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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Feb 03, 2024

#140

Bronco V-8
Why don't they just put the heavy duty parts on it?
Don't want to hear about cost or weight, with the 10k price increase they should put the parts on and eat the cost.

Well as of 24 all SAS Broncos will be getting the HOSS 3 Steering rack. After all it is the Wildtrack and the Badlands that are intended to tackle a higher degree of difficulty trails. Afterall I think the other optional editions are either intended not to see off road use or lighter duty use with the caveat that many owners will address any weaknesses on their own over time through the aftermarket....

Afterall the steering is the weak link in any and all IFS vehicles. It is a matter of tolerancing for the parts (namely the housing and therefore the bushings) in a mass production environment.

EDIT: After all... after rereading ... I think I need to use the words after all more often....

Deano Bronc, Jakob1972

Feb 04, 2024

#141

"After all it is the Wildtrack and the Badlands that are intended to tackle a higher degree of difficulty trails. Afterall I think the other optional editions are either intended not to see off road use or lighter duty use"

Really? if thats the case Ford missed the mark(et) by a long shot. The cheaper vehicles always get more punishment than more expensive. ones. Been offroading going on 50 years. Never seen a Range Rover or high end/cost 4x4 in the woods,

Joined May 29, 2020 Member 546
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BostonBadlands

Feb 04, 2024

#142

Bronco V-8
"After all it is the Wildtrack and the Badlands that are intended to tackle a higher degree of difficulty trails. Afterall I think the other optional editions are either intended not to see off road use or lighter duty use"

Really? if thats the case Ford missed the mark(et) by a long shot. The cheaper vehicles always get more punishment than more expensive. ones. Been offroading going on 50 years. Never seen a Range Rover or high end/cost 4x4 in the woods,

I understand your perspective.... I just do not think it is Ford marketing perspective. I have been off roading for about 40 years... so maybe you know more than me and you should run Ford Marketing.... Hell, lets just set them all up for the trail and starting price can be $100,000..... nothing to bitch about then.

JoergH, Deano Bronc

Feb 04, 2024

#143

Bronco V-8
"After all it is the Wildtrack and the Badlands that are intended to tackle a higher degree of difficulty trails. Afterall I think the other optional editions are either intended not to see off road use or lighter duty use"

Really? if thats the case Ford missed the mark(et) by a long shot. The cheaper vehicles always get more punishment than more expensive. ones. Been offroading going on 50 years. Never seen a Range Rover or high end/cost 4x4 in the woods,

You have to remember that Ford is in this to make as much money as they possibly can..... NOT to make the perfect vehicle for you. Making that one is up to you. They want to sell a vehicle that has the highest margin. Yes reputation is important. That is a big part of selling a high margin vehicle. the top of the line more expensive vehicles are suppose to be aspirational. I understand what you want..... but that is not exactly what is in Fords best interest.

extra toasty

Feb 04, 2024

#144

Unicorn
You have to remember that Ford is in this to make as much money as they possibly can..... NOT to make the perfect vehicle for you. Making that one is up to you. They want to sell a vehicle that has the highest margin. Yes reputation is important. That is a big part of selling a high margin vehicle. the top of the line more expensive vehicles are suppose to be aspirational. I understand what you want..... but that is not exactly what is in Fords best interest.

.Ford marketing cost the company billions BILLIONS of dollars with the mistakes they have made by canceling sedans/cars and their foray into EVS. A retarded monkey could do a better job.
If Ford can't make money on the base vehicle they are in the wrong business.
Most of the content on the higher trims is electronic doodads and geegaws, with electronics its easy to make a high mark up, but there should be tangible goods to justify the higher price.All of the tangible parts could be had on a base model with the Sasquatch package.

Joined May 29, 2020 Member 546
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Feb 04, 2024

#145

Bronco V-8
.Ford marketing cost the company billions BILLIONS of dollars with the mistakes they have made by canceling sedans/cars and their foray into EVS. A retarded monkey could do a better job.
If Ford can't make money on the base vehicle they are in the wrong business.
Most of the content on the higher trims is electronic doodads and geegaws, with electronics its easy to make a high mark up, but there should be tangible goods to justify the higher price.All of the tangible parts could be had on a base model with the Sasquatch package.

