Bronco Tie Rod Failures: Rarity or Looming Problem?

Laura

Jul 01, 2022

2022 Bronco Wildtrak_optional HOSS 3.0_Fox Internal Bypass Dampers Package_07.jpg

Adding aftermarket performance parts without upgrading the surrounding vehicle underpinnings means risking failures at the weakest unchanged point. It’s basic reliability engineering. In the case of the Ford Bronco, some owners have upgraded to heavier wheels or larger tires without toughening up the stock steering system. That leaves the stock tie rods as the exposed element.

Result: We’ve seen some examples of tie rod failure when rock-stomping some difficult off-road trails or challenges.

Read the full article, and tell us what you think. Have you increased your tire size or wheel weight? Will you try to get the Ford Performance severe-duty steering rack and tie rods?

I'll say, that snapping of the tie rod in the video WILL make you wince.

~~2021 Oxford White 2-door non-Sas Mid package 2.7L/10-speed Badlands with MIC top~~
2021 Carbonized Gray 2-door Sas High package 2.7L/10-speed Badlands with MIC top
Keeping the Jeeps: ~~stock '89 XJ and~~ 3.5" lifted '00 XJ on 31s and '89 MJ

extra toasty, BroncoFred

Last edited by a moderator: Jul 01, 2022

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Nov 30, 2023

#100

I was just on their site reviewing all of those pieces!

Chief Ron, Unicorn

Nov 30, 2023

#101

TK1215
I was just on their site reviewing all of those pieces!

And now they have added the double shear heim tie rod that you can get with the portals.... The only other way to get a double shear heim is going with through Carli.....

https://www.carlisuspension.com/pro...nts-ford-bronco/21-23-bronco-steering-system/

Chief Ron, TK1215

Nov 30, 2023

#102

BostonBadlands
@TrickyDick and @Uniorn--and others--thanks for ideas and useful info on the tierod. I've decided to keep my tierods stock, on the understanding that it's better to snap those on a trail than risk a more difficult-to-access part or the steering linkage. TrickyDick, I like your kit, but I already have those tools: all I need is the tierod. Indulge a mechanical ignoramus, here goes:

Q #1: Are the tierods the same, left & right? Do I need just one, or a mirrored pair?
Q #2: What is (are) the part number(s) for the tierod? (I drive a Badlands Sasquatch)
Q #2a: Any non OEM tierods worth recommending?
Q #3: Any thoughts on reinforcement sleeves? As stated above, I'm inclined to just let a tierod snap, as opposed to something else breaking, but there was a lot of debate on them on the other site, where I'm banned. (I posted some nasty things about St. Greta.* 😒)

*Hey, did you hear the one about when St. Greta drove her EV through a carwash?...😯

I run stock OEM tierods with Level Up jam nut sleeves and have yet to break one. I might be doing damage to my rack, I'll know more once I put the Rough Country rack bushings in (BroncBuster knockoffs). I've seen some racks with a lot of wear with just stock tie rods.

Mevotech and Dorman now have Broncos specific tie rods at OEM strength for a little cheaper which are also good spares. Dorman teased a stronger set as well but I have yet to see them for sale.

I'm very wary about making the tie rods too strong and breaking the rack instead. The Icons seem like a very nice product but I like the idea of a cheap fuse. I carry 2 cheap aftermarket Ranger tie rods just in case. In the event I finally break an OEM tie rod I'll switch to Ranger tie rods full time.

Jakob1972, BostonBadlands

Nov 30, 2023

#103

@BostonBadlands I have your same build and this is the plan for my upgrade:
1) I have the upgraded ICON tie rods and can swap them out and just use them with the stock Ford 2.0 steering rack. And or,
2) phase two change the end cap and bushing for the 74 Weld or BroncBuster replacement versions, in conjunction with the ICON tie rods.
Having done some pretty challenging off roading adventures over the last year and extended road trips, I don’t believe that level two or three upgrades are necessary At this time. But that is just my opinion. Either of the two options I mentioned above vastly increase the strength and durability on the weak points without compromising ride or capability in the vehicle. I may do an upgrade to suspension and 37” tires, but for now the stock BL Sasquatch is excellent both on and off road.

BostonBadlands, Chief Ron

Nov 30, 2023

#104

TK1215
I just checked ICON’s website and they have an excellent price right now!

Woah! That price is too good to pass up. Just ordered! I've also bought the inner bushing from BroncBuster so I think that will be a good combo with these rods.

