Tie Rods for Bronco Wildtrack

You should check to see if your Wildtrak has the HOSS 3.0 suspension package or not. The HOSS 3.0 package included a beefed up steering rack with new tie rods. Easiest way to tell is just check the color of your shocks. If they're yellow, that's Bilstein shocks that come with HOSS 2.0. If it's black/orange FOX shocks, that's HOSS 3.0.

But to answer the question I personally just carry a set of OEM tie rods. The tie rods are supposed to be the "fuse" of the steering system. If you buy beefier tie rods, then your new weak link becomes the steering rack itself, and obviously steering rack damage is a lot harder to fix out on the trail than a tie rod.

Another option if you don't have the HOSS 3.0 suspension package is just to buy the same beefier steering rack that's included on the HOSS 3.0 package. Ford sells that on Ford Performance Parts.

Dosaoffroader

Hi all,
New member here! I just recently purchased a 2022 Wildtrack in hopes of getting into offroading.

I read that the tie rods are quite weak and can break easily. Initially, I won't be getting into anything technical, but I just want to be ready when the time is appropriate.

Wondering if y'all can recommend some brands and models for me to look into.

Thanks,
Akhil

I would not upgrade the tie rods without addressing the Bronco steering rack. The weak tie rods will break to protect the steering rack. If you beef up the tie rods and do not address the steering rack then all you are doing is moving that weak spot from the tie rods to the steering rack. I'd rather have a broken tie rod than a broken steering rack.

This is also a reason as to why you'd want to avoid tie rod braces. Tie Rod braces, like the BroncBuster, might be a good idea to carry in the bronco for a quick on the trail emergency repair but I would not permanently install them w/o addressing the steering rack.

I recently did a 74Weld Stage 1 steering rack upgrade along with much more beefy Icon Tie Rods. Here is that thread if you want to look through it.

https://thebronconation.com/accesso...-1-icon-xd-forged-tie-rods-installed-t.20785/

If you do not want to spend the cash for a steering rack and tie rod upgrade then I would recommend you just buy a few inner tie rods for the Bronco and carry them along with a tool kit that will allow for an on the trail repair / swap if one breaks.

Spare stock inner tie rods and a kit like this would do the trick
https://td-distributing.myshopify.com/products/bronco-6g-tie-rod-repair-kit

Good luck!

Stock steering rack left - 74Weld right. Notice how ridiculously thin the stock one is? Yikes!





Stock Tie Rods left - Icon Tie Rods right

This is kind of a religious question. You're going to get a lot of different perspectives. I agree with @RagnarKon that if you don't have the HOSS 3.0 package on your '22 (and odds are you don't) that either carrying a spare set of tie rods, or something like the BroncBuster sleeves which you can use to do a trail repair pretty quickly and easily, is the way to go.

Some folks do say that the steering rack is tougher than the failure point of the tie rods, i.e. that the tie rods tend to fail too soon, and therefore beefing up the tie rods with something like the BroncBuster sleeves is still OK.

A lot will have to do with your driving style/technique, and the kind of trails you run. In general, as long as you take it easy on the skinny peddle, and keep your wheel's straight when you have the front lockers on, you'll usually be OK. That's especially true on easy and moderate trails. If you want to run the difficult or extreme trails or if you move to 37+" tires and lots of lift I would suggest beefing it all up with the Ford Performance Parts upgrade as @RagnarKon suggested above.

Another option if you don’t want to upgrade your stock steering rack, whether it is to the Hoss 3.0 or 74 Weld end cap or full rack, is to purchase the Ford performance HD tie rods alone. They are an excellent upgrade from the 2.0 tie rods found on all Sasquatch equipped rigs to a certain point in MY22/23. Even better are the ICON tie rods shown above. I am still running my stock 2.0 tie rods on my Nov 2022 Badlands w/Sasquatch and have done quite a bit of serious off roading with zero issues. I have a set of the Icon tie rods waiting in the wings. As @JoergH said above, how you use the skinny pedal is a major factor.

Congrats on your WildTrack!! Yeah, understand your question. Lots of Bronco steering component content here on Bronco Nation & other websites. IMO, this isn't surprising given Bronco's independent front suspension. True, Ford's early steering components probably weren't robust enough, with people adding all manner of mods - Lifts kits, big/heavy tires, wheel spacers, etc - Running loose in the wild!

We have '23 WildTrak and luv HOSS 3.0, now have almost 12k miles, and lots of off-road adventures here in Colorado & some Moab too - all with no problems!

My solution is spare tie rod and tool kit on-board. Importantly, also learn what NOT to do while operation you vehicle off-road. Here's a good video on that.


