GC340, You are wrong but will go to any lengths to avoid admitting it. If the taper was wrong something else would have happened before the 80 lb-ft was reached. Most likely the nut would have run out of threads and it would not have torqued at all, because of no tension in the tapered part holding it from turning.

Important fasteners are usually torqued to 75 - 80% of their yield strength. If the stud torque was determined that way, the 80 lb-ft should have deformed the stud.
If so there will be a necked-down area right between the threads and the beginning of the taper. The OP can check that.

That still doesn't mean that the tie rod end is shot. Plastically deforming the stud actually increases its yield strength to the point it was deformed to. That's what work hardening does. That's why cold-rolled steel is stronger than hot-rolled steel.

This indeed has NOTHING to do with any recall for studs fracturing or otherwise coming apart. It's two different animals.

There are different thickness castle nuts and the wrong nut probably got put on the part during assembly. A real Grade 8 washer should take up the slack.
Or buy the correct castle nut.

It seems like a portion of people live in fear, and are not satisfied until they influence others to live in fear too. That's probably so they have company in their fearful existence.

That's why it is hard to give real answers on this board, answers that are based on fact and not on fear or "I have heard".

Then there are the ones who use China as an excuse for every sort of ignorance or prejudice. It's really easy to use as an excuse or as a way to tear down something or somebody else.

R.