2022 Bronco Badlands, 4D, Hot Pepper Red, 2.7, Squatch, Lux, and MIC.
7/13/2020 10:04pm reservation. Blend 6/16/2022 Delivered 6/26/2022.
Dealership - Stephen's Auto Center.

Chief Ron, TK1215

Nov 30, 2023

#105

Deano Bronc
Woah! That price is too good to pass up. Just ordered! I've also bought the inner bushing from BroncBuster so I think that will be a good combo with these rods.

That’s a freaking steal.

TK1215, Chief Ron

Nov 30, 2023

#106

TK1215
@BostonBadlands I have your same build and this is the plan for my upgrade:
1) I have the upgraded ICON tie rods and can swap them out and just use them with the stock Ford 2.0 steering rack. And or,
2) phase two change the end cap and bushing for the 74 Weld or BroncBuster replacement versions, in conjunction with the ICON tie rods.
Having done some pretty challenging off roading adventures over the last year and extended road trips, I don’t believe that level two or three upgrades are necessary At this time. But that is just my opinion. Either of the two options I mentioned above vastly increase the strength and durability on the weak points without compromising ride or capability in the vehicle. I may do an upgrade to suspension and 37” tires, but for now the stock BL Sasquatch is excellent both on and off road.

Tim- so, you are running the Icon tie rods right now without upgrading the end-cap yet? How do you feel about it so far? I have the tie-rods in my possession but have not bought the end cap yet ($$), I have been nervous that doing the tie rods without the end-cap shifts the failure point and might cause an ugly issue unless I do both.

Nov 30, 2023

#107

Lnashsig
Tim- so, you are running the Icon tie rods right now without upgrading the end-cap yet? How do you feel about it so far? I have the tie-rods in my possession but have not bought the end cap yet ($$), I have been nervous that doing the tie rods without the end-cap shifts the failure point and might cause an ugly issue unless I do both.

I run Icon tie rods with the BroncBuster bushing without the housing. When I talked to one of the guys manning BroncBuster’s table at Super Cel, he said the housing wasn’t really important until I went up in tire size.

I try to practice controlled rock crawling and not try to throttle hard unless I’m certain the front tires won’t be bound up with obstacles.

If I go with a heavier 37” tire I will probably get the housing.

Roughstock11, Chief Ron

Nov 30, 2023

#108

I had the ICONs installed right after I took delivery. BUT I didn't know these trucks could go off road??😉 Is that why you folks keep breaking stuff?

WeakNinja, Jakob1972

Nov 30, 2023

#109

Lnashsig
Tim- so, you are running the Icon tie rods right now without upgrading the end-cap yet? How do you feel about it so far? I have the tie-rods in my possession but have not bought the end cap yet ($$), I have been nervous that doing the tie rods without the end-cap shifts the failure point and might cause an ugly issue unless I do both.

I have not installed them yet. Per everything I have seen and heard they are fine to install with no other changes. I personally feel that the combination of the new tie rods and changing the end cap and bushing is for me the way to go. For now the tie rods are in the wings waiting, just in case, but I plan on installing them sometime in the new year. Another good add if not changing out the end cap is the BroncBuster bushing. I guess the biggest factor is how much off roading we are doing and how hard we are doing it.

Roughstock11, Chief Ron

Dec 01, 2023

#110

Unicorn
Taking this tie rod discussion to the next level..... the rack..... with some tie rod mentions...

I watched the whole video. Just a great breakdown of the whole system. Thanks for posting this!

Roughstock11, Deano Bronc

Dec 01, 2023

#111

That video is very hard to watch and needs an edit downto 5 min. Address the weak spots and how they fixed it…but good info. Ford knows some folks will go up a tire size. If the warranty says you can’t change the tire size then let’s see that language.

TK1215

Dec 01, 2023

#112

Ben221
That video is very hard to watch and needs an edit downto 5 min. Address the weak spots and how they fixed it…but good info. Ford knows some folks will go up a tire size. If the warranty says you can’t change the tire size then let’s see that language.

"If the warranty says you can’t change the tire size then let’s see that language"

If you care about the warranty do not change anything.....

This is a down in the weeds dissection of how to improve the one weak point in ALL IFS suspensions. It is about engineering the best product for the application. Why is the Ford HOSS 2 and 3 not the perfect engineering solution?... cost. cost to manufacture. the exact same limitation EVERY manufacture has.

I guess growing up around engineers and then being in the midst of them for my whole life this seems like a excellent analysis that I find absolutely fascinating. Yes, Quinn has a tendency to pursue tangents but, they all are relevant to the discussion. Shortening it up to a executive summary misses the whole point of the video. Executive summary is nothing more than a sales pitch. buy my product it is better... this is about what makes a better product.

