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Grease Fitting Question

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Matt42

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Do the OEM tie rod ends on a 1996-ish 4x4 use SAE or metric thread threaded grease fittings?
SAE 1/4-28? Metric 6mm? Some hybrid size?

After 26 years, I tried to replace a straight fitting with a 45 degree one. I have an assortment of SAE and metric fittings, but none of them would tighten adequately. I even compared fittings thread-to-thread, and the best of them wouldn't snug up. It was as if the thread pitch was OK, but the diameter was too small. (Yup, I bought them at HF.)

By now, I wouldn't be surprised if I have completely ruined the internal threads on the tie rod end. And of course, it's the long one.:(
 
Threads for grease fittings can be confusing. Most thread shanks are tapered (1.8°) whether they are metric or American standard pipe thread. However, there are parallel threaded fittings, as well.

Try finding a better quality fitting that has a longer tapered thread area than what you are using. Do your best at matching thread pitch and figuring out whether the fitting is metric or American standard pipe thread.

- John
 
Time to put a thread gunge in the toolbox. Very useful for these situations. HF not known for the best quality on their hardware type assortments. Good luck on the hunt!
 
I have several good thread gauges stored in really safe places. Anybody have suggestions on where to look for better quality grease fittings? Amazon is looking like a snipe hunt of HF-style stuff.

Milton brand, maybe? Amazon product ASIN B01B16RJ3M
 
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I don't imagine there's enough threads on a zerk to use thread gauge, at least, none I've seen. Hard to get a good measurement with only two or three threads.
 
I usually go to the nearest Napa store so I can at least look at the fittings. Then I buy some metric and American standard pipe thread ones.

- John
 
I usually go to the nearest Napa store so I can at least look at the fittings. Then I buy some metric and American standard pipe thread ones.

- John
Worth a try. I haven't been to the local NAPA store much since they closed their really excellent machine shop a decade ago.
 
Update: The grease fittings are 1/4"-28. I found them at Mark's Nutz-N-Bolts on the Phoenix west side. If you're local, you need to see this place to believe it. They have almost everything that has threads, and a lot of stuff that is related to stuff that has threads. Most bolts and screws are priced by the pound, but the exotics are by the piece. The really unusual and expensive products are behind the counter.

I was there to buy several pounds of bolts, but on a chance, I took a sample straight grease fitting with me. They had two of the 45 degree fittings I wanted, at 25 cents apiece.
 
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