My Bronco Steering Rack is Ruined! Learn from My Mistake! 

We all make mistakes, nobody is perfect. Just remember it’s not what knocked ya down, it’s how you get back up! 👍🏻❤️🇺🇸

David, your humility is admired. Thanks for sharing this. As I have discovered, repeatedly, our oversights become our very best teacher and hind sight is always 20/20. We all learned from this.

The good and the bad. That's what I like about the channel! I appreciate you showing this and allowing us to learn together! Hope Icon tries to make it right, looking forward to your next video!

Your honesty and integrity in "owning" part of the problem is commendable. Anyone and I mean EVERYONE that has done any serious DIY has made a few mistakes; sometimes expensive, sometimes not, sometimes danagerous and sometimes not, and sometimes bone-headed and sometimes not. I hope the R.C. components work out for ya!!

Goodluck with the fix! I’m sure the bronco will be back meaner than ever when you’re done.

Sorry to hear about the troubles man, glad to see you on your way to getting it all sorted though. Hope to see you on another adventure soon!

I installed Rough Country M1 coil overs on my Bronco and I have been very impressed with these things? If you asked me 5 or 6 years ago to use Rough Country on my vehicles I would have laughed but I think they have come a long way compared to just a few years ago!

Thanks the awesome knowledge about these vehicles. New subscriber here. Ford really dropped the ball on the ford broncos when it comes to the front end. You can’t expect to compete against a jeep rubicon, when good people like you are having to spend thousands of dollars on there brand new 4x4, just to go out for a weekend on the trails. Love the channel! Keep it up!

Sounds like you are waiting on the 74Weld..... you will love it. That was the first major replacement I made. Worth every penny. It is also a work of art. When you see it, you will understand. It is like owning a fine piece of priceless art in your safe, no one can see it but you know you have it but unlike a painting, this is functional art! Enjoy and safe travels.

Appreciate you honest humility. I will say a set of the Bronc buster brace with the factory rack works well for me so far. Have been on Utah rock and PNW river beds and have been pretty confident. Keep hitting those trails and sharing..no one is perfect dude. Good Job on the repair.

You may find brake cleaner will remove gunk and junk off your parts faster in the future. That's what I've always used. Also, maybe check junk yards for a stock replacement to the rack before buying new.

Nice to hear what happened and the fix that you have to go through. Great video.

Good for you for show the fail part. Very refreshing. Love your channel.

BIG Thank you for making this video! Enjoy your wheeling trip vids too, but learned asome very key stuff on this version. We know gotta take great care of steering components on IFS off-road critters. I've almost completed our WildTrak 3.0's basic on-board steering spare parts & tools kit. Thanks again - Cheers

Great video - very informative. Even though I’m a Jeep guy - I learned a TON!

Thank you for sharing your information. It’s always better to learn from somebody else’s mistake and that sounds like an expensive one. Hope you get out and do some adventure videos soon. Can’t wait to see him. Keep up the great work. 😎👍

I’ve used rough country, love their products!

Great video bro and a humbling experience! Cant wait to see it fixed and back in action. Rough country is a company ive used but never had any issues with. I think ppl have to realize its a company that provides parts to help guys get into offroading without breaking the bank and are cost effective. U cant go rock crawling and expect rough country parts to be bulletproof bcuz its unrealistic but for the price their parts are worth it if u dont have unrealistic expectations

Bummer to see.....good on ya for taking ownership! We need more of that in the world. Soooooo are you splurging on a shiney new hoss 3.0 74weld rack? Cant wait to see whatcha do! Your channel has been one hellava inspiration, keep up the excellent work

Another awesome video. Thanks for sharing. Have you had similar issues with the Tacoma?

That sucks man, but good work figuring it out!

We got our Icon Tie Rods in late January 2023 and were also wondering about the boot situation… we went with zip ties. They’ve held up after a year of abuse… but we bought a second set of boots with clamps, because we’re assuming the boot will get trashed if we have to take them off.

