Steering Noise Greasing

I have the same problem as many others with the noise from the steering. I read that I should use a needle attachment to get grease into the tie-rod ends. I have the attachment, but am unsure how to get it into the boot. Do I pry up the boot edge, or poke a hole in to it...

Thanks,

I have (had) the same problem. I have a 2000 SE with 77k on it. I had grunting, screaching kind of noise when turn to the left either at a stand still or slightly rolling forward while turning. I read up on the message boards and talked to other people about it and all signs lead to both the driver's side inner and outer tie rod. I took my wife's (nurse) stethoscope and actually had her turn the wheel to make the noise while I was somewhat under the front end of the car and I placed the stethoscope on the tie rod itself and sure enough the noise was definately coming from the drivers side tie rod. Anyway, to shorten this post, yesterday, 12/19, I went to Advance auto parts and bought both the inner and outer tie rod for the drivers side. I spent about 20 minutes getting the old one off and less then an hour getting the new one on, making sure to keep the new one the same size as the old one. If not it will throw your toe out on your alignment. Total costs about $46. Now it is very quiet and no noise at all. As far as your "greasing" the old one, I would not recommend it as it is only a bandaid. For $46 and less than 2 hours, do it right. Replace it and then you want have to grease it again in 5-10k . If you insist on greasing it, use a small needle and poke it through the rubber ends as it will seal itself when you remove it. Again, I wouldn't recommend it. Replace it instead.

When I replaced my steering rack, I replaced the tie rod ends as well. The new ones actually had grease zerks on them, meaning no grease needle is necessary. Just grease as normal, which is how it should have come from the factory...

Just insert the grease needle into the boot and pump in about two squirts, it will fill quickly. Myself and many others on these forums have done this with success but only if you are having just noise with no other issues such as play in the steering. In the past other posters have switched to greasable tie-rod ends but they actually didn't last as long as the original OEM sealed tie-rod ends.

I have also used the grease needle to lube the tie rod ends and lower ball joint.
I did it as a preventative maintenence action, before any noise or seizing. I recommend doing it if you do not have grease fittings, and want to hang on to your vehicle and prevent failure of these items. I would do as stated, poke the needle into the boot. Do not overgrease.

This is NOT a fix for damaged tie rod ends that have already gotten extra play in them.