Sven, Darrel

Dec 01, 2023

#113

Unicorn
"If the warranty says you can’t change the tire size then let’s see that language"

If you care about the warranty do not change anything.....

This is a down in the weeds dissection of how to improve the one weak point in ALL IFS suspensions. It is about engineering the best product for the application. Why is the Ford HOSS 2 and 3 not the perfect engineering solution?... cost. cost to manufacture. the exact same limitation EVERY manufacture has.

I guess growing up around engineers and then being in the midst of them for my whole life this seems like an excellent analysis that I find absolutely fascinating. Yes, Quinn has a tendency to pursue tangents but, they all are relevant to the discussion. Shortening it up to an executive summary misses the whole point of the video. Executive summary is nothing more than a sales pitch. buy my product it is better... this is about what makes a better product.

For me I am a geek for this stuff, IE: a glutton for punishment!🤣 I am not an engineer or mechanic but I can turn a solid wrench and love to do as many upgrades myself, if possible. This is a great overview of what I may get myself into and I am gonna do a deep dive on the other videos they have regarding installation. Knowing that it has to be in a specific order, up front, is something we need to heed and pay attention to.

Roughstock11, Darrel

Dec 01, 2023

#114

Unicorn
"If the warranty says you can’t change the tire size then let’s see that language"

If you care about the warranty do not change anything.....

This is a down in the weeds dissection of how to improve the one weak point in ALL IFS suspensions. It is about engineering the best product for the application. Why is the Ford HOSS 2 and 3 not the perfect engineering solution?... cost. cost to manufacture. the exact same limitation EVERY manufacture has.

I guess growing up around engineers and then being in the midst of them for my whole life this seems like a excellent analysis that I find absolutely fascinating. Yes, Quinn has a tendency to pursue tangents but, they all are relevant to the discussion. Shortening it up to a executive summary misses the whole point of the video. Executive summary is nothing more than a sales pitch. buy my product it is better... this is about what makes a better product.

I just need this info and then do my own research.

“.. this is about what makes a better product”.That entire CNC unit could probably be strong enough for any serious rock crawlers

Dec 01, 2023

#115

Ben221
I just need this info and then do my own research.

“.. this is about what makes a better product”.That entire CNC unit could probably be strong enough for any serious rock crawlers

What I find phenomenal is that the tolerances they are using do not even require a lash adjustment. The wide tolerance in the massed produced HOSS products requires that adjustment and it is that "slop" that is the reason for most failures.

I used to teach some classes in tolerancing at the university. The only way you get manufactured parts to the tolerances they are creating is by using VERY expensive equipment.

TK1215

Dec 01, 2023

#116

Tricky Dick
Mevotech and Dorman now have Broncos specific tie rods at OEM strength for a little cheaper which are also good spares. Dorman teased a stronger set as well but I have yet to see them for sale.

I'm very wary about making the tie rods too strong and breaking the rack instead. The Icons seem like a very nice product but I like the idea of a cheap fuse. I carry 2 cheap aftermarket Ranger tie rods just in case. In the event I finally break an OEM tie rod I'll switch to Ranger tie rods full time.

Looked up Dorman, and came across this Dorman promotional video. Strikes me as a strengthening upgrade, along the line of Icon. So if you (and I) are (am) decided upon using the tierod as a mechanical "fuse," Dorman is not the solution. Can you provide the part # on the Ranger replacements?

https://www.autopartsforum.com/topi...ods-for-ford-broncos-dorman-oe-fix-ta87445rd/

Dec 02, 2023

#117

BostonBadlands
Looked up Dorman, and came across this Dorman promotional video. Strikes me as a strengthening upgrade, along the line of Icon. So if you (and I) are (am) decided upon using the tierod as a mechanical "fuse," Dorman is not the solution. Can you provide the part # on the Ranger replacements?

https://www.autopartsforum.com/topi...ods-for-ford-broncos-dorman-oe-fix-ta87445rd/

EV317, 98-11 Ranger.

BostonBadlands

Dec 02, 2023

#118

Tricky Dick
EV317, 98-11 Ranger.

Thanks. I just might get them for trail spares.

Dec 02, 2023

#119

BostonBadlands
Thanks. I just might get them for trail spares.

The great thing is any podunk auto parts store is likely to have them. But if you order ahead of time online you can get off brands for $10-20. I took a dozen with me to the Safari lol, never know who might need one.

Deano Bronc, Jakob1972

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