Steering impossible while off-camber

[LockedBronco]

Undecided. This is an unexpected outcome. I remember telling my wife a few times that it felt like the power steering was going out on the rocks, but it didn't have the usual feel or whine like it was low on fluid or cavitating or something. It sounded completely normal but impossible to move. Try turning your wheels with the vehicle off and it was like that, but harder due to the angle I was at going over the boulders.

Once I saw the error code that showed an overheating steering box and looked up the code, I saw that the vehicle will first go into limp home mode and throw a code, but you get limited help from the power steering. After that, it'll shut down the steering completely and you have to strong arm it home. That was the stage I was at on the rocks until I got back to flat ground and let it sit a minute while composing myself and taking a drink of water. It was a lot of work getting the Bronco off 3-5 foot tall boulders without power steering. I am sore today!

The only solution I see right now is a beefier rack now that the HOSS 3.0 has been hacked into HOSS 1/2 Broncos. Perhaps the bigger motor and thicker casing will help with the heat build up that the factory rack is clearly doing to move these big tires. As I said earlier, this was a problem for me on 35s as well when going down some rough trails. There is a somewhat famous obstacle near Tucson called Three Feathers that I had the same problems with last fall. Got about half way down a line and the steering just getting heavier and heavier..

This obstacle is rated an 8 to 9 depending on the trail guide. Its an optional feature on a trail called Box Canyon in AZ.

Just a few previous examples of when I was on 35s and the same issue happened. All are fairly sketchy with no power steering.

Because of the codes is there a issue with the p/s unit itself causing it to overheat?
Or is it what you're doing with it?

Sponsored

 

[Theherofails]

Because of the codes is there a issue with the p/s unit itself causing it to overheat?
Or is it what you're doing with it?

The code is just how I know it's from overheating. The only solution is to baby it or replace it with something that can handle the tires.. not sure BroncBuster is the solution to this problem in any fashion.

 

[Raptor911]

who do you believe? Strangers on the internet or a ford engineer?

?? It’s beefed up in many ways according the guys that put them side by side mention almost everything being bigger including the electric motor.

 

[GloNDark]

who do you believe? Strangers on the internet or a ford engineer?

after seeing some of the crap on these new Broncos…..that’s a tough choice.

 

[Arokcrwlr]

The code is just how I know it's from overheating. The only solution is to baby it or replace it with something that can handle the tires.. not sure BroncBuster is the solution to this problem in any fashion.

I agree that the BB mods will do nothing to prevent overheating. At this point it sounds like the HOSS 3.0 rack with the beefier motor is the only solution.

 

[Snacktime]

I would say another rack would be my next move. I just don't see 37s causing the overheating issues over something internally wrong with the rack.

3.0 is beefier, but I still think it will break.

 

[Graham1911]

Bronc Buster Billet housing is suppose to reduce stress on motor because it keeps the rack out of a bind. I am thinking that will help with heating issues. It sure looks a lot heavier than the housing on the 3.0. I was very interested in the 3.0 rack but I went with Bronc Buster housing and bushing because I was afraid the 3.0 would still break over time. I can also say that the BB housing is very heavy duty with hardened steel bushing inside of it.

 

[7sKnuckledragger]

What’s the IFS version of full hydro? Or at minimum hydro assist? I’ve experienced what the OP encountered when running stock-ish running gear in my solid axle Jeeps. Hot PS fluid and steering bind. Sometimes the trail tells you to stop and pick another line. Good luck

 

[‘21OBX]

who do you believe? Strangers on the internet or a ford engineer?

I believe my eyes it’s physically bigger. Are the gears inside the same.

 

[da_jokker]

Do you know how many people have lifted their rigs without spending $1700 on BroncBusters ....

Easy there.... I'm not inferring that everybody with a lift or bigger tires is going to break the rack, I was simply saying that once you do a lift and tires, don't be surprised IF You do break the rack.

Whether you go with the unproven HOSS 3 or the BB fix, It's pretty much the only choices we have at this point.

Unfortunately this is one of those items where you won't know that you've been "breaking it" all along until it finally gives out.

Checking for metal shavings maybe away of predicting future failure. I dunno.

 

[da_jokker]

I agree that the BB mods will do nothing to prevent overheating. At this point it sounds like the HOSS 3.0 rack with the beefier motor is the only solution.

And to me that is the question. Does the BB fix to eliminate internal flex impact the load on the motor and in a roundabout way keep it cooler?

I have not kept up with his "busting" but anyone know if he's blown out his stock rack since he's implemented his own fixes? I know he runs big tires and runs his Bronco hard.

 

[Arokcrwlr]

And to me that is the question. Does the BB fix to eliminate internal flex impact the load on the motor and in a roundabout way keep it cooler?

I have not kept up with his "busting" but anyone know if he's blown out his stock rack since he's implemented his own fixes? I know he runs big tires and runs his Bronco hard.

You bring up a good point that I don't know the answer to. My opinion is the rack will most likely overheat when turning big tires on rocks regardless of BB mods or not. This is based loosely on the OPs experience and my experience with the steering gear on my trail rig. It would be too hot to touch on the trail before I put a big ass cooler on it.

 

[Bmadda]

I agree that the BB mods will do nothing to prevent overheating. At this point it sounds like the HOSS 3.0 rack with the beefier motor is the only solution.

To a certain degree(pun intended), there is no real way to avoid situations where the EPS motor has to shut down due to overtemp. A bigger motor will help, but it has limits also. This is likely going to be one of the characteristics of EPS on a offroad vehicle. Not like the hydraulic system where it would just bypass if overpressure. I have the HOSS 3.0 on mine, and I'm sure on a tough enough trail I could still overheat it if I try hard enough...doesn't mean it's not a mod worth doing tho!

 

[Rkgzx9leftcoast]

Confirmed today that the steering failure I had was caused by overheating. The lift/tires likely attributed to it.

Went out and mapped a new trail at an abandoned mine that I’ll likely rate as a 5, and had zero issues with steering.. No issues with binding while totally flexing out in rutted out roads, so it’s not catching like I originally thought.

VERY rutted out roads. One has a solid 8’ drop that you have to sneak over. Absolutely terrifying. You can barely squeak by and it’s still a big tip.

Yeah, like I said Mine hasnt given me issues since Sand Hollow. I would absolutely recommend the Bronc Buster Bushing if you keep the stock rack. If you watch his video on what it prevents you will see its a design flaw on the cross shaft cap.

Luckily mine acted up and then stopped when I got out of the obstacles it acted up on.

I didnt see you were from my area.... if you are ever out by Butcher Jones/Rolls, Bulldog ..ect. Let me know. Now that the weather is cooler I get out more.

 

[Theherofails]

Yeah, like I said Mine hasnt given me issues since Sand Hollow. I would absolutely recommend the Bronc Buster Bushing if you keep the stock rack. If you watch his video on what it prevents you will see its a design flaw on the cross shaft cap.

Luckily mine acted up and then stopped when I got out of the obstacles it acted up on.

I didnt see you were from my area.... if you are ever out by Butcher Jones/Rolls, Bulldog ..ect. Let me know. Now that the weather is cooler I get out more.

Absolutely! I’m out constantly right now as I map trails for OnX Off-Road and am always looking for new areas.

Sponsored