Funny that Wall street seems to think Ford is doing something right..... And well that is the measurement rod that Ford is going by these days. Not saying it is right. I am saying it is a really really tough market and the people who gamble their own money like what Ford is doing... for now.

Show me a company that is doing better....

Feb 04, 2024

#146

Unicorn
I understand your perspective.... I just do not think it is Ford marketing perspective. I have been off roading for about 40 years... so maybe you know more than me and you should run Ford Marketing.... Hell, lets just set them all up for the trail and starting price can be $100,000..... nothing to bitch about then.

That's the "angle" we took on Ford's choice of tie rods. It kept the overall cost down to not build them for hard/extreme off-roading. And then to make the "weak-link" the tie rod, which is not expensive, small & easy to carry, can be replaced on the trail.

Hi y'all, Lauri here and I am the proud owner of a MY21 Badlands, SAS, 2.7 auto, 4 door, soft top, Cactus Gray, no reservation, ordered 9/11/21, Took delivery 1/8/22!

JJACK502, Deano Bronc

Feb 04, 2024

#147

Darrel
That's the "angle" we took on Ford's choice of tie rods. It kept the overall cost down to not build them for hard/extreme off-roading. And then to make the "weak-link" the tie rod, which is not expensive, small & easy to carry, can be replaced on the trail.

I upgraded my steering and I am going to tell you it is very expensive because it takes an entirely different manufacturing process to get rid of all the tolerance (lash) and I just do not know how you could cost effectively mass produce a product like this. The cost of the infrastructure (tooling) alone would be astronomical to be able to produce the quantities required..... And to be honest most people do not need the upgrade. I could have lived without it but I wanted as bullet proof as I could get and I had the money to do it. It is definitely not for every one.

Cornwelltoolman, Deano Bronc

Feb 04, 2024

#148

Going back..... If you're not turning or hopping with the front locked, how likely are you to break the tie rod?
On a bone stock vehicle

Sven, Darrel

Feb 04, 2024

#149

Lots O Fords
Going back..... If you're not turning or hopping with the front locked, how likely are you to break the tie rod?
On a bone stock vehicle

If you're not turning or hopping with the front locked and you are stock: Probably not very likely. I only have anecdotal evidence and it mostly seems to be Larger tires with a locked front end when turning or hopping. There are some with stock set up but again.... turning or hopping. Larger tires seem to exacerbate the problem.

CalvinT, Deano Bronc

Feb 04, 2024

#150

Unicorn
If you're not turning or hopping with the front locked and you are stock: Probably not very likely. I only have anecdotal evidence and it mostly seems to be Larger tires with a locked front end when turning or hopping. There are some with stock set up but again.... turning or hopping. Larger tires seem to exacerbate the problem.

Thanks, that's kinda what I thought.
I know my old jeep with Armstrong steering and a limited slip front axle is a bear to turn. If it was a full lock like an arb it would be impossible to turn. With manual steering the weak link is the nut behind the wheel...lol

Unicorn, Kenneth

Feb 04, 2024

#151

Here's a question. Has anyone who's bronco does NOT have a front locker option ever broken a tie rod?

Darrel

Feb 05, 2024

#152

Unicorn
Funny that Wall street seems to think Ford is doing something right..... And well that is the measurement rod that Ford is going by these days. Not saying it is right. I am saying it is a really really tough market and the people who gamble their own money like what Ford is doing... for now.

Show me a company that is doing better....

Stellantis stock is doing a lot better than Ford stock.

Joined May 29, 2020 Member 546
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Feb 05, 2024

#153

Bronco V-8
Stellantis stock is doing a lot better than Ford stock.

Not in the last twelve months…

Stellantis low to high…. 15.07–> 23.66. Increase of 57%
Ford low to high. 9.63—>15.42. Increase of 60%

Riding OB1, 23 4- door Outer Banks, SAS, MOD, MIC, Lux, Ordered 10/20/22, delivered 1/13/23

Unicorn

Feb 05, 2024

#154

Lots O Fords
Here's a question. Has anyone who's bronco does NOT have a front locker option ever broken a tie rod?