Cheers

Kenneth

Congrats on your WildTrack!! Yeah, understand your question. Lots of Bronco steering component content here on Bronco Nation & other websites. IMO, this isn't surprising given Bronco's independent front suspension. True, Ford's early steering components probably weren't robust enough, with people adding all manner of mods - Lifts kits, big/heavy tires, wheel spacers, etc - Running loose in the wild!

We have '23 WildTrak and luv HOSS 3.0, now have almost 12k miles, and lots of off-road adventures here in Colorado & some Moab too - all with no problems!

My solution is spare tie rod and tool kit on-board. Importantly, also learn what NOT to do while operation you vehicle off-road. Here's a good video on that.

Cheers

I couldn't agree more with that video. One thing to keep in mind as well is that for those folks who are used to driving a straight axle off-roader like a Jeep, you might want to consider a different line on your obstacles with any IFS vehicle, It's NOT just people who are new of roadroading that are breaking tie rods. Also, learn to "two foot it". That can really help you crawl over an obsiticle instead of just sending it. But, really, that comment about the front locker, and the use of the skinny pedal are really spot on.

I always try to address possible issues and failure points before they become a problem. It would suck to be 20 miles deep from anywhere and by yourself with an issue that you knew about and failed to take seriously or rectify.

Maybe I am different since 90% of the time I am solo and miles from civilization.

Every off-road experience will be different. No two are ever the same. Taking different lines is fine IF you can. I've been in many instances over the years where it is not possible due to terrain or vehicle capability. You go where your vehicle, and trail, will allow you to go.

Sure, driver error plays a part in tie rods breaking but the stock tie rods are not very beefy and that steering rack end cap? Good grief! It's almost like Ford tried to make it as thin as humanly possible.

I agree with the front lockers and staying off the gas but again, that might not always be possible. There are plenty of situations and scenarios where you'll need front lockers and need to lay on the gas.

Some trails might have a bypass, take it if needed as there is no shame in using a bypass. Some trails will leave you with no option but to abandon it, turn-a-round or try the one and only line that you have available.

It’s hard to backseat drive when every trail is different, vehicles are all configured differently, trail conditions can be very different from month to month, and driver skill varies.

Some people will have a spotter, some people can watch the line that the vehicle in front of them takes, and some people are solo and just have to decide for themselves.

I generally try to identify any potential issues and seek a way to resolve them. With my car fridge, I just went crazy figuring out and getting a 2 prong plug system set up in the Bronco because a standard 12V plug could pop out during rough off-roading. With the tie rod and steering rack issues, I went with the 74Weld cap upgrade and better tie rods.

raqball

https://performanceparts.ford.com/part/M-3200-WTI always try to address possible issues and failure points before they become a problem. It would suck to be 20 miles deep from anywhere and by yourself with an issue that you knew about and failed to take seriously or rectify.

Maybe I am different since 90% of the time I am solo and miles from civilization.

Every off-road experience will be different. No two are ever the same. Taking different lines is fine IF you can. I've been in many instances over the years where it is not possible due to terrain or vehicle capability. You go where your vehicle, and trail, will allow you to go.

Sure, driver error plays a part in tie rods breaking but the stock tie rods are not very beefy and that steering rack end cap? Good grief! It's almost like Ford tried to make it as thin as humanly possible.

I agree with the front lockers and staying off the gas but again, that might not always be possible. There are plenty of situations and scenarios where you'll need front lockers and need to lay on the gas.

Some trails might have a bypass, take it if needed as there is no shame in using a bypass. Some trails will leave you with no option but to abandon it, turn-a-round or try it on the only line you have available.

It’s hard to backseat drive when every trail is different, vehicles are all configured differently, and driver skill varies. Some people will have a spotter, some people can watch the line the vehicle in front of them takes and some people are solo and just have to decide for themselves.

I generally try to identify any potential issues and seek a way to resolve them. With my car fridge, I just went crazy figuring out and getting a 2 prong plug system set up in the Bronco because a standard 12V plug could pop out during rough off-roading

To each his/her own. One thing I've always been told is do NOT go offroad alone. Sure, if it's a busy dirt road, that's fine, but the middle of nowhere all by yourself on a difficult trail? That's pretty risky. For someone who's very experienced, that might be one thing, but I certainly wouldn't encourage anyone new to the sport, to go out alone.

