has anyone seen or had this happen to them?

I replaced the entire front end “Moog parts” and the tie rod end shaft was too long and The castle nut torque to specs. Wouldn’t allow the carter pin to catch any of the bolt.

this is not my pic, just one i found. Disreguard the arrow.

look at the tir rod end with the pin through the castle nut.....

 

..I ran into a similar problem on my 01 f250. turns out Ford changed some parts without saying much. You have to find the build date...dealer can do that by serial number. I did not do the work..it was done at a Mufflerman garage. They got the part eventually..(couple of days)

 

I guess I got the long ones......

 

My build date is on the door sticker.

 

Thx....... there not too long, I can still bend the pin over a bit. If worse comes to worse, it will keep the nut from totally coming off.....