Tie rod just snapped while turning around in driveway [Update: Replaced Under Warranty]

[DaBroncstah]

I look at every bronco I see that's parked to see if they've upgraded/etc their tie rods. I've yet to ever see any paint pen marks on any of them, including my own.

this is very interesting! We’re getting closer…

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[dgorsett]

So, if you can't: turn when stopped, turn off road, turn on grass, turn while backing up, align, put on a lift to service and have to carry a spare from a 2004 Ranger (thanks TD) maybe a recall is in order?

 

[DaBroncstah]

The paint marks on the tie rod. Green line doesn't line up and looks like it was crossed out with a pink marker. I would guess the green line was the factory marking when the alignment was originally done and another alignment done after. I could be wrong, maybe someone with factory knowledge knows how this works. The bent tie rod is interesting too. Maybe it was bent before, under stress, and finally just gave up the ghost.

heres a video I took:

 

[dgorsett]

My Bronco, which has never been out of my possession, has the pink marks also. They were on it from the factory.

 

[gwp]

Well what I thought would never happened happened.

I just got my babe back from getting the recalls done on it and literally not even an hour after having it back I was turning around in my driveway and the tie rod snapped . I’m completely stock with 33s!

I thought tie rods were only snapping on off roading conditions but I guess not! This sucks

I thought tie rods were only snapping on off roading conditions but I guess not! This sucks

This is concerning. It’s only a matter of time before one breaks at speed on the highway and someone gets hurt. I too suspect a quality issue with the rod itself. They are too brittle. They should bend a fair amount before snapping - and breakage should only occur once bending limits have been met, or when huge tensile loads are applied. Even it was bent earlier it should not fracture under low stress.

Having said that, I broke an outer TRE while slowly parking in a brand new Ram 2500 in 2010. The spindle snapped clean off where it meets the knuckle - a big beefy part broke like peanut brittle. A jagged grainy break in the steel suggested a defect in material, not design. I think the same is going on here.

Would love to see a broken part examined by a metallurgist. Any University engineering school near you that can put the part under a scope and render opinion?

 

[Ground_zero298]

It would be nice if @Ford Motor Company had some sort of input

They just need your vin number to see what they can do on their end.

 

[wbrainbow]

Is this going to join the 2.7 debacle with the NHTSA? Tie rods breaking at the least provocation sounds like a bigger hazard then sucking valves.

 

[DaBroncstah]

This is concerning. It’s only a matter of time before one breaks at speed on the highway and someone gets hurt. I too suspect a quality issue with the rod itself. They are too brittle. They should bend a fair amount before snapping - and breakage should only occur once bending limits have been met, or when huge tensile loads are applied. Even it was bent earlier it should not fracture under low stress.

Having said that, I broke an outer TRE while slowly parking in a brand new Ram 2500 in 2010. The spindle snapped clean off where it meets the knuckle - a big beefy part broke like peanut brittle. A jagged grainy break in the steel suggested a defect in material, not design. I think the same is going on here.

Would love to see a broken part examined by a metallurgist. Any University engineering school near you that can put the part under a scope and render opinion?

this is a great response. NC State is a great engineering school so maybe I’ll ask some friends that go there? I agree with the problem in material I think you’re right!

 

[okbob]

My Bronco, which has never been out of my possession, has the pink marks also. They were on it from the factory.

What's your build date?

 

[dejones64]

These trucks have a very tight turning radius. Turn the steering wheel to full lock and put some pressure on it might just snap it.

We’re you at full lock?

 

[BroncoB]

that is very interesting!!! Very interesting indeed. I’m going to look at my other tie rod and see

Don't get worked up over the paint marks. Sorry I brought it up. I just looked at mine and I also have green and purple marks (the Joker do our alignments?), just not as sloppy a job as they did on yours and I never noticed the green before.

 

[Tarheel_Wes]

Well what I thought would never happened happened.

I just got my babe back from getting the recalls done on it and literally not even an hour after having it back I was turning around in my driveway and the tie rod snapped . I’m completely stock with 33s!

I thought tie rods were only snapping on off roading conditions but I guess not! This sucks

More info/answer:




as I said earlier I’m being completely truthful. No curb smacking has happened unless someone stole it in the dead of night and took it for a joy ride. The dealership idea might be correct though, they did do an inspection so maybe they lifted it up and something happened? I’m not sure but I am sure that I’m telling the truth.

I get where you’re coming from though with being suspicious (people always tell major stories and leave out key details) but I promise I’m telling you everything that I’ve done!!

oh no Hadley!
Welcome to the club! Ha

 

[DaBroncstah]

Don't get worked up over the paint marks. Sorry I brought it up. I just looked at mine and I also have green and purple marks (the Joker do our alignments?), just not as sloppy a job as they did on yours and I never noticed the green before.

LOL well thanks for being honest. It was a good thought!

 

[DaBroncstah]

These trucks have a very tight turning radius. Turn the steering wheel to full lock and put some pressure on it might just snap it.

We’re you at full lock?

not when it snapped. It happened as I was turning but yes good idea!

 

[DaBroncstah]

oh no Hadley!
Welcome to the club! Ha

hi Wesley!! At least you did yours while doing something cool Mine was probable the stupidest way to snap one LOL

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