TR6 VERY tight Tie Rod ends

A couple years back I ordered a pair of outer Tie Rod ends from TRF. Then I got distracted and didn't get around to installing them until this past weekend.

The problem I'm having (or more precisely might be having) is that the new tie rod ends are extremely stiff and I'm wondering if that's right or not. The ones I took out I'm able to move the ball joint with just my hand but...those tie rod ends are 25+ years old so...who knows. The new ones I can't move with my bare hands at all. If I put a nut on the threaded portion of the ball joint and (gently) clamp that in a vise I can move the ball joint by inserting an 18" rod in the threaded portion of the tie rod end but, without some sort of leverage like that, I still cannot budge the ball joint even when its clamped in a vise.

Has anyone else experienced this? Is it normal?

Poolboy (on another forum) has already said his were pretty tight but I'm looking for additional thoughts on whether these tie rod ends are defective before install them.

I am surprised they are that tight, a new part will usually feel a lot tighter than your well worn used piece, but needing that much leverage to move seems excessive. You could check with TRF and see if they think or if they will do a return or exchange. That said, assuming they are still sealed and lubricated it should work fine and loosen up with time. If the resistance is strong but smooth and steady maybe just tight, if resistance to movement is "scratchy or variable, moves easily a little ways, the hard a little ways, I would definitely not use them.