I'm a doofus! Inner Tie Rod for emergency use

raqball

Mar 27, 2025

Thu at 5:08 pm

So a while back I upgraded my steering to a 74Weld kit with Icon HD tie rods. I've been carrying a stock spare inner tie rod in case of failure on the trail. While the chances of a failure with my setup is minimal, we all know Murphy's Law applies. Add in the fact that I go out solo most times, and my doofus'ness (is that even a word?) could have resulted in me being stranded.

Well, um, ah, a stock inner tie rod will not fit an Icon HD outer.. I guess I never really thought about it until I was lubing the tie rods and my aftermarket UCA's the other day. When I was under the Bronco, it hit me.. Stock is 14mm and the Icons's are 18mm.. Doh!

I called Icon to ask about purchasing an inner. Icon does not sell anything other than a complete tie rod kit so I can't just buy an inner.

This got me looking at braces for emergency use only. Please do not get me started on why tie rod braces are a very, very bad idea for permanent use.

Any recommendations for a sleeve, or a brace, that can be used when Murphy's Law hits and my Icon fails?

The BroncBuster brace is a no go as I can just buy a complete set of Icon XD tie rods for about the same price. Threaded sleeves won't work since the Icon threads are larger than stock. A complete set of Icons as a backup is kind of overkill IMO since they would probably sit unused, forever, considering my setup..

Muchas Gracias..

onX Trail Guide & Tread Lightly Member
2023 Badlands 2 door in Hot Pepper Red 🌶️ 🌶️

BuckYeah, the poacher

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Thu at 5:31 pm

a youtuber I enjoy says the only thing 9mm wrenches are good for is welding onto tie rods as emergency trail repairs.

tbh, I think I'd just keep an eye out for another set of Icons, either used or on sale.

AngusMac13, TK1215

Thu at 6:00 pm

FOUTZ MOTORSPORTS makes a 16mm sleeve for the Hoss rack. what size are your tie rods?

or why not just buy a stock outer to use both the stock inner and outer in an emergency? would that not work?

raqball

Thu at 6:15 pm

Richards67Bronco
FOUTZ MOTORSPORTS makes a 16mm sleeve for the Hoss rack. what size are your tie rods?

or why not just buy a stock outer to use both the stock inner and outer in an emergency? would that not work?

18mm on the Icons.. I suppose I could just carry the entire stock tie rod but I'd honestly prefer to just carry an inner, or a brace, that will work in emergencies..

onX Trail Guide & Tread Lightly Member
2023 Badlands 2 door in Hot Pepper Red 🌶️ 🌶️

Deano Bronc, TK1215

Thu at 6:24 pm

raqball
18mm on the Icons.. I suppose I could just carry the entire stock tie rod but I'd honestly prefer to just carry an inner, or a brace, that will work in emergencies..

I understand that. i have a Bronco Raptor and i carry a inner and outer just to be safe. I have the DV8 replacement rear compartment and it holds a lot more stuff. it is quite a bit bigger.

TK1215, raqball

Thu at 6:43 pm

Richards67Bronco
I understand that. i have a Bronco Raptor and i carry a inner and outer just to be safe. I have the DV8 replacement rear compartment and it holds a lot more stuff. it is quite a bit bigger.

Yeah, I'd rather not carry 2 outers and an inner If I can avoid it, but I might have to. I called BroncBuster to see if they'd sell me just one brace, maybe a scratched up one that was returned and he said that's a possibility but he didn't know if it would fit around the 18mm Icon and still secure down enough to be effective.. They are going to try and see if it will and call me back..

onX Trail Guide & Tread Lightly Member
2023 Badlands 2 door in Hot Pepper Red 🌶️ 🌶️

Thu at 7:00 pm

Side note: Icon support is lazy and couldn't care less. After finding out Icon does not sell an inner by itself, I told her I was looking at a brace and needed the exterior diameter of the tie rod.

