Steering Gear Failure

[badlandscacti]

Posting this for visibility and in hopes that someone else benefits from my experience. Driving my 2022 Ford Bronco Badlands with just under 6,000 miles on it and the steering assist failure warning comes up and locks out my steering wheel. I was just trying to leave the grocery store parking lot and didn't drive it around town much that week. I had to get it towed to the dealership to get it looked at. I have 33" stock wheels, nothing too heavy, should be adequate for the factory steering rack..

They told me that I needed a new steering gear but the part is on backorder. Best part is that they don't have any loaners and there's no ETA on the part despite them emergency ordering it. I'm not sure if the entire housing unit and interiors are done for / if the boots are still salvageable or what exactly is wrong with it. The part that is on backorder:

Rack And Pinion Steering Gear
Part #: STE871 (MB3Z3504AV)

Seems like the related part on backorder is a specific tie rod and the assembly but can't exactly tell what's available from the site. That's all I've been able to figure out so far. I'm continuing to call around to other dealerships that are maybe more like Autonation to see what's out there and what can be done.. it's not fun and it's a lot of work but I know the dealership won't be doing it on my behalf.

Anyway, I know there is one other fellow Bronco owner experiencing this issue but feel free to comment if you have thoughts or ideas. I can't sit around and be told to do nothing while the dealership waits on a part that could take months to show up.

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[Ducati1098]

MB3Z-3504-AV is the complete steering rack including inner and outer tie rods. There are none available and on backorder like they said. ETA off backorder is 7/28, but I wouldn’t expect that to be correct or assume you will get one anytime around that date.

You may want to ask them if they can order a short rack instead. If your outer tie rods weren’t damaged, they should be able to order part number MB3Z-3504-A, which only includes inner tie rods, then reuse your outers if possible. This part number looks a little easier to acquire (although not by much)

 

[badlandscacti]

MB3Z-3504-AV is the complete steering rack including inner and outer tie rods. There are none available and on backorder like they said. ETA off backorder is 7/28, but I wouldn’t expect that to be correct or assume you will get one anytime around that date.

You may want to ask them if they can order a short rack instead. If your outer tie rods weren’t damaged, they should be able to order part number MB3Z-3504-A, which only includes inner tie rods, then reuse your outers if possible. This part number looks a little easier to acquire (although not by much)

Thanks for that. I’ll check again. I didn’t know that was the difference between those part numbers. My service advisor hasn’t been very helpful. I told him about the MB3Z-3504-A part bc I saw it online and he said the difference between those parts and why they couldn’t order that one is how they function with the computer system. I’m not sure how valid that is

 

[Ducati1098]

Thanks for that. I’ll check again. I didn’t know that was the difference between those part numbers. My service advisor hasn’t been very helpful. I told him about the MB3Z-3504-A part bc I saw it online and he said the difference between those parts and why they couldn’t order that one is how they function with the computer system. I’m not sure how valid that is

He probably just doesn’t know what he’s talking about.

If you DM me your VIN I can verify MB3Z-3504-A is correct and will work for your Bronco. Like I mentioned, the only difference is the lack of outer tie rods.

 

[badlandscacti]

He probably just doesn’t know what he’s talking about.

If you DM me your VIN I can verify MB3Z-3504-A is correct and will work for your Bronco. Like I mentioned, the only difference is the lack of outer tie rods.

Yep. My thoughts exactly. I'm checking the Autonation site too and it seems like they have a lot of the parts but some say "allow 3-5 days for processing" and some say "currently in stock". I'm just going to have to call the Ford dealership and ask what part specifically is broken and what can be salvaged (hopefully it's most of it and there isn't like a crack in the housing completely) and confirm where to get these parts whether it's Autonation or Ford. I can't imagine it's anything crazy because i've only driven this car in the city.

I used my VIN to confirm that MB3Z-3504-A will work but this specific spindle rod still shows as backordered. I'll send it over bc it's better than just having me check.
https://parts.ford.com/shop/en/us/s...kage)-p-mb3z3a130b?pdp=y#/sectionId:395088907

 

[Tuco76]

Posting this for visibility and in hopes that someone else benefits from my experience. Driving my 2022 Ford Bronco Badlands with just under 6,000 miles on it and the steering assist failure warning comes up and locks out my steering wheel. I was just trying to leave the grocery store parking lot and didn't drive it around town much that week. I had to get it towed to the dealership to get it looked at. I have 33" stock wheels, nothing too heavy, should be adequate for the factory steering rack..

