If the new tie rod ends came with grease fittings, it sounds like he didn't grease them when he installed them. If they have fittings, they should be greased from time to time, but I would not think that they would need it as often as every 3,000 miles. Usually once a year or 10,000 to 15,000 miles is enough. They do need to be greased when installed though. If they were properly greased when installed, I would expect them to last longer than 30,000 miles. Mine are still the original ones and they are still tight. I have 130,000 miles.
