1- are the tie rod sleeves clamps the same color/finish as the sleeves?
Both were formed and made from similar steel materials handled much in the same way[/quote]
2- was grease applied to the threads?
Would not expect to see any visible grease
3-are the tie rod sleeve bolts/nuts darker in color? would gun bluing achieve the correct darker appearance?
Yes you can use gun bluing to darken down the bolts and the nuts to a lesser amount they were not dark or heat treated
