OEM Part not replacing original OEM part

[dapakattack]

Hello All,

Awhile back I posted that I tore the bushing on my passenger side outer tie rod (2020 XLT 4x4). I went ahead and ordered a replacement for KB3Z-3A130-B and also ordered W520213-S440 from VillageFord Parts Upon replacement, discovered that that part does not tighten properly to the knuckle.

* The original tie rod has a 19mm nut that can be tightened down completely to the cast iron knuckle.
* The replacement tie rod has a 15mm nut that bottoms out and does not tighten down even while holding
the hex portion of the tie rod shaft.
* The original tie rod has a white number on it of 38280818 20-269 (see picture)
* The new tie rod has a white number on it of 38222042 20-036 (just as the picture below taken from the
rockauto website




Has anyone else replaced a tie rod without running into this issue? I've also noticed that all the Youtube videos showing suspension work have the Aluminum knuckle and have 15mm tie rod nuts.

Does anyone know if those numbers can be cross referenced to the usual Ford part number? Maybe @P. A. Schilke would know?

I may just end up bringing it in to the dealer and having them figure it out.

Thank you for the help.

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[Porpoise Hork]

Ford changed the steering knuckle from aluminum to cast iron in the middle of the 2020 production run. This is going to cause issues like this because none of the online parts suppliers reflect this change or have many parts listed for the 2021's yet. Probably best to see if the dealer can pull the correct part numbers off a 2021 year model. They may be able to run the numbers off the original end link to get the correct part for you if their system doesn't have a listing for the 2021's.

 

[D Fresh]

Check with Benny @LevittownFordParts.com

He should be able to find you the proper part.

 

[Trigganometry]

I’m still scratching my head on this one. I can see why the change was made during the pandemic because of raw material issues and supply’s. But when introducing the cast iron replacement you would think they would have made them to be identical to the aluminum ones. Tapers are different for more than one mount point. They solved a problem at the factory for assembly but everyone after them now has a potential to receive wrong parts that keep you out of commission longer even knowing this difference. Somebody probably got a bonus for doing this too!

 

[Motorpsychology]

This is why I believe all parts for all brands should be referenced by either VIN and/ or build date for all suppliers, from OEMs to Internet sellers working out of the garage. I ran into a similar problem years ago when replacing a thermostat housing on my 2000 Focus. there was a midyear design change and the one I bought didn't fit

 

[dapakattack]

Thank you guys for the suggestions. I hadn't thought about going the 2021 part route. If that works out, I'll make sure to post the part number here.

 

[Cmar]

I’m still scratching my head on this one. I can see why the change was made during the pandemic because of raw material issues and supply’s. But when introducing the cast iron replacement you would think they would have made them to be identical to the aluminum ones. Tapers are different for more than one mount point. They solved a problem at the factory for assembly but everyone after them now has a potential to receive wrong parts that keep you out of commission longer even knowing this difference. Somebody probably got a bonus for doing this too!

Thats really interesting, ours have always had the cast iron knuckle. Maybe Ford US sourced some Global Ranger parts?

 

[dapakattack]

I want to thank Doug (D Fresh) for the suggestion of contacting Benny with LevittownFord. Benny took it upon himself to contact Ford and get the correct part figured out.

I placed the order with Levittown and now just waiting on Ford to make it available.

So, if you have a later model 2020 or 2021 with the Cast Iron knuckle and need to replace either tie rod end, the part numbers are:

KB3Z3A130F Right
KB3Z3A130E Left

If you are looking for Ford parts, I can't recommend Levittown, and Benny, enough!

Thank you all for the help

 

[dapakattack]

Got my tie rod delivered today. Thanks again Benny!

For future reference, the new part did match the top white numbers in the first picture (that must be the part number...38280818). The second set of white numbers did not match (must be Year - and maybe day month or place of build...21-057)

 

[P. A. Schilke]

Got my tie rod delivered today. Thanks again Benny!

For future reference, the new part did match the top white numbers in the first picture (that must be the part number...38280818). The second set of white numbers did not match (must be Year - and maybe day month or place of build...21-057)

HI Daniel,

Sorry....at the time of the original post I did not have notices enabled...so failed to respond...Sorry!

There are two sets of part numbers for a part at Ford. Engineering and service. Engineering part numbers have a four alphanumeric code followed by the base part number followed by a suffix of two letters. Service numbers have four alphanumeric code with the last being a Z. Then the same base number and usually a single suffix. This is a made up example, so do not take this as a real part number example.

The part number for a fornortan valve,

Engineering number
KB3A 3A091 BA

Service part number
KB3Z 3A091 A

Okay...Engineering Change
KB3A 3A091 CA

OOPS... mistake so change
KB3A 3A091 CB.

For above Service number
KB3Z 3a091 B Both CA and CB are listed as service part number suffix B

So for Engineering Part numbers which you might find on a label in the truck will likely not jive with the service part number.... Most parts start out with a AA suffix for Engineering part numbers. A design will change to B from A for or from AA to BA....then a tweak of a design will dictate a BB level...

Service, if the parts are interchangable will continue to show a single suffix A and only move to a B or C or D if interchangability is affected

Sorry to muddy the waters but we in engineering used our part numbers to track parts....not service numbers which customers and dealers use.... And just to confuse a bit...some times the part number base changes for service too.

Screwed up, eh?

That is why Benny of Levittown is a god send!

Best,
Phil

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