21 Black Diamond Sasquatch is hard to control...WHAT'S WRONG?!

BuckinT
Apr 03, 2024

Rank 0

Apr 03, 2024

Hey there! 2021 Black Diamond Sasquatch is giving me a real headache lately and it's going to make its 2nd trip to the dealership next week. I'm at 60K miles currently and the following has been happening for approximately the last 5K miles. At around 35-40mph going over a normal road bump you can feel the Bronco hop a little in the rear. Around 50-55mph taking a bump a little bit faster makes it jump a lot! Almost like it's kicking out on a slippery road? Around 60-65mph one bump and you better have both hands on the wheel. I can control it for the most part after one bump but if there is more than one bump and no recovery time in between ... you might need some clean shorts! I've heard of the 'jeep death wobble' and wonder if this is similar to that? It most certainly feels like it would roll over.

I'm the original owner, original tires, and have LOVED every minute of having this Bronco up until this issue started. Now it's a pretty scary ride and far from enjoyable. I took it to a local Ford dealer (not where I purchased it was just closer) and had them give it a once over to check for broken parts (it's never been off-road) and they said everything appeared to be ok. They were unable to start tearing things apart hoping to find something because Ford wouldn't permit that. I tend to agree but I'm also not crazy...I know this vehicle and I know something is very, very wrong!

I have an appointment scheduled next week at the dealership where I purchased and have explained what's happening. Hopefully they either see something wrong or can provide some insight. The service manager asked if I was still riding original tires, yes. Could that be the issue? Sure they have 60K miles on them but there's still quite a lot of tread left. I also don't want to have to replace tires at this point to find out that does not stop what's been going on. I didn't appreciate the first dealership giving me the "well MA'AM it's a rougher vehicle so you can expect a rougher ride" excuse....because SIR I know this vehicle, I drive it every day, I know what to expect, what it can do and what just feels plain wrong. There's no way you can pass off what it's doing by being a "rough ride truck." NOPE!

Has anyone experienced this or can point me to a thread where this issue has been discussed? Other than the normal suspension checks, tires, what else would be causing this? Let's hear those ideas!!!!

I'd love some help if anyone can chime in! Thanks so much.
Deano Bronc

Rank 0

Apr 10, 2024

#20
I appreciate all the input! Things I've learned from reading ... I should have posted photos of my tire tread. πŸ˜‚ My quite a lot could vary from someone else's quite a lot but as long as it passes inspection without issue, that's where I feel comfortable saying "quite a lot"... I go back and forth a bit with folks thinking it's the tires, it could be I suppose. I'd rather pay for new tires than whatever else could be wrong. BUT I also don't want to be forced into new tires and find that it does not solve the issue. Then I just have new tires on a broken vehicle. Woo. I did question the tire rating of 35 and the door sticker of 39. Have they been overfilled this whole time and could that be the problem? Who knows.

The previous dealership said the shocks looked good...but looking good and testing things are two different things. Can Ford test them? Probably not. There doesn't appear to be a leak. I wish I had a Go Pro just to see for myself, it's really one hell of a ride....and YES I've since learned what the death wobble really looks like and no it's not thee death wobble. BUT my Bronco Wobble feels like the ride of death to me! Once there are too many consecutive bumps the whole car becomes erratic and the only way to solve the situation is to slow down. Pretty hard to do when the majority of my miles are highway. Going from 70 to 50 is not ideal in a high traffic situation.

She goes for her overnight slumber party tonight at the dealership and will hopefully find out something tomorrow!
Whatever it may be, please be covered under warranty or a cheap fix. AMEN!

I haven't quit yet...I did order a custom plate so that means at the very least I fix her up or trade her in for a new one! 😎
Deano Bronc, TK1215

I am of Scottish decent and I ride a Unicorn.

Apr 10, 2024

#21
I appreciate all the input! Things I've learned from reading ... I should have posted photos of my tire tread. πŸ˜‚ My quite a lot could vary from someone else's quite a lot but as long as it passes inspection without issue, that's where I feel comfortable saying "quite a lot"... I go back and forth a bit with folks thinking it's the tires, it could be I suppose. I'd rather pay for new tires than whatever else could be wrong. BUT I also don't want to be forced into new tires and find that it does not solve the issue. Then I just have new tires on a broken vehicle. Woo. I did question the tire rating of 35 and the door sticker of 39. Have they been overfilled this whole time and could that be the problem? Who knows.

The previous dealership said the shocks looked good...but looking good and testing things are two different things. Can Ford test them? Probably not. There doesn't appear to be a leak. I wish I had a Go Pro just to see for myself, it's really one hell of a ride....and YES I've since learned what the death wobble really looks like and no it's not thee death wobble. BUT my Bronco Wobble feels like the ride of death to me! Once there are too many consecutive bumps the whole car becomes erratic and the only way to solve the situation is to slow down. Pretty hard to do when the majority of my miles are highway. Going from 70 to 50 is not ideal in a high traffic situation.

