Snapped a Tie Rod … thankful for trail mates

[Tarheel_Wes]

Hey guys…. We had a great group of Broncos this morning out at Uwharrie in central North Carolina….

I was the only guy rolling on 33s in a stock Black Diamond.

Got myself stuck on a rock, and one of the guys used a kinetic rope to pull me off…but when my left front tire caught traction…the tie rod snapped like a chicken bone.

Thanks to @Mountains2Metal for having the @BroncoBuster tie rod braces to get me off the trail…

And then thanks for @Tricky Dick and @Copperhorse73 for installing a 2004 Ranger tie rod to get me home.

Great lesson on never wheeling alone.

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[Midlife Crisis]

That looked like a great day!

 

[Tarheel_Wes]

Couple videos:

 

[Copperhorse73]

We never leave a man behind.

 

[Tarheel_Wes]

We never leave a man behind.

Thanks again man. Saved my ass.

 

[greenmachine343]

so is this a design flaw? does ford have to upgrade these rods and the steering rack or will it make the problem worse and move it up the line?

 

[Jazer]

Oh man, that stinks.. but what a great group of people to help you out, love it!

 

[Tricky Dick]

so is this a design flaw? does ford have to upgrade these rods and the steering rack or will it make the problem worse and move it up the line?

It broke for a different reason than the ones I've seen up til now. The rest have all been big tired and beat on. Wes was yanked off a rock and the tire came down and at an angle. I thought the tire was going to debead at first.

This is something to keep in mind and carry a spare, but nothing to be paranoid over.

 

[DaveInSA]

It broke for a different reason than the ones I've seen up til now. The rest have all been big tired and beat on. Wes was yanked off a rock and the tire came down and at an angle. I thought the tire was going to debead at first.

This is something to keep in mind and carry a spare, but nothing to be paranoid over.

Thus begins my search for most common spare parts to carry with me...
Anyone got a recommendation/part numbers?

 

[Tricky Dick]

Thus begins my search for most common spare parts to carry with me...
Anyone got a recommendation/part numbers?

I don't remember the original bronco part number off hand, and there's no aftermarket one out yet, but you could order one through a dealer. We got Wes home with an EV317, meant for old gen Rangers. Perfect fit.

 

[Tarheel_Wes]

I don't remember the original bronco part number off hand, and there's no aftermarket one out yet, but you could order one through a dealer. We got Wes home with an EV317, meant for old gen Rangers. Perfect fit.

Yea

I can’t tell anything driving

But I’m taking it dealer just to TRY to warranty this. And make sure I’m ok on my alignment.

 

[Tricky Dick]

You want the inner tie rod, the outers are holding up. They run $70-100 each from what I've seen from various dealers.

 

[broadicustomworks]

Couple videos:

Glad y’all could make it out today, glad the crew on your team was there, watching your back and pitching in.
Stuff like that goes a really long way to a testament of character.
I recognize all that. The Uwharrie I have come to have a love/hate relationship with, but keep coming back for more.
I’ll work on another trip this summer, hope to see y’all come back!

 

[Tarheel_Wes]

Glad y’all could make it out today, glad the crew on your team was there, watching your back and pitching in.
Stuff like that goes a really long way to a testament of character.
I recognize all that. The Uwharrie I have come to have a love/hate relationship with, but keep coming back for more.
I’ll work on another trip this summer, hope to see y’all come back!

Awesome and thanks for being in on organizing this one.

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