Thanks for the video

Good advice 👍🏼

Great video very underrated

Commendable for having the integrity to own your mistake and the humility to publish it publicly. Note to self: Don't use Icon Vehicle Dynamics. Got it. (Wasn't planning to anyway, I'm a TeraFlex fan) As far as Rough Country is concerned, I've had their shocks and suspension systems on a previous vehicle and they work great. Never had any issues from them at all and I beat the crap out of them. Their shocks aren't the most comfortable off-road, but damn if they aren't durable.

New subscriber, cool channel. I live in Alabama and would LOVE to go to Oregon to ride,,, ABSOLUTELY ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PLACES IN AMERICA. Stunning!! Looking forward to watching all your videos. GOD BLESS and happy trails!!

Great video! Love your honesty and humility! Just subscribed to your channel. We have a bronco that my wife drives, and we started overlanding in. And I just traded my f150 for a 2021 tacoma, so I'm going to be watching alot of your videos. On the bronco, do you think the RC tie rods and 74weld cap would've been good enough to make the steering rack better if the boots were good?

Hey David - good, informative video. I'd like your opinion on something... I've been on the fence about upgrading my tie rods. I know they're a weak spot and could break on the trail; however, I read a post recently suggesting that if a strong aftermarket tie rod does not break under pressure, the strain could transfer to the steering rack causing the rack to break. Essentially, the thought was better to break the tie rod than the rack. What are your thoughts? Cheers.

I appreciate your honesty in this video. I gotta say that even though you made a mistake by installing the Icon tie rods, they really shit the bed on this product. I've had problems with their suspension products in the past as well. Their customer service is pretty terrible. You have to really bother them to get any kind of response. Which is unacceptable. Hopefully, they will get back to you soon with, at the very least, an apology and a refund.

Don’t you miss automotive class, having access to a car lift. That’s one thing I love about working on newer vehicles, no bolts are rusted and seized yet.

Great vid. Sorry for the honest mistake.

Sorry to hear of you troubles. Well the way I see it, If Icon sent the wrong boots from the start They should step up and cover the cost of the new rack! But since they haven't responded...I wouldn't put money on it. Oh well their loss, I hope this video gets around and gives them a bad name. I just picked up a 23 Big bend with the BF package and I won't be looking into any Icon products because of this video. GB & stay safe! All the best in 24 also!

Ive been wondering where you’ve been. I guess broke down ! I saw the freezing video. Bummer. 1- you got your nice hat dirty ! 2- your mechanic skills are impressive. Just like your filming skills. Good job ! 3- I should have my Badlands by early to mid February. It’s been built. It’s on a rail car heading to Port of Benicia, Ca. From there to Ford in Dixon, Ca. Then to my house !,! Thanks for the video. Very informative

I have been impressed with rough country lately. Never owned anything because of the bad rep from them. I have recently bought their ARB clone twin compressor and it’s great. My buddy bought the coilovers with resi and he’s had really good luck with them. Looks like they have made a turn for the better

Great video and the beard looks fantastic.

So, I followed your lead and got the Icon tie rods + 74 Weld end cap installed (professionally, Brave Motorsports) on my Wildtrak 21. Is the key here to go in and make sure that the clamps are on the tie rods? I ordered them last month. I also don't play in the snow (Texas) and am not likely to find myself in the same situation you were in.

cool video! i think that was definitely manufactured fault and commending u for admitting online u failed to ask that takes alot of courage

Hey Brother many of us have had the "could of, would of, should of" moments. You'll be entertaining us again soon. A bit of a concern... That aluminum cover you pulled off and reinstalled. Is there no gasket or sealant requirement to go between it and the rack assembly? Perhaps a bead of silicone between the surfaces to keep any potential moisture out... Also brother, leave the castle nut the end of the control arm and strike it - not the treaded stud... Looking forward to more of your adventures.

Should there be rtv or a gasket between the 74 weld end cap and the case. It is odd to me that the water is only on the 74 weld side.

Believe it or not, RC makes some quality stuff. I have their Vertex lift kit for my rig and completely satisfied with it. Tahuya and the cascades approved.

What was the spray you’re using to clean these parts? We’ve used brake fluid in past.

I love this channel... And I drive a Dodge Stratus!

So what keeps the water out where the aftermarket end cap bolts to the rack? I don't see a gasket, seal or silicone.