As for lines, sure, there are going to be times when there's only ONE line. But in my experience, difficult obstacles are a game of inches, and a little left or a little right can be completely different and maybe the Jeep with it's solid axle can handle it better a little to the left, where-as your Bronco might do better a little to the right. I'm not talking about bypasses, especially illegal ones (and a LOT of them are). Those are to be avoided at all costs.

There's also 'two footing" it. That's a technique that will sometimes allow you to crawl an obstacle instead of sending it. One the other hand, Ford claims that 1-Pedal Drive makes two footing it obsolete.

But in the end, driving technique for an IFS vehicle, especially on the rocks, is going to be different than with a solid axle like the video says. BTW, I wasn't suggesting that you don't have to sometimes use the "Moab Bump" to get over things. But, using the minimum amount of skinny peddle to get the job done, and staying off the front lockers as the video says, you should be good. What you don't want to do is this.

Having said all that, there's nothing wrong with beefing up the steering rack and tie rods. The Ford Performance upgrade is a great option for the price. It allows you to push the Bronco further onetime more difficult obstacles without having to worry about the tie rods.

JoergH

To each his/her own. One thing I've always been told is do NOT go offroad alone. Sure, if it's a busy dirt road, that's fine, but the middle of nowhere all by yourself on a difficult trail? That's pretty risky. For someone who's very experienced, that might be one thing, but I certainly wouldn't encourage anyone new to the sport, to go out alone.

I've been going solo since the mid 80's. I've been stuck in the middle of nowhere a few times. What is so scary about going out on your own?

A new 4 wheeler who wants to get out solo should start on easy trails and work their way up. I don't intentionally or knowingly hit any trails rated higher than a 6 when solo. Common sense, pre-planning, knowing your limits and the limits of the vehicle will go along way. Sure sometimes a trail I thought would be a 6 can turn into an 8 and that's where I need to decide if I want to continue or abandon the trail. I have zero shame in abandoning a trail or in taking a bypass.

IMO, there is no reason for a person to be afraid of wheeling solo. Start easy and work on up as you gain knowledge and confidence. Make sure you have proper recovery gear, repair tools, and communications gear at the ready.

Take some courses like Off-Rodeo, maybe go out a few times with others to learn some before going solo. I've personally never understood those who say don't go solo. But I am strange, so there's that I guess..

I identify potential issues and try to resolve them before hand. I have a winch, recovery gear, traction boards, a GMRS radio, a satellite communicator, tools, first aid, bear spray etc.. In the past, I've had to walk for miles a few times to get back to a road so I could flag down help.

The Ford Performance kit is nice but it needs a Performance tune and that is going to add what, another $800-$1000 to the price? If the goal is to beef up the rack and tie rod weak points then the 74Weld is a lot cheaper option that works great, is a fairly easy install, and no tune is needed.

raqball

I've been going solo since the mid 80's. I've been stuck in the middle of nowhere a few times. What is so scary about going out on your own?

A new 4 wheeler who wants to get out solo should start on easy trails and work their way up. I don't intentionally or knowingly hit any trails rated higher than a 6 when solo. Common sense, pre-planning, knowing your limits and the limits of the vehicle will go along way. Sure sometimes a trail I thought would be a 6 can turn into an 8 and that's where I need to decide if I want to continue or abandon the trail. I have zero shame in abandoning a trail or in taking a bypass.

IMO, there is no reason for a person to be afraid of wheeling solo. Start easy and work on up as you gain knowledge and confidence. Make sure you have proper recovery gear, repair tools, and communications gear at the ready.

Take some courses like Off-Rodeo, maybe go out a few times with others to learn some before going solo. I've personally never understood those who say don't go solo. But I am strange, so there's that I guess..

I identify potential issues and try to resolve them before hand. I have a winch, recovery gear, traction boards, a GMRS radio, a satellite communicator, tools, first aid, bear spray etc.. In the past, I've had to walk for miles a few times to get back to a road so I could flag down help.

The Ford Performance kit is nice but it needs a Performance tune and that is going to add what, another $800-$1000 to the price? If the goal is to beef up the rack and tie rod weak points then the 74Weld is a lot cheaper option that works great, is a fairly easy install, and no tune is needed.

Like I said, you do you. If you feel comfortable going out alone, that's great. But from a safety perspective, especially when talking to someone (like the OP) who's just getting into the sport, I wouldn't recommend it.

As for the steering rack, there's a big difference between replacing your HOSS 1.0 or HOSS 2.0 rack with the HOSS 3.0 (which is what you're getting from Ford Performance) and just replacing the end cap from 74 Weld and some beefier tie rods and leaving the rest of the stock steering rack in place. With the Ford Performance rack you get a higher torque motor and improved and reinforced steering gear casing from the Bronco Raptor, stronger inner tie rods with improved articulation, and reinforced outer tie rods with increased deflection ball joints.