She goes for her overnight slumber party tonight at the dealership and will hopefully find out something tomorrow!
Whatever it may be, please be covered under warranty or a cheap fix. AMEN!

I haven't quit yet...I did order a custom plate so that means at the very least I fix her up or trade her in for a new one! 😎

The only real way to test the shocks is to test drive it..... My money is still on the shocks. failing shocks will cause more up and down movement in the suspension. with more up and down movement the track arm moves farther along the arc moving the rear axle further left and right which is where you get bump steer. a failing shock also can not dampen the coil spring rebound so you get a secondary and even tertiary bounce hence the "takes time to recover". as the rear axle cycles up and down you will get bump steer to the driver and then passenger and then driver side.
Laura, Deano Bronc
Moderator

Life is a Highway

Apr 10, 2024

#22
I appreciate all the input! Things I've learned from reading ... I should have posted photos of my tire tread. πŸ˜‚ My quite a lot could vary from someone else's quite a lot but as long as it passes inspection without issue, that's where I feel comfortable saying "quite a lot"... I go back and forth a bit with folks thinking it's the tires, it could be I suppose. I'd rather pay for new tires than whatever else could be wrong. BUT I also don't want to be forced into new tires and find that it does not solve the issue. Then I just have new tires on a broken vehicle. Woo. I did question the tire rating of 35 and the door sticker of 39. Have they been overfilled this whole time and could that be the problem? Who knows.

The previous dealership said the shocks looked good...but looking good and testing things are two different things. Can Ford test them? Probably not. There doesn't appear to be a leak. I wish I had a Go Pro just to see for myself, it's really one hell of a ride....and YES I've since learned what the death wobble really looks like and no it's not thee death wobble. BUT my Bronco Wobble feels like the ride of death to me! Once there are too many consecutive bumps the whole car becomes erratic and the only way to solve the situation is to slow down. Pretty hard to do when the majority of my miles are highway. Going from 70 to 50 is not ideal in a high traffic situation.

She goes for her overnight slumber party tonight at the dealership and will hopefully find out something tomorrow!
Whatever it may be, please be covered under warranty or a cheap fix. AMEN!

I haven't quit yet...I did order a custom plate so that means at the very least I fix her up or trade her in for a new one! 😎
I am curious if you have had the tires balanced or if yours has the rear sway bar? I know that the MY 21 w/ Sasquatch originally did not have the sway bar and I don’t remember when it was made standard. I used to know all this stuff but it has been a couple of years now.

Gladesmen

Apr 10, 2024

#23
I am curious if you have had the tires balanced or if yours has the rear sway bar? I know that the MY 21 w/ Sasquatch originally did not have the sway bar and I don’t remember when it was made standard. I used to know all this stuff but it has been a couple of years now.
There is a list here. https://thebronconation.com/general...ges-and-my-updates-t.19672/page-2#post-294246
Bronco Nation 1100. Everglades, Desert Sand
Res: 7/30/20 ordered 1/22/21 reorder 10/15/21 changed to Everglades 3/9/22 schedule 8/29/22 bumped to 9/5; 9/7/22 blend, 9/9 Mods, 9/26/22 completed, 10/7 shipped, 11/3/22 delivery
Last edited by a moderator: Apr 10, 2024

Rank 0

Apr 11, 2024

#24
The verdict is in, shot shocks.
Laura, Adrenalin

I am of Scottish decent and I ride a Unicorn.

Apr 11, 2024

#25
Winner winner do I get a chicken dinner? Post number 3....

Sorry, just feels good to still be able to make a correct diagnosis over the internet....
I am glad you found the issue. Now you can fix it and it will ride much like it used to when you first fell in love with it.
Adrenalin, Jakob1972

Rank 0

Apr 12, 2024

#26
MMMM chicken dinner! Yes!! 😁

While I'm not happy to have to spend that kind of money, I don't mind getting it fixed so I can indeed enjoy my ride again. Nicer weather is coming so it will feel good to be able to enjoy her without fearing for my life.
Sven, Unicorn

I am of Scottish decent and I ride a Unicorn.

Apr 12, 2024

#27
MMMM chicken dinner! Yes!! 😁

While I'm not happy to have to spend that kind of money, I don't mind getting it fixed so I can indeed enjoy my ride again. Nicer weather is coming so it will feel good to be able to enjoy her without fearing for my life.

Sorry but 60000 miles is actually a little more life than I would expect from these shocks... Do let us know if this does fix the driving/tracking problem. I think it will.
Sven

Rank 0

Apr 13, 2024

#28
Picked her up today from the dealership and she feels brand new again. ❀
Jakob1972, Gyoja

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