I am currently restoring the steering rack and I have a question about setting track-rod ball-joint tension.
As mentioned here years ago, the manuals state:
"Attach a spring balance to the outer ball joint (track-rod end) and adjust the ball housing until the tie rod will articulate under a load of 7 lbs. (3.18 Kg) applied at the spring balance. Fully tighten the housing locknut and secure in position by bending the tabs of the washer. Apply a generous coating of grease to the ball housings."
Grease being invoked in the last step of the process, I suppose that the adjustment of the ball housing should be made dry, i.e. with no grease?
It is a bit strange to me as 3.18 kg force reduces to almost nothing when grease is applied, so the track-rod (aka as tie-rod) articulales almost freely then.
Thanks for your thoughts.