She then, kind of rudely, told me that if I use a brace it will void Icon's warranty. Um, it already failed if I am using a brace. LOL.. She went on to tell me she only has the diameter of the threads and not the dimensions for exterior of the tie rod.. SMH..

onX Trail Guide & Tread Lightly Member
2023 Badlands 2 door in Hot Pepper Red 🌶️ 🌶️

BuckYeah, Deano Bronc

Thu at 7:07 pm

raqball
Yeah, I'd rather not carry 2 outers and an inner If I can avoid it, but I might have to. I called BroncBuster to see if they'd sell me just one brace, maybe a scratched up one that was returned and he said that's a possibility but he didn't know if it would fit around the 18mm Icon and still secure down enough to be effective.. They are going to try and see if it will and call me back..

If not, get on and get a drill bit and make that work for if you ever need it!!

raqball

Thu at 7:09 pm

Richards67Bronco
If not, get on and get a drill bit and make that work for if you ever need it!!

I am hoping that the BroncBuster will work, that they'll sell me one, that's a return and maybe all scratched up on the cheap... I don't need it to look purdy, I just need it to work. 😀

onX Trail Guide & Tread Lightly Member
2023 Badlands 2 door in Hot Pepper Red 🌶️ 🌶️

Deano Bronc

Thu at 7:22 pm

The used BroncBuster and some bailing wire should get you taken care of.

Bronco Nation 1100. Everglades, Desert Sand
Res: 7/30/20 ordered 1/22/21 reorder 10/15/21 changed to Everglades 3/9/22 schedule 8/29/22 bumped to 9/5; 9/7/22 blend, 9/9 Mods, 9/26/22 completed, 10/7 shipped, 11/3/22 delivery

Deano Bronc, raqball

Thu at 7:27 pm

#10

Jakob1972
The used BroncBuster and some bailing wire should get you taken care of.

I had not thought of bailing wire.. 💪

onX Trail Guide & Tread Lightly Member
2023 Badlands 2 door in Hot Pepper Red 🌶️ 🌶️

Jakob1972

Thu at 8:45 pm

#11

raqball
18mm on the Icons.. I suppose I could just carry the entire stock tie rod but I'd honestly prefer to just carry an inner, or a brace, that will work in emergencies..

I carry the entire stock tie rods after I switched to Icons. They fit in the rear compartment tray fully assembled.

Deano Bronc, BuckYeah

Thu at 10:13 pm

#12

TechnicalDisaster
I carry the entire stock tie rods after I switched to Icons. They fit in the rear compartment tray fully assembled.

I might just do that unless BroncBuster calls me back with good news. I no longer have the stock scissor jack as I have a bottle jack with various extensions that I use so I can probably stash them in that spot.

Still, I'd rather not carry 2 complete tie rods, or 2 outers and 1 inner, but it is what it is..

I only have the 1 inner. I stupidly tossed, or lost, the rest of the tie rod parts that were not in the Bronco when I moved. I'd either need to buy complete stock set or an aftermarket set..

I might snag these Rough Country tie rods. They are pretty beefy and only $180 for the set. Half the price of the Icons.. Heck, I'd probably pay that, or more, for a stock tie rod kit..

https://www.roughcountry.com/product/bronco-tie-rod-ends-51134

Maybe these. I am sure they are junk but as long as they last long enough to get me off the trail then all good. And the whole set is only $50. 🤣🤣

Bronco Tie Rods - Amazon Junk

onX Trail Guide & Tread Lightly Member
2023 Badlands 2 door in Hot Pepper Red 🌶️ 🌶️

Thu at 11:12 pm

#13

There is a very simple solution to this issue. When you're on the trails just drive it like it's a Prius. Problem solved. You will never need a spare. 😁

Fri at 2:53 am

#14

jtgensler
a youtuber I enjoy says the only thing 9mm wrenches are good for is welding onto tie rods as emergency trail repairs.

tbh, I think I'd just keep an eye out for another set of Icons, either used or on sale.

Oh my gosh! I get this reference! I am shocked I know a pop culture thing.

Jakob1972, Deano Bronc

Fri at 11:06 am

#15

AngusMac13
Oh my gosh! I get this reference! I am shocked I know a pop culture thing.

here's another one for you - a tall british TV show host saying "I did a thing!"

AngusMac13

Sat at 4:49 am

#16

That one I know. It’s why I yell, “POWER!” whenever I pass anything. Even on foot.

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