Bronco Tie Rod Heim Kit by Fabtech

[mike8675309]

I assumed you didn’t look at the Fabtech offering as you see they are Teflon but not rebuildable.

I was speaking rod ends in general. Making them Teflon helps in some regards but doesn't necessarily help others.

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[BossMann]

Hard pass. There will be/are cheaper options with quality.

 

[Bronco Don]

My bronco with the lift I put on is now standing on her tippy toes so I am thinking on something like this soon.

 

[rtazz17]

Wow,sticker shock and then the rack breaks soon after possibly… I think I would rather carry a few dozen oem tie rods for same cost and replace those on trail vs replacing my rack after a tow.

 

[BroncoBarn]

Carry factory spares, it’s a weak link for a reason. You wouldn’t take out a shear pin on a big snow blower and put in a hardened pin.

 

[projectbadlands]

I have this heim kit and my bronco was involved in a collision where the bolt on the outer tie rod end sheared and lost the bolts and hardware. Are you able to order them separately from the complete kit? Fabtech says they sell them separately but I have to go through a vendor and won't sell it to me directly.

 

[BroncoAZ]

I have this heim kit and my bronco was involved in a collision where the bolt on the outer tie rod end sheared and lost the bolts and hardware. Are you able to order them separately from the complete kit? Fabtech says they sell them separately but I have to go through a vendor and won't sell it to me directly.

I would try Kartek, I used to buy all my heims and shock parts there from Shock Mike 🪦. https://www.kartek.com/

 

[projectbadlands]

I would try Kartek, I used to buy all my heims and shock parts there from Shock Mike 🪦. https://www.kartek.com/

Fabtech actually reached out to me directly right after I posted this and will be helping me get all the necessary parts to get me back on the road!! Bad ass customer service!!

 

[SlowPoke]

Questions are welcome, we are here to help.
The stock tie rods are the known weak point on any IFS system. Our Broncos are not immune from that problem. Look at the comparison pics. When torque is applied to the front wheel the natural physics want to pull and bend the weakest link, the tie rod. Also hitting rocks from the side bends the weakest link.

I have been sitting on a set for two months. Haven't found a shop yet that will install them. can you please post an installation video? I mean, it looks straight forward, but you never know if there's some small nuance that could be missed and cause problems. I'm mostly unsure about the inner portion that ties into the steering box.

 

[Mahin2021]

seems expensive until you realize that BronBuster braces are $400

That is rediculous and a rip off. Their justification is you save on labor

 

[Mahin2021]

Then don't take it out on a trail.

Legit question

 

[swooshdave]

Legit question

Legit answer. Rack failures have been pretty rare.

 

[dahoneybadga]

Legit answer. Rack failures have been pretty rare.

Thanks for answering the questions here. So much information on this forum that it's super hard to see anyone give reasonable answers instead of just options based off of one persons youtube video or post. I had these installed about a week ago to go with my 37s and an Icon Stage 3 suspension. Was trying to determine if it truly is necessary to upgrade steering rack and wanted to see people's thoughts.

Only question is, thoughts on a steering upgrade then? I do moderate off-roading (nothing super intense) and will be going to Moab here in about 2 months and curious on your opinion.

 

[swooshdave]

Thanks for answering the questions here. So much information on this forum that it's super hard to see anyone give reasonable answers instead of just options based off of one persons youtube video or post. I had these installed about a week ago to go with my 37s and an Icon Stage 3 suspension. Was trying to determine if it truly is necessary to upgrade steering rack and wanted to see people's thoughts.

Only question is, thoughts on a steering upgrade then? I do moderate off-roading (nothing super intense) and will be going to Moab here in about 2 months and curious on your opinion.

Plan for the best, prepare for the worse.

I'm just an 'internet expert" but if it were me (and I'm going to Moab in June) and I'm paying close attention to the actual experts and how they say to drive an IRS in those environments. Which is to not hammer the front end going over rocks. Especially if the tire is jammed. Use common sense. And carry tie rods.

If there is one steering upgrade I am thinking about doing it's the Broncbuster bushing. I can clearly see how that helps support the rack. I think that with beefier tie rods or braces are a great first step.

 

[Nexgenbronco]

Plan for the best, prepare for the worse.

I'm just an 'internet expert" but if it were me (and I'm going to Moab in June) and I'm paying close attention to the actual experts and how they say to drive an IRS in those environments. Which is to not hammer the front end going over rocks. Especially if the tire is jammed. Use common sense. And carry tie rods.

If there is one steering upgrade I am thinking about doing it's the Broncbuster bushing. I can clearly see how that helps support the rack. I think that with beefier tie rods or braces are a great first step.

You are correct about hammering the front end against rocks. The main issue is if the wheel gets in jam against an obstruction to its side, do not force it. That is when the bushing in the rack gives out. This is not a new problem. Electric rack and pinions have been around since the late 2000's and drivers have been known to jam them against parking curbs causing damage.

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