Installing Grease Fittings?

[TexasLS1]

So this is a kindergarten-level question, but it's my first time replacing steering parts and therefore putting the new grease zerks on joints/tie rods. None of them are tightening very easily for me- in fact they're not even threading in. Am I supposed to be tapping threads before installing the fittings, or just forcing them in? I just hate the thought of screwing up new Moog parts that I just painted...

[andrewmp6]

Look up in the hole you should see threats on them.

[TexasLS1]

That's what I was afraid of - I don't see threads in any tie rods or ball joints. The only part with threads cut is the idler arm.

[TexasLS1]

I'll have to get some taps at work tomorrow, it wont be to hard to tap them. Just gotta keep the shavings out. Thought it was weird that almost all of the Moog parts wouldn't have been tapped already. Thanks for your input!

[andrewmp6]

I haven't seen them not have threads in them but i haven't installed any in a while.

[SCOTI]

They should be threaded.

I just went through all the parts installed on my square-body CC dually (all Moog brand). Upper/lower BJ's, inner/outer tie-rod ends, a-arm bushings, & steering link parts all took the Zerk fittings. Some went right in. Others took more effort but still went in. None required tapping.

[TexasLS1]

Ok, I'm probably just being a sissy. I just didn't want to strip any out or break a fitting by forcing it. Thought it was weird, though, that not a single fitting would start in any of the holes (other than the idler which was threaded). Thanks for chiming in guys.

[donandal]

I just recently bought some moog ball joints.

one was properly threaded for the grease fitting, the other was
not.

took it back and next one was OK,.... properly threaded , so maybe
a bad batch?

[oldman3]

Lately all the fitting I've been buying are the type 6 self tapping, maybe that's what they sent you. Tried to load a file but can't get it to load...Jim

[69gmcc10]

I did the tie-rod ends on my 03 silverado last fall and none of the joints had threads for the zerks to go into. I just assumed they were self tapping because the zerks had a tapered threads and I screwed them in.

[BigMike]

I just redid my front end a few months ago with all Moog parts and none were threaded. I assumed they were self threaded and just pushed down on them to get them started and tightened away. I got a little over zealous on one and broke it off, but I had other fittings and just put in a new one.

[TexasLS1]

I was really worried about breaking them. I forced one (I'm surprised it didn't break!), but got a tap and tapped all the other holes. Now I've got them all painted and and reassembled to start putting the front end back together - just gotta finish painting my control arms. Can't wait for the first drive with the drop and all new parts

[andrewmp6]

We want pictures when your done.