A common torque setting for a tie rod end to forged iron steering arm is around 40-45 ft/lbs, aluminum arms are usually a bit lower. I see no problem with using washers in this application, it's not uncommon to see them on late model vehicles. particularly if they have aluminum arms. It does make we wonder about the manufacture, though. Either the nut is wrong, or the cotter pin hole was drilled in the wrong spot.
