Steering Rack Issue

[bustedbronco]

I'm wondering if anyone has heard of a steering rack going out on a badlands from normal street driving. I recently added eibach coilovers (2 inch lift) with 35 inch tires and new wheels to my Badlands. The car had 1K miles on it and now it has 1.3K on it and the steering rack went out. Talked to several people about this and nobody has heard of rack going out with my set up that's never hit the dirt. Currently, Ford is refusing to warranty because of the lift and larger tires. From the research I have done, it seems Ford knows the rack is not high quality and will be using a better version in the next model year. I guess "Lift me baby" stamped on our bronco does not really mean anything. If you have experience something similar would appreciate hearing from you and what you ended up doing.

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[PWillette]

What scenario when the rack broke...just driving down the road? The rack on these isn't the most robust piece of equipment but should certainly be able to handle a 2" lift city driving w/o issue.

 

[userdude]

How did the rack fail?

 

[bustedbronco]

I was parked next to a curb, put the car in drive and within a few feet heard a noise. Immediately after the steering was making noise and the steering wheel was vibrating. I called the dealer and immediately took it to them. they looked at, said they put smaller tires on it and it was fine. After I got it back, I called Ford Customer Service and they said to take it back. Took it back, this time there top tech looked at it and said the rack is bad. Because of low mileage, ford wanted pictures and they are denying the claim.

 

[PWillette]

Something fishy here. A non-Sas BL has the same rack as Sas which comes stock w/ 35s so the larger tire really shouldn't be the cause. So the dealer says smaller tires fixed the issue than did a 180 and now they say the rack is pooched. I'd be looking for a more detailed explanation...it's up to the dealer/Ford to prove that the lift and tires are the cause of the rack failure. Were the coil overs installed professionally?

 

[userdude]

A description of the failure would be the bushing is warped or the housing is cracked. Get them to tell you specifically what is wrong. "The rack is bad" isn't really a diagnosis. It also sounds like Ford thinks something was worn out, but 300 miles, that'd have to be a pretty hard and out of whack setup and I would've thought you'd feel/hear it straining or moaning before hand.

@PWillette If Ford's engineers have reviewed and denied, is there recourse here?

 

[bustedbronco]

Something fishy here. A non-Sas BL has the same rack as Sas which comes stock w/ 35s so the larger tire really shouldn't be the cause. So the dealer says smaller tires fixed the issue than did a 180 and now they say the rack is pooched. I'd be looking for a more detailed explanation...it's up to the dealer/Ford to prove that the lift and tires are the cause of the rack failure. Were the coil overs installed professionally?

It was a very strange initial interaction with the dealer during my first visit. This was the reason I called ford about it. The coil overs, tires and wheels were professionally installed by a well-known local shop. I'm currently trying to get a more detailed explanation. unlike other manufactures ford does not allow you to talk to anyone other than the dealer and a standard customer service. All the person kept saying was that I modified your car.

 

[Dmorty217]

Your dealership is the problem, not the lift or tires that come stock on a sas bronco with the exact same rack. Call ford customer service back and talk to them. Also I would find another dealership

 

[bjpatten]

Something fishy here. A non-Sas BL has the same rack as Sas which comes stock w/ 35s so the larger tire really shouldn't be the cause. So the dealer says smaller tires fixed the issue than did a 180 and now they say the rack is pooched. I'd be looking for a more detailed explanation...it's up to the dealer/Ford to prove that the lift and tires are the cause of the rack failure. Were the coil overs installed professionally?

I agree. I have a non-SAS and have a 1 1/2" leveling kit, original Bilstiens, Fabtech tie-rods and 35" tires. I have wheeled mine a lot at Sand Hollow on crazy rated trails and I haven't had a problem.

 

[RC Bronco]

My rack failed out of the blue (no issues with tie rods) with stock wheels, tires, and suspension (non-Sas BD). No clue what caused the failure, noticed it on the way home from the Ozarks region when steering wheel failed to return to center and was binding on slight left turns

Was approved as a warranty claim and replaced by the dealer after several days

 

[BigMeatsBronco]

I would demand the upgraded hoss 3.0 replacement (just for the hassle) and threaten a social media video on this if they don't comply.

 

[bustedbronco]

Thanks. I'm working on that right now. It's a nightmare. I'm hoping to hear from more folks that have had their rack go out during normal driving.

 

[huey]

keep us up to date & good luck!
Nothing more to add, as others have mentioned the truck has a factory option with 35's and that rack so it's not the tire size. Unfortunately a different dealer also seems to be needed

 

[Snacktime]

I killed mine Wheeling but the dealer also declined the repair. None of the local dealers around me would touch it. The good news is if you buy a hoss 3.0 rack it will bolt in. Then if you need help programming it I am in Sacramento.

I would open a case with Ford first. The out-of-pocket cost for a new steering rack is pretty steep.

 

[bustedbronco]

I killed mine Wheeling but the dealer also declined the repair. None of the local dealers around me would touch it. The good news is if you buy a hoss 3.0 rack it will bolt in. Then if you need help programming it I am in Sacramento.

I would open a case with Ford first. The out-of-pocket cost for a new steering rack is pretty steep.

how much did you pay for the Hoss 3.0?

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