- First Name
- BroncBuster
- Joined
- Oct 16, 2021
- Threads
- 15
- Messages
- 69
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- 184
- Location
- Canyon Lake Tx
- Vehicle(s)
- 2021 Bronco Badlands
- Your Bronco Model
- Badlands
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- #1
Steering update
Update on steering fix for 2021 Bronco.
#1 What Went Wrong:
Luckily, it doesn’t look like its exclusively a Bronco thing, meaning the cause of failure is related more to any suspension lift than size of tires, brand of lift, etc. When a lift is installed, the geometry angle of the tie rods change so that the wheel acts like a fulcrum applying load on the tie rods, or in this case of failure, the lever that causes a mechanical separation between the rack and pinion, which is why in most known cases it happens while climbing with little or no steering input. Specifically, when the wheel comes up from full droop it can compress a keeper in the rack as little as 1/8” inch which we have found can cause temporary, and in some cases, complete loss of steering. Last week we encountered a new Bronco with a 3” lift and 37” tires wheeling with our group at Wolfs Caves. Although not difficult, the very first obstacle caused a disconnect between the rack and pinion gear and a complete loss of steering. Keep in mind I’m standing right there watching and nothing the driver was doing should have in any way warranted this failure-no throttle junkie and no skinny peddle- just slow crawling. When he lost steering input, I immediately knew the exact cause and had him back up until the pressure released, the rack and pinion reengaged, and steering input returned to normal. He then parked his Bronco and rode with others the rest of the day. Later that evening he decided to drive it home since steering seemed to have returned to normal. I wasn’t around or I would have advised otherwise. He made it about five miles down the highway before he lost all steering but luckily veered off the road and away from oncoming traffic. He was lucky. Again, it doesn’t matter if it’s a 2” puck lift or new coil overs with upper control arms, none of these correct geometry between the wheel and the rack. The only way you would correct that would be to lower the rack to compensate for same distance the vehicle was lifted.
#2 The Solution
But there is good news! I have designed, have a provisional patent pending, and shortly will be starting production on parts that will support the section of the rack that is allowing separation of the rack from the pinion gear. It took a bit of testing, but I have been purposeful in designing an integral parts solution that won’t require any alteration to the stock rack. Meaning you will only need to add this parts solution to remedy the problem. My aim is to not only make this affordable and easy to install, (the fix can be done in your garage without removing the rack from the vehicle), but also maintain your original Ford warranty. We will provide a QR code for a video detailing step by step the installation for those who do chose to do their own install. We are also planning on working with shops and dealers to be able to offer installation for anyone who does not want or cannot install this solution themselves.
#3 Timing of Production
We plan to be able to start taking orders by the last week in December or first week in January. We are excited that we already have over a hundred interested customers, and we plan to be able to fulfill their orders by mid-January. Included in this early interest is Ford’s Service Department at various dealerships so we look forward to assisting them!
In closing we love the return of the Bronco and look forward to working with the Bronco community to offer products that will allow each of us to safely enjoy our lifts and big tires that make this customizable vehicle live up to its iconic history and name “Bronco”
Please email us if you have not already to be put on the priority list once parts are available.
[email protected]
Thank you
BroncBuster team
Update on steering fix for 2021 Bronco.
#1 What Went Wrong:
Luckily, it doesn’t look like its exclusively a Bronco thing, meaning the cause of failure is related more to any suspension lift than size of tires, brand of lift, etc. When a lift is installed, the geometry angle of the tie rods change so that the wheel acts like a fulcrum applying load on the tie rods, or in this case of failure, the lever that causes a mechanical separation between the rack and pinion, which is why in most known cases it happens while climbing with little or no steering input. Specifically, when the wheel comes up from full droop it can compress a keeper in the rack as little as 1/8” inch which we have found can cause temporary, and in some cases, complete loss of steering. Last week we encountered a new Bronco with a 3” lift and 37” tires wheeling with our group at Wolfs Caves. Although not difficult, the very first obstacle caused a disconnect between the rack and pinion gear and a complete loss of steering. Keep in mind I’m standing right there watching and nothing the driver was doing should have in any way warranted this failure-no throttle junkie and no skinny peddle- just slow crawling. When he lost steering input, I immediately knew the exact cause and had him back up until the pressure released, the rack and pinion reengaged, and steering input returned to normal. He then parked his Bronco and rode with others the rest of the day. Later that evening he decided to drive it home since steering seemed to have returned to normal. I wasn’t around or I would have advised otherwise. He made it about five miles down the highway before he lost all steering but luckily veered off the road and away from oncoming traffic. He was lucky. Again, it doesn’t matter if it’s a 2” puck lift or new coil overs with upper control arms, none of these correct geometry between the wheel and the rack. The only way you would correct that would be to lower the rack to compensate for same distance the vehicle was lifted.
#2 The Solution
But there is good news! I have designed, have a provisional patent pending, and shortly will be starting production on parts that will support the section of the rack that is allowing separation of the rack from the pinion gear. It took a bit of testing, but I have been purposeful in designing an integral parts solution that won’t require any alteration to the stock rack. Meaning you will only need to add this parts solution to remedy the problem. My aim is to not only make this affordable and easy to install, (the fix can be done in your garage without removing the rack from the vehicle), but also maintain your original Ford warranty. We will provide a QR code for a video detailing step by step the installation for those who do chose to do their own install. We are also planning on working with shops and dealers to be able to offer installation for anyone who does not want or cannot install this solution themselves.
#3 Timing of Production
We plan to be able to start taking orders by the last week in December or first week in January. We are excited that we already have over a hundred interested customers, and we plan to be able to fulfill their orders by mid-January. Included in this early interest is Ford’s Service Department at various dealerships so we look forward to assisting them!
In closing we love the return of the Bronco and look forward to working with the Bronco community to offer products that will allow each of us to safely enjoy our lifts and big tires that make this customizable vehicle live up to its iconic history and name “Bronco”
Please email us if you have not already to be put on the priority list once parts are available.
[email protected]
Thank you
BroncBuster team
Sponsored
Wow, definitely following this.
