Windrock Broke my Bronco (Tie Rod)!

[Tricky Mike]

something I’ve realized after going through multiple skid plates is straight bolt heads are better. Everything else can’t be removed without being a pain when mushroomed. At least bolt heads can be snagged with vice grips still.

Agreed, and if you're really in a bad way you could clean them up with a grinder or even a file. My stock 15mm bolts will be a 9/16 soon.

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[87-Z28]

When I unscrewed the threads off the tie rod end I counted the rotations and re threaded the same amount. Good idea in theory but was still out pretty bad.
Since only one side broke you can do a "red neck" alignment by holding the steering wheel straight driving down the road and incrementally tow the broke side in a few turns then drive again to check and repeat to get it back straight(ish) still will need an alignment though when you get home.

yeah. When ever I do anything the trial and error method it ends up mostly error.

 

[Big Boss]

Anybody else look at that and think that doesn't look like mild terrain or just me lol

 

[@BadBlueBronco]

"light wheeling" proceeds to show his bronco at the bottom of a pit of rocks lol glad you had a spare.

 

[Ford Motor Company]

First chance I have had to take out my 2dr Basemansquatch. Really impressed with the "Out of the box" package. 2 days of pretty mild wheeling and right before dark on day two the tie rod let loose. I was actually shocked on how mild the terrain was when it did. I was locked up in the front at the time. I brought the Trickydicky trail kit and actually had to use it. Not real interested in adding a bunch of band aids to this weak ass rack. Probably skip the incrementall buildup/breakdown regiment and pick up a 74 Weld setup and be done. Dont go into the woods without a spare tie rod (or two) and the tools to swap. You have been warned!!!

Hi there, I'd be happy to look into your Bronco concerns on my end. Will you send us a message with your VIN and dealership info? I can look into things on my end.

 

[level3looper]

First chance I have had to take out my 2dr Basemansquatch. Really impressed with the "Out of the box" package. 2 days of pretty mild wheeling and right before dark on day two the tie rod let loose. I was actually shocked on how mild the terrain was when it did. I was locked up in the front at the time. I brought the Trickydicky trail kit and actually had to use it. Not real interested in adding a bunch of band aids to this weak ass rack. Probably skip the incrementall buildup/breakdown regiment and pick up a 74 Weld setup and be done. Dont go into the woods without a spare tie rod (or two) and the tools to swap. You have been warned!!!

I see that Tricky Dick is offering OEM or Aftermarket. Which did you go with? I'm beginning to think the Aftermarket can't be worse than this OEM product.

 

[Red Squatch]

Hi there, I'd be happy to look into your Bronco concerns on my end. Will you send us a message with your VIN and dealership info? I can look into things on my end.

The Ford bot is confused again

 

[vrtical]

"light wheeling" proceeds to show his bronco at the bottom of a pit of rocks lol glad you had a spare.

Windrock standards it is.

 

[Triathlonfun]

How long did it take to do the repair? I have the same kit for this situation but am curious how long it will take to make the swap.

 

[Broncobro04]

How long did it take to do the repair? I have the same kit for this situation but am curious how long it will take to make the swap.

I would recommend learning how to change your tie rod before you go out on the trails. Takes maybe 30 min. You could watch an aftermarket tie rod install video to learn.

 

[EvanPeterson]

Hi there, I'd be happy to look into your Bronco concerns on my end. Will you send us a message with your VIN and dealership info? I can look into things on my end.

IT’S A TRAP!!!

We got our Icon tie rods just before we went to Windrock, they held up way better than my driver mirror and taillight

 

[TNcoupe]

Windrock standards it is.

Went yesterday. Did 2,4,19,5,7, and 42 or 43 out to the state park. Only got the service ABS, Service Advancetrac, drives modes not available, and not able to shift out of 4L once after dropping off a 2ft drop.

 

[Midnight_Blue]

Just did rough country 1" level in the front.

So many reasons this happened.

And yet we have another thread about tie rods with little mention of the actual cause.

 

[Ryuk]

Those bolts on a skid plate are horrible.
Skid plates need to have countersunk holes with special bolts that are even with the metal once they are screwed in.
Like this

 

[mpeugeot]

Sorry need to qualify the shocked statement about being locked up when I broke. Here is my dedicated trail rig

That's one heck of a Bronco.

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