Hello, looking for some help please. Went to swap out both (left and right) Inner and Outer Tie Rod ends. Started on left (U.S. Driver side), and I think the replacement Tie Rod that I purchased (Beck Arnley 1017115, apparently same as OEM QFK500010, from Rock Auto) is the wrong size - It seems as if it's about half an inch too long. Also, the Ball Joint is 'smaller' than the ball joint on the one I took off the vehicle - Should I be concerned about the smaller size? I think I should be - Common sense would tell me that bigger is better for a ball joint, but I may be completely wrong. Anyway, back to the length - When I threaded the (new) Beck Arnley Inner Tie Rod on the Outer Tie Rod (new, Febest, ordered from Amazon, OEM Part # QJB500010, same part # for both sides), I tightened it as far as I possibly could, and the combined length of Inner and Outer was about half an inch longer than the length of the combined Inner/Outer that I removed from vehicle (which I did not loosen - so it was still the correct length, Alignment-wise). There simply was no more 'space' left inside the Outer Tie Rod for me to tighten the Inner Tie Rod any further. So, I put the old Inner/Outer back on the vehicle. Couple of other points - I have never changed the Inner Tie Rod ends before, (on this vehicle - done it before on full-sized Range Rover), so I have no knowledge or experience to talk intelligently about the correct length. Also, the 2 clips that secure the rubber boot look to be the 'proper' ones, and the larger clip was secured by the type of metal band that requires a pair of 'pinching' pliers to secure it. It's possible therefore that the vehicle has the original Inner Tie Rods on. So, possible that these Beck Arnleys are the wrong ones? If the Passenger side Inner's are similarly half an inch or so longer, I just don't see how that would be ok - But, I may be misunderstanding something obvious. Anybody know exactly what length the OEM QFK500010 (left) and OEM QFK500020 (right) should be? Has anybody successfully fitted these Beck Arnley's? Thanks, Simon

 

I'm on the verge of doing this as well... and was actually going to order my TRs from Rock Auto. I had been researching to see if HD tie rods were available and just wanted to read up on how difficult/easy it was, and I remember coming across a post that is almost identical to yours over on the disco3 board. You might want to do a search over there and see what you come across. I just remember that the OP had an issue with the length in that the new rods wouldn't thread in as far as the old rods. I don't remember what the resolution was though.

 

The resolution is to return the Beck Arnleys to the auto parts store and go get OE tie-rods.

 

I took the Beck Arnley's to teh local Land Rover Dealership (only 3 miles away) and spoke with the Service Manager. He grabbed an OEM Kit from the shelf, and we compared his OEM Inner and Outer Tie Rod ends to mine. They were both exactly the same size, shape and length.

So, good news, the Beck Arnleys are not the wrong size.

Bad news -

1. We still have the following 2 mysteries -

a) Why is the Ball Joint on the Left Inner Tie Rod that is still attached to the vehicle larger? and

b) Why was the 'new' total Tie Rod length (when I attached and tightened new Inner and Outers together) about a cm longer than the Tie Rods currently on vehicle?

I am going to do this - Take apart and measure Passenger (right) side Tie Rods, and compare with new ones. Hopefully the right sides that I remove are about a cm shorter than the new ones, in which case I will put both front wheels up on jacks, remove left (driver) side Tie Rods, attach new ones, leaving Outer Tie Rod Ball Joint disconnected, turn steering wheel to dead center, connect and tighten Outers, do a guesstimate Alignment, and hopefully all will be well. If it measures almost perfect, I will take it to a local shop where I have Lifetime Alignment.

If I cannot get the Tie-Rods to the correct length, i.e both sides are too long when Inner and Outer are threaded together, I will be very confused - And I suppose the next thing to do is examine the Steering Rack, which the Inner Tie Rod Ends thread into? Is it possible that the length of the steering rack is 'shorter', thus allowing the 'longer' Tie Rods to be used? Is there possibly a 'different' Steering Rack that will work on the LR3? Perhaps one form a Range Rover Sport? I have heard of 'upgraded' Inner Tie Rod ends, for 'Armored' LR3's - Is that why my Inner Tie Rod Ball Joints are larger?

Thanks, and wish me luck.

 

There is a VIN split when it comes to the LR3 and their tie rods. Depending on your VIN you will use LR010667 and LR010668 OR LR010669 and LR010670. These are the whole kits that include the inner, the outer and the boots/grease.

QFK500010 and QFK500020 are identical in length. It is the threaded part on the inner-most end that is different.

This is usually useful information that a reputable Land Rover parts company can provide that Rock Auto neglects to.

 

Update - I took apart the Passenger (Right) side tonight. The length of the new Inner Tie Rod End (Beck Arnley or OEM - confirmed both are exactly same length yesterday) is approximately 3/16" (inch) longer than the Inner Tie Rod that I removed tonight - The thread on the end that connects to the Outer Tie Rod is about 3/16 of an inch longer. Also, the Ball Joint end of the Inner Tie Rod that I removed from vehicle is larger than the new Beck Arnley / OEM, and is the same size as Ball Joint on Driver (left) side 'old' Inner Tie Rod, that is still on vehicle. I'm posting a couple of pictures. The angles might be a bit off because of camera distance and lens, but it's enough to give you a good idea. The Ball Joints on the new Inner Tie Rod ends look so small, and less durable! Has anyone seen Inner Tie Rods with Ball Joints this size? Anybody know what's going on here? Is there possibly a 'different' Steering Rack fitted? I'm concerned that I won't be able to do a proper alignment when I fit the new Beck Arnley Inner Tie Rod to the Driver side - Too long. This vehicle did have the Warn 9.5 Winch fitted at the factory when new, and also has the HD Package, and also a Mantec aluminum Skid Plate - Is it possible that somehow more durable Steering Rack and Inner Tie Rods were also fitted? Good news - I did a good enough job doing a 'manual' Alignment - No warning or error codes on test drive, no weird noises, car drives straight, and (best news of all) my 'clunks' and brake judder have disappeared. So the 'loose' Inner Tie Rod on Right side was the problem. Fortunately don't need to swap out Lower Control Arms. Anyway, I really want to solve this Tie Rod Mystery, so any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Simon.

 

^ yeah, what he said...