They told me that I needed a new steering gear but the part is on backorder. Best part is that they don't have any loaners and there's no ETA on the part despite them emergency ordering it. I'm not sure if the entire housing unit and interiors are done for / if the boots are still salvageable or what exactly is wrong with it. The part that is on backorder:

Rack And Pinion Steering Gear
Part #: STE871 (MB3Z3504AV)

Seems like the related part on backorder is a specific tie rod and the assembly but can't exactly tell what's available from the site. That's all I've been able to figure out so far. I'm continuing to call around to other dealerships that are maybe more like Autonation to see what's out there and what can be done.. it's not fun and it's a lot of work but I know the dealership won't be doing it on my behalf.

Anyway, I know there is one other fellow Bronco owner experiencing this issue but feel free to comment if you have thoughts or ideas. I can't sit around and be told to do nothing while the dealership waits on a part that could take months to show up.

I'm in the exact same boat. Waiting for a part for a month and a half, with no ETA for it other than that it is "prioritized". And the summer ticks away while we wait....

 

[PWillette]

Yep. My thoughts exactly. I'm checking the Autonation site too and it seems like they have a lot of the parts but some say "allow 3-5 days for processing" and some say "currently in stock". I'm just going to have to call the Ford dealership and ask what part specifically is broken and what can be salvaged (hopefully it's most of it and there isn't like a crack in the housing completely) and confirm where to get these parts whether it's Autonation or Ford. I can't imagine it's anything crazy because i've only driven this car in the city.

I used my VIN to confirm that MB3Z-3504-A will work but this specific spindle rod still shows as backordered. I'll send it over bc it's better than just having me check.
https://parts.ford.com/shop/en/us/steering-tie-rod-end-spindle-rod-connecting-end-left-(adrenalin-package)-p-mb3z3a130b?pdp=y#/sectionId:395088907

I have a couple of these tie rod end/spindles available if it will help you out. They are used but in VG condition. I think they'll fit in a small USPS flat rate box. If interested I can send them your way for the cost of the box...$11 I believe.

 

[rtaylor]

Anyway, I know there is one other fellow Bronco owner experiencing this issue but feel free to comment if you have thoughts or ideas. I can't sit around and be told to do nothing while the dealership waits on a part that could take months to show up.

If you get desperate, I have a used one from 2022 Badlands (removed to install hoss3 rack). It has driver-side broncbuster bushing installed. Complete rack with rods/boots. You would need to ask your dealer if they will install used part under warranty. You can have it for the core charge of $400 plus ups shipping from Boise.

 

[badlandscacti]

Yeah, definitely not something the dealership will cover / consider and the service advisor can’t tell me specifically which parts associated with the steering rack are actually in need of repair. They also won’t “salvage” any parts that could be reused because the Ford guidance is to replace the entire module. Appreciate everyone’s input and willingness to help

 

[BobaFetz]

I’ve been dealing with this exact issue for months. Towed to dealership on 5/4 and Ford still has no ETA.

 

[Ford Motor Company]

I’ve been dealing with this exact issue for months. Towed to dealership on 5/4 and Ford still has no ETA.

Hey there. I can look into your Bronco’s concerns on my end if you’d like. Will you send us a private message with your VIN and dealership info?

 

[Dads_bronze_bronco]

Too bad you can’t get them to upgrade you to the Hose 3.0 rack. (Would be worth paying any difference in cost.)

 

[RC Bronco]

If I had this happen to me AGAIN, I'd be shelling out the coin for a HOSS 3.0 rack. Sorry OP, I hope Ford gets it together ASAP for ya

 

[badlandscacti]

update — I was able to get this issue fixed. It turns out they ordered the wrong part and only came to realize that after I spoke with the parts department and asked about the other rack and pinion (not on backorder) that fit my VIN, (part # mentioned in an earlier comment). I haven’t had this issue come up since. not sure if I’ll consider spending the coin on an upgraded rack and pinion - I think 74 weld has a setup a lot of people are interested in.

Thanks for everyone’s helpful comments and hope someone can benefit from this

 

[Buttercup.the.bronco]

I am on week 3 of this issue Currently driving a dealership Ford Ranger, which I am very thankful for. But I drove by the other day and they had mine parked out front in the overflow and I got pretty upset Looks like I should prepare for a longer wait

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