Correct Tie Rods

[427yenko]

I am trying to determine the factory correct appearance tie rod for 1969 Camaro and am seeing some conflicting information from Ricks compared to Heartbeat City. Ricks shows an inner tie rod as being "show correct" with their part number 33-180084-1 and having the grease fitting at the very end of the rod on the rough cast surface. Heartbeat City shows their part number FEP-1086 with the fitting on the center of the flat steel surface as you typically see, and states that this is "exact as original" and "correct in appearance". Who is correct? I have some NOS inner rods with part number 3978049 group 6.233. These have the fitting on the cast surface. Would these be factory original? Also would the outer rods match the inners in terms of grease fitting location?
Thanks.
Bob

[Lynn]

I have the original tie rods from my 69 Z in a box somewhere.

If no one comes up with a definitive answer, I can go dig them out later this week.

[427yenko]

Much appreciated.

[HawkX66]

Here's a few pics of my originals:

https://live.staticflickr.com/5585/31118845630_b97337a61e_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/PpSdDd)IMG_20150705_100736 (https://flic.kr/p/PpSdDd) by Dave H (https://www.flickr.com/photos/146684464@N06/), on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/5485/31343578642_0bddcd2e2e_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/PKJ2Wj)IMG_20150705_100731 (https://flic.kr/p/PKJ2Wj) by Dave H (https://www.flickr.com/photos/146684464@N06/), on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/5557/31343577842_ebd0abbbb8_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/PKJ2Gw)IMG_20150705_100720 (https://flic.kr/p/PKJ2Gw) by Dave H (https://www.flickr.com/photos/146684464@N06/), on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/5602/30648919874_d89d1a193b_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/NGkJ61)IMG_20150705_100715 (https://flic.kr/p/NGkJ61) by Dave H (https://www.flickr.com/photos/146684464@N06/), on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/5574/31452590406_33e9c43eac_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/PVmKku)IMG_20150705_100652 (https://flic.kr/p/PVmKku) by Dave H (https://www.flickr.com/photos/146684464@N06/), on Flickr

[427yenko]

Thanks Dave,
I guess that makes one vote for the grease fitting to not be on the cast surface. Is your car an early or late build, and I wonder if there may have been a change during the production year? My car is a late '69 build. Do you happen to know what the part number is on the boot?
Thanks again Dave!
Bob

[x33rs]

Our 69 Z still has it's original inner and outer tie rods intact. Both ends have the grease fittings in the flat steel portion of the tie rods. It's a 12D Norwood build.

[WorkinProgress]

All '69 Camaro's whether early or late build have the grease fitting directly under the stud.

- Warren

[427yenko]

And that is what the AIM shows as well. Somewhere along the line I thought I heard that they were on the end of the casting. Don't know where I heard that. I suspected that may not be correct based on the AIM, but then Rick's says that their rod is assembly line correct and it is on the casting end. There are so many misrepresentations with the parts houses it is hard to know what is what. Does anyone happen to know what the part number of the boot is?
Thanks again.

[Lynn]

GM didn't think about it in 69, but with the locking steering column, once the car was up in the air, the lube tech could not turn the wheels from underneath to get the clearance needed to get the grease gun on the zerk.

That is why the zerk in the side came along a few years later. Otherwise, one had to remember to leave the key partially on so the steering column would not be locked after the car was in the air.

[HawkX66]

Thanks Dave,
I guess that makes one vote for the grease fitting to not be on the cast surface. Is your car an early or late build, and I wonder if there may have been a change during the production year? My car is a late '69 build. Do you happen to know what the part number is on the boot?
Thanks again Dave!
Bob
You're welcome Bob. My car is late August 69. Sorry, I don't know off hand what the part number is on the boot.

[Flying Undertaker]

GM didn't think about it in 69, but with the locking steering column, once the car was up in the air, the lube tech could not turn the wheels from underneath to get the clearance needed to get the grease gun on the zerk.

That is why the zerk in the side came along a few years later. Otherwise, one had to remember to leave the key partially on so the steering column would not be locked after the car was in the air.

I think that maybe when they moved the steering linkage from behind the subframe crossmember (rear steer) to in front of the crossmember (front steer) that the change was made. They did the same for the '68-'72 Chevelles/Monte Carlos. Clearance issues.