Hey Dave, is this the same "Icon Vehicle Dynamics" that makes lift kits for Bronco? And, we all have brain parts and ah ha moments in life. I respect your integrity to your subscribers and keep up the good work! Being a back yard DIY guy myself, I've had a few moments where I thought I should tear up my university degree and question my abilities! lol

Hey, great video. I wonder what is the color name of your 2022 Bronco? I would like to have the same one day.

Just casually chatting with the 74Weld fellas huh? 🙂

what brand of watch is that?

Watched your Vail video. Question, were you on DNR land or Weyerhaeuser land with a permit?? Good luck on the steering issue that is an expensive issue!!

Did you preemptively put in ICON tie rods because you wanted stronger ones or because you were lifting the vehicle and wanted to run 37s?

It seems like that machined end cap should have a gasket on it where is meets the rack housing to prevent water intrusion at the contact point.

Ahhhh yes, you have discovered the QC nightmare that is Icon... ;) I liked your intro, good explanation and it cleared up a lot from the first video. Then you made me sad by holding up an RC tie rod loooool, RC has failed me approx. 3 times now on 3 different products. Tie rod thickness is not the answer to the Bronco steering. A couple things if I may that I have learned from tearing apart several racks of different broncos on my steering series... The tie rod does not need more articulation, you are nowhere near max articulation on your stock tie rods and you'll max out your axles and shocks before you do your tie rod joints. Not sure what your next tie rod choice is... (I hope it is Carli), but more articulation out of a joint won't solve any issues as it's not your limiting factor. Also, not sure if you plan on keeping that rack long but the steering screw 100% draws all that muck into your rack past the pulleys. There isn't any seal there and you have bearings that will go bad on the other side. You can remove the pulley and move it all around no problem, its the steering wheel that you don't want to move, as long as you line the steering screw up 2 &1/4" on each side and center the wheel you're fine. I'm also curious why you say the 74weld bushing is bad (I heard you call it the bearing but I'm talking about the bronze bushing inside their housing). Genuinely curious as I love studying that stuff and curious why you need to replace it? Anyways, love your trail videos and keep exploring!

I feel we are a little off here, I have the same Icon rods on my 2023 Ford Bronco Badlands. The boots looked exactly like that out of the box. All I had to do was to stick a tool in the small hole and pull out the lip for the clamp. I believe this was user error, unfortunately.

You should see if you could delete the steer whack and go mechanical like your cars or I don’t know if it’s possible but there’s no harm in trying. You would have much of a poem when you go floating and it’s real cold.

I keep hearing time and time again how awful Icon customer service is. I am going to go in a different direction. I would advise others to recognize the warning signs and do the same.

Ah well! We all have done it ... And DO it. Just sucks to have to do it again ... And then again. Pretty much A brand new vehicle and having to do the rack already really sucks ... Then again, that is off roading. But give those Rough Country parts a thorough try and put em through their paces before you switch to what ever you have coming. I bet there are a few of us out here that want to see how they do. (People are always bad mouthing them ... I have A LOT of stuff from Rough Country). You spoke of this bad mouthing, yet look at the difference between RC and the "Popular Brand" I guess you could call it. Comparatively, RC looks almost the same as the popular guys, but doesn't cost a ridiculous amount of money. You will not find any better customer service then RC as well, that's for sure. ... And it's awesome your telling folks what's going on, and admitting that you are at fault as well. That's awesome. No one admits mistakes, it's edited out. Hee hee

How did you get comfortable tearing down these parts? Are you a mechanic?

That's how we learn! Nobody gor hurt... So.... It's fine

I’ve had nothing but problems with ICON and there customer service is awful

Not to bash Icon, but I personally haven't heard anything great about them. I was looking at Icon for my Taco, but multiple people advised me to maybe look at other manufacturers. Sucks your having to deal with this on your new baby.....

You want the Tie Rod to be the weakest link.

I think you just need to zip tie a harmonica in there. Fix it right up lickity spit.

Leave’r stock boys

turn off face tracking on your camera, or when you're showing an item, cover your face then it'll focus what's in front.

You live and learn. I guess you have to come back to Idaho for a redemption run!

your mistake was buying a broncrapo

Run the RC stuff, you will come out surprised. they dont have a company from making bad products. That stuff will last you for as long as you need bro