Duralast Gold Tie Rod ends?

So I picked up some new Duralast Gold tie rod ends for an upcoming lift install since I would be in there already and paying for the alignment anyhow. Not to mention the truck has about 120k on the clock.

Anyhow, I thought these looked great -- they have grease zerks and generally seem to be manufactured well. But a few things have me slightly concerned upon closer inspection.

1. These have roughly the same newer boot shape/style as the Moogs, which it seems like I have seen a lot of negative reviews on lately. Any thoughts on this vs the standard accordion style boot?



2. There are what seems like manufactured grease overflow slits in the boot itself (pictured somewhere in this post). Never seen this before, but It seems like this would just let dirt in over time and push out grease anytime the joint articulated.



Am I crazy/thinking about it too much? Or does this seem strange to anyone else? Just don't want to be back replacing these in 6 months because of a design flaw.

Any input is welcome, thanks!

 

Thanks for the recommendation! Yeah I'm not worried about saving 10-20 bucks but would like to have a greasable option. OEM is good if your just daily driving for the most part, but I live in the mountains and this truck sees a lot of miles on rocky dirt forest roads. So nice to be able to push out the old grease each season. I did look at the Centric, but they honestly look even more budget then the Duralast.

I'm leaning toward these Mevotech Supremes, as they seem to have good reviews on a few other off-road forums. Looks like a traditional boot design and greasable.

 

Isn’t there a good warranty on it tho? Outer tie rods are a 5 minute deal. Could just keep exchanging for new ones if there’s ever a problem

 

This is true, they said they could be replaced anytime and any Autobone. Which is why I went with them in the first place as an easy replacement option.

 

I would put those on my truck and not have a single worry.

 

Slits are for excess grease from zerk fitting.

That stated, if oems have lasted 120k miles, id be going that route.

 

Thank you for the clarification and good to know! As far as OEM, I reckon that's a pretty great point you make there.

 

Wouldn't you want an alignment check?

 

No, paint the threads, off with the old, thread new one to paint mark

 

I've never seen an aftermarket joint with a shitty grease seal and zerk last longer than a sealed oem

 

So for 120k miles you haven’t had to worry about maintenance on oem tie rod ends, so you want to replace them with some that have to be maintained to last, hmmmm?! I know what I’m buying.

 

I mean, that's the entire point of me creating this thread -- to seek and gain knowledge as to why I would or wouldn't go with these vs OEM. As well as why these would have the manufacturing difference, or any advantages, etc.

Honestly I may not even replace them this go around if I get in there and the boots are in good condition. It's not a hard job to come back to after all.