Before you Buy: The 2021-2022 Bronco's Weak Point - The Stock Tie Rods and Steering Rack

Now that 2021-2022 Bronco 4-Doors and 2021-2022 Bronco 2-Doors are starting to land at their owner's doors, we're also starting to see these things get modded and hit the trails. With great mods and hard driving, we're starting to see some of the weak points in the factory hardware, and arguably the most critical are the stock tie rods and factory steering rack. Multiple Bronco owners who have gone out and wheeled their rigs have reported broken tie rods, stripped steering racks, or both which are all pretty quick ways to make an off-road trip come to a sudden end with an off-road tow bill to boot. An owner has posted on the Bronco6g forums here, but we've heard from a few customers as well about potential tie rod and rack problems. The bad news is that there doesn't look to be a fix coming right away, but the good news Ford itself seems to have recognized that there's an issue and will be rolling out a "Severe-Duty Steering Rack" that may be the solution to the issue.

2021-2022 Bronco Tie Rod Problems

The primary point of failure is the stock Tie Rods. The tie rods on the Broncos area similar diameter as those on the 2019-2021 Rangers. However, to squeak out some extra travel, the Bronco's tie rods are a bit longer. This is potentially an issue, because of the extra length, there may not be enough material (via increased diameter) to support the leverage on the tie rods when you stack on pretty large tires. Thus, hitting a big obstacle or rough terrain with a heavy 35" tire or 37" tire can cause enough excess leverage to make the tie rods snap. At least, that's what our working theory is now based on our images below.

2021 Bronco:

2019 Ranger:

We did measure from a slightly different location for each, so the real difference in length is only about 1.5" to 2" (the joys of coordinating remotely), but there is a difference in overall length, but not one in diameter.

2021-2022 Bronco Steering Rack Problems

The problems within the steering rack are a little more mysterious. We have not have a failed one ripped apart on camera for a look at the internal components, but our current working theory is that the failure of the tie rods cause the rack components to suddenly yaw to one side, stripping out the gears and ruining the thing in its entirety. Hopefully we'll be able to get a chance to look at a broken one (though hopefully not our own from learning the hard way) and see if anything can be gleaned from the carnage.

Fixes for 2021-2022 Bronco Tie Rod & Steering Rack Problems

Currently, there aren't any fixes available to ensure this doesn't happen, however, Ford itself is coming out with a Severe Duty Steering Rack for 2021-2022 Broncos under part number M-3200-WT. We don't have a lot of details as of yet with just what the Ford Performance Bronco Severe Duty steering rack will actually entail, but we should hear more soon. We also have word from some of our manufacturers that they're working on upgraded tie rods for 2021-2022 Broncos, but we don't have an ETA or know if just upgrading the tie rods will be the only thing you'll want to do to run 37" tires and hit the trails.