That is a GREAT question… following…

Riding OB1, 23 4- door Outer Banks, SAS, MOD, MIC, Lux, Ordered 10/20/22, delivered 1/13/23

Unicorn, PSUTE

Feb 05, 2024

#155

Bronco V-8
"After all it is the Wildtrack and the Badlands that are intended to tackle a higher degree of difficulty trails. Afterall I think the other optional editions are either intended not to see off road use or lighter duty use"

Really? if thats the case Ford missed the mark(et) by a long shot. The cheaper vehicles always get more punishment than more expensive. ones. Been offroading going on 50 years. Never seen a Range Rover or high end/cost 4x4 in the woods,

And yet there are now MANY high end (Badlands, Wildtrak, Raptor) Broncos which seem to be finding their way into the wild (off-road)… With higher costs comes much more than just electronics, but the electronics certainly play a part…. Upgraded and higher end suspension and steering parts are present in more expensive models…

Given the current level of prices and (still) long waits for newly built Broncos, I would disagree that Ford has missed the mark(et)… The Bronco has been, and continues to be, a monster success story for Ford.

Riding OB1, 23 4- door Outer Banks, SAS, MOD, MIC, Lux, Ordered 10/20/22, delivered 1/13/23

Sozzy1269, Unicorn

Feb 05, 2024

#156

Lots O Fords
Here's a question. Has anyone who's bronco does NOT have a front locker option ever broken a tie rod?

We were on a trail ride where a tie rod broke and they didn't have their front locker on. They were climbing a ldge with 2 rocks at the bottom that had just enough room between them to fit both front tires in-between them. But, as they started climbing without the locker, the rear basically pushed the Bronco into the ledge and one of the rocks.
I think there is a video on how to use the front locker. They say to get lined up for the obstacle and then turn your front locker on.
It makes sense to me.

Hi y'all, Lauri here and I am the proud owner of a MY21 Badlands, SAS, 2.7 auto, 4 door, soft top, Cactus Gray, no reservation, ordered 9/11/21, Took delivery 1/8/22!

Deano Bronc, Roughstock11

Feb 08, 2024

#157

Bronco V-8
Stellantis stock is doing a lot better than Ford stock.

Jl's are breaking steering knuckles. wich is an easier trail fix?

Darrel, Unicorn

Feb 08, 2024

#158

Cornwelltoolman
Jl's are breaking steering knuckles. wich is an easier trail fix?

Lol! Jeff broke his steering knuckle on his CJ7 on Broad Canyon in Las Cruces NM. Thankfully Pat Gremillion was with his (he sold on-board welding set ups back in the day and wheeled EG Broncos). Jeff had a huge wrench and they welded it to the steering knuckle. Only took an hour or so. Easy peasy-not!
But it held for about 3 more years, until he moved the drive train to a newer frame and replaced axles and steering components.
You have to have some McGiver in you if you want to wheel. Stuff happens.

Hi y'all, Lauri here and I am the proud owner of a MY21 Badlands, SAS, 2.7 auto, 4 door, soft top, Cactus Gray, no reservation, ordered 9/11/21, Took delivery 1/8/22!

Deano Bronc, Jakob1972

Feb 08, 2024

#159

Darrel
Lol! Jeff broke his steering knuckle on his CJ7 on Broad Canyon in Las Cruces NM. Thankfully Pat Gremillion was with his (he sold on-board welding set ups back in the day and wheeled EG Broncos). Jeff had a huge wrench and they welded it to the steering knuckle. Only took an hour or so. Easy peasy-not!
But it held for about 3 more years, until he moved the drive train to a newer frame and replaced axles and steering components.
You have to have some McGiver in you if you want to wheel. Stuff happens.

Premier Power welders are the Shytt.

21 Badlands, 2 dr, four banger, slushbox, SAS. PERFECT!

Darrel, Unicorn

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