Delphi TA5085 Steering Tie Rod End - Inner

OE-Style Inner Tie Rod End for Ford, Mazda, and Mercury

Delphi TA5085 is a straight inner steering tie rod end built for OE-style replacement on select Ford, Mercury, and Mazda applications. It is pre-greased, coated, and made with a high-strength steel housing to support precise steering response in daily driving conditions.

Fits 1991-1996 Ford Escort, inner; fits 1991-1996 Mercury Tracer, inner; fits 1990-1995 Mazda 323, inner; fits 1990-1994 Mazda Protege, inner.

Key Features

• Part number TA5085
• Inner steering tie rod end with straight design
• Pre-greased for service-ready installation
• High-strength steel housing with coated finish
• Adjustable construction for steering linkage setup
• Male end configuration with clockwise thread direction on both ends
• Mounting hardware included
• OE-focused dimensional and material analysis for fit consistency

Detailed Description

Delphi TA5085 is engineered as a standard replacement steering tie rod end for inner steering linkage service. The design uses a steel tie rod body, high-strength steel housing, and polyoxymethylene (POM) bearing material to support consistent movement and durability. Delphi validates its steering components through extreme temperature exposure and salt-spray testing, then applies OE-based dimensional and material analysis to help match the original part profile. This makes TA5085 a practical choice for Ford Escort, Mercury Tracer, Mazda 323, and Mazda Protege steering repairs where accurate inner tie rod geometry matters.

This part cross-references MOOG Chassis Products EV276 for the same application.

Common Repair Uses

• Loose or vague steering feel from worn inner tie rod joints
• Excessive play in the steering linkage
• Uneven tire wear caused by steering geometry wear
• Clunking or knocking from the inner steering assembly
• Restoring steering response on Ford Escort, Mercury Tracer, Mazda 323, and Mazda Protege models

Installation Notes and Tips

Verify thread direction, thread pitch, and overall length before installation. TA5085 is an inner tie rod end with male ends and clockwise thread direction on both sides, so matching the original steering linkage specification is important. After installation, perform a professional alignment to confirm toe settings and steering wheel centering. Inspect adjacent steering components for wear before returning the vehicle to service.

Quality Assurance

Delphi applies OE-focused testing to its steering portfolio, including temperature exposure below -40 degrees C and above 120 degrees C, plus 720 hours of salt-spray exposure. TA5085 is built to support OE-style fit and material consistency for the listed Ford, Mazda, and Mercury applications.