TL;DR: There was special batch of TF255 HD rods at the beginning of COVID that doesn't use D1 tie rod ends. Instead, it uses DII tie rod ends, QFS000010 and QFS000010RH. But the DII did not have right-hand thread tie rods. So part# QFS000010RH is nearly impossible to get, at least in the states. Because it was never used on the DII, it was made special for the HD rods.

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In July of 2020 I got a set of TF255 HD steering rods from Lucky 8. I thought it was brilliant, because it has serviceable tie rod ends. One year later, all 4 boots are torn. So I do my research, and I see that everyone says you can replace them with Disco 1 tie rods, parts RTC5869 and RTC5870. So I order a set (delphi) and go to install them...

I'm threading a new tie rod in and halfway through, it starts to get tight. I can't screw in the tie rod more than half way. The threads were binding together. Weird. I try the other side, same problem. I compare old and new tie rods and see that the thread pitch is different! The spacing between the threads is different.

Okay, I thought maybe the delphi ones were just weird. Lemforder is good, so I got a set of those. Same problem!

So I get in touch with lucky 8. They tell me the D1 ends are the correct ones, RTC5869 x 2 and RTC5870 x 2. I tell them I already tried those but they didn't fit. So they say they will get in contact with TF.

I got in touch with Terrafirma myself, and they say:They also tell me that QFS000010RH was made specifically for the HD steering rods and that I should order it through Lucky8 or AB. So of course, I ask Lk8 and AB and explain my situation.

Lucky8: Unfortunately I am currently out of stock on those, I apologize
AB: I have forwarded your information to the purchasing department and will advise if they can help with this.

I don't blame them at all. Why would they stock a part that barely exists? But I'm mad at terrafirma. There was no information about this anywhere. Now I feel like I got screwed and I don't know what to do. Go back to OEM steering bars? I wish I could get back the time and money I wasted on this mess.

Sorry for the rant. I hope this information helps somebody avoid my situation.

 

sorry to hear that. Maybe you can tap a new thread pitch in?

otherwise, rte fab can get you better bars and tie rod ends.

 

Great, I ordered the TF HD steering components around the beginning of COVID. I saw the boots on the provided ends looked cheap but used them
anyway thinking I can swap in replacements later. What is the thread pitch you have? Curious if it matches what I have.

I was a little leery with TF. The only thing I received from them that seems well built where the shock towers. However the coating on them didn’t seem great so I clear coated them heavily. Hopefully that keeps the rust at bay for a while.

 

Thanks for letting me know about them! I was hoping to find an alternative that's not the OEM bars.

I'll measure my thread pitch and update this thread. Yeah, I was suprised the rod ends only lasted a year. But I'm even more surprised about the part change. Surely this will bite them when everyone who got this batch realizes they can't get replacement ends?

 

Have you contacted Rovers North? They make a point on their website of claiming that they can find any part if it exists.

 

Ugh sorry mate. Yet another reason never to buy anything Terrafirma. I've been hosed by their total terrible QC/parts manufacture more times than I can count.

 

That's a great idea, I've sent them a message.

Appreaciate the sympathy. It's so maddening because they didn't communicate this change and it's puzzling because it seems so unnecessary.

As promised here is the thread pitch for the end links that came with my bar (d2 end links) and the D1 end links I tried to fit in:

Original end links (supposedly DII end links). ~17 threads per inch:


New end link (D1 end link). ~16 TPI:


Side by side:

 

Man that sucks, I need to do mine got about years out them,but pre covid.

 

Just got a set of these.. I hope they've gone back to the proper end that is available..

 

I hope so! I had to get rid of them and i'm back to OEM bars.