease eats nylon ..
destroyed my nylon lawn mower bushings..

 

Yup. Grease less means................ no grease. The nylon isn't going to feel "slippery" like it has a lubricant. The chemical make up of the nylon is what let's it work.

I had a "smart assed" remark, but I'm tired.

 

I did not see any nylon in the tie rod ends, just said that one of my friends said you shouldn't grease nylon. the question is.. what materials did they use in "lifetime lubricated" tie rod ends back in 1969-70 and should they be greased?

 

Whenever I put tie rods ends on a car they will have grease zerks. I'm not replacing any with those "greaseless" type. Why waste your time? I want to be able to give them a shot at least every spring.

 

Yeaaaaa!!! Use ends you can GREASE!!! DOE!!!!

 

People own lawnmowers in Arizona?

 

Will the grease go where you think it needs to go, that is with no grease nipple it won't spread throughout the tie rod end/ balljoint.
What about a squirt of some kind of lubricant - gibbs brand or wd40 ??????
Although, as others have said it doesnt need to be lubricated.

 

Great idea Mikey and if I could get a set of greaseable tie rod ends that would fit, I would do it... but the reason I posted the question is that I do not have that choice, I have to use what is available.

 

Again, as I mentioned to Mikey, this is a unique car and the only tie rod ends available are lubricated for life.

 

Then you should be good to go.
Answer to original 'title' question - No.

 

If they are lubed for life then why do they need to be replaced?

 

I have Chrysler Polara and every joint has a grease fitting and I keep them greased. Grease is your friend. Bruce.

 

I've, on more than one occasion, drilled joints for grease fittings. Done on high mileage OT cars that were squeaking etc. Not saying every joint wants grease but it's worked for me.

 

I worked at a Ford dealership and replaced many steering linkage parts. Greased for life, means the parts life, not our life.

 

It'll love my grease? It'll not love my grease?

 

If it is lubricated for life then they are good. Even the day they were made they probably looked dry if thats how greaseless joints are right?
Why would you grease something that says not to? Probably doesn't have the zerk so you don't do it
just sayin

 

I've wondered this too, where do you drill n tap em?

 

I remember in the early 60s when car mfg replaced jerks with plugs and bragged about 30,000 mile service intervals. At 30,000 you removed the plugs and put in fittings it saved them a few cents per car.