If you want to compare apples to apples, you would need to compare the Ford Performance part to either the Stage 2 or Stage 3 solution from 74 weld not the Stage 1 ($1,000) which only replaces the end cap and the bushing. Stage 2 or Stage 3 would run you somewhere between $3,800 (Stage 2) to $5,400 (Stage 3) according to 74 Weld's website vs the Ford Performance solution which is $1,300 + $825 = $2,125.

Now, don't get me wrong, I think that 74 Weld's Stage 2 and Stage 3 are probably stronger parts, but are they $3,275 better? Probably, if you need that kinda strength for the trails you run and your driving style. For most people who aren't trying to run 8+ trails they might be overkill.

JoergH

Like I said, you do you. If you feel comfortable going out alone, that's great. But from a safety perspective, especially when talking to someone (like the OP) who's just getting into the sport, I wouldn't recommend it.

As for the steering rack, there's a big difference between replacing your HOSS 1.0 or HOSS 2.0 rack with the HOSS 3.0 (which is what you're getting from Ford Performance) and just replacing the end cap from 74 Weld and some beefier tie rods and leaving the rest of the stock steering rack in place. With the Ford Performance rack you get a higher torque motor and improved and reinforced steering gear casing from the Bronco Raptor, stronger inner tie rods with improved articulation, and reinforced outer tie rods with increased deflection ball joints.

If you want to compare apples to apples, you would need to compare the Ford Performance part to either the Stage 2 or Stage 3 solution from 74 weld not the Stage 1 ($1,000) which only replaces the end cap and the bushing. Stage 2 or Stage 3 would run you somewhere between $3,800 (Stage 2) to $5,400 (Stage 3) according to 74 Weld's website vs the Ford Performance solution which is $1,300 + $825 = $2,125.

Now, don't get me wrong, I think that 74 Weld's Stage 2 and Stage 3 are probably stronger parts, but are they $3,275 better? Probably, if you need that kinda strength for the trails you run and your driving style. For most people who aren't trying to run 8+ trails they might be overkill.

Not a single person has advised the OP to go out as a solo.

Aside from that, people hike solo, climb solo, and do all sorts of activities solo. There is nothing to be afraid of. Know your limits, the vehicle limits and carry what’s needed.

Meh, we are way off-topic so I’ll bow out. The ford performance system is a great system it’s just overkill for most people and quite a bit more costly when you add in a tune.. I considered it before going with the 74Weld set up.

Good luck OP. The cheap and easy solution is to carry a few extra stock tie rods and a kit like I linked to earlier from @Tricky Dick

I am owta this one..

I'm not pushing anything, what I was pointing out was that you were comparing apples to oranges. But like you said, we are drifting far off topic here. Bottom line is the OP said he's got a Wildtrak and " Initially, I won't be getting into anything technical" but is worried about the stories he's heard about "weak" tie rods. So, let me wrap things up with a quick summary:

1. If you aren't doing anything too technical, you reallydon't have to worry about it. However, just in case you want to play it safe you have a few options in increasing oder of expense:
2. You can get a cheap set of OEM tie rods, and if they break you can do a trail repair pretty easily.
3. You can get a set of sleeves (there are a number of options out there now), but some folks worry that of you do that, you transfer the problem to the steering rack. However, since the OP says he's not going to do anything too technical, that might not be a concern yet.
4. You can get a set of stronger tie rods like the one's from Icon Dynamic (https://www.iconvehicledynamics.com...lOSXRqlrJowmvtrs7vqRsqbwWyfCAB-hoC-8kQAvD_BwE) . However, that has the same downside as the sleeves.
5. You can do the Stage 1 from Weld 74, for example, which replaces the bushing and the endocarp on the speaking rack (https://motorsports.74weld.com/bronco-stage-1/) which will beef up a steering rack by addressing some of the weak points of the OEM rack.
6. You can also upgrade the entire steering rack with something much stronger. You can the part for Ford Performance, or you can get it from Weld 74 as well as other sources. All have their pros and cons, but in the end, you get a steering rack and tie rods that are MUCH stronger.

Which is right for the OP depends on:

1. His budget
2. How technical of trails he wants to run.
3. His driving technique

Finally, as for going out alone. Have you ever heard the phase "Leading by example"? Just a thought when you are posting on a forum and it's being read by a lot of people who maybe don't have the experience, mechanical aptitude, or equipment that you do. In the end, everyone gets to decide for themselves how much risk they want to take on.