Sigma-galant.com

The ball joints on my original GD track rod are stuffed, so i bought a new replacement one. When i was comparing the new with the old i noticed that on the new one has a longer shaft on one of the ball joints. Its about 8mm longer than the original.
The part number on the new rod is 'TR401' and i cant find any other listings for this type of part.
Is it for an earlier model galant or could it be a manufacturing fault?

Both myself and my father have had the same issue, as well as others on here.

All that my father and myself have done is add an extra rubber seal to take up the gap between the track rod and the pitman arm to keep the grease in and any crap out. They still seem to work fine.