Steering falling off? Has this been covered?

[Dokatd]

Thank you dokatd. Great explanation.
I’ve been trying to work out if it’s because I’ve done something wrong (hit something) or if something in the tie rod end has just failed. Either way, it seems like a design fault that should be of concern for IA.

You absolutely should make sure you get a new tie rod and joint under warranty. Probably should shoot for new steering stabilizer too.

You shouldn't get any pushback on this from Ineos.

 

[HT]

Update: @Dokatd - mate, looks like you were spot on.
The threads between the tie rod and tie rod end, had been worn down over a long period of time. Likely caused by a loose lock nut. See self-explanatory video and photos.
Maybe something for the wise to watch out for.

 

[AWo]

Loose lock nut removes the tension and gives play until the threads were gone?

AWo

 

[Dokatd]

Loose lock nut removes the tension and gives play until the threads were gone?

AWo

Yep, was bound to happen at some point. Most OEM's use clamp locks here. Jam nuts are super unreliable as is, but add in Ineos neglecting to tighten and you get total failure.

This highlights Ineos severe lack of vehicle building experience.

 

[Tinki]

Yep, was bound to happen at some point. Most OEM's use clamp locks here. Jam nuts are super unreliable as is, but add in Ineos neglecting to tighten and you get total failure.

This highlights Ineos severe lack of vehicle building experience.

I am not sure that is fair on INEOS . Car was designed my Magna who have an impressive record . As for lock nuts a lot of car use them , my nissan patrol uses the same style .

 

[Clark Kent]

Yep, was bound to happen at some point. Most OEM's use clamp locks here. Jam nuts are super unreliable as is, but add in Ineos neglecting to tighten and you get total failure.

This highlights Ineos severe lack of vehicle building experience.

FRAP Italy supply the steering and suspension links to Ineos. FRAP has been supplying parts to multiple brands since 1932 so it's fair to say their design is ok - provided the jam nut is tightened. This is a process or maintenance error because the nut appears to be left loose. Was there a wheel alignment done and the underpaid tech forgot to tighten the jam nut?

The design lacks redundancy such as a clamp, keyed tab washer, etc. so a loose jam nut could eventually lead to failure of the connection. That seems to be what's happened here.

https://www.frap.it/en/

 

[TCMColorado]

A clamp that is left loose could just as easily result in a failure of the threads on either the tie rod itself or the tie rod end. The problem is not with the jam nut design the problem is a loose connection.

 

[NQ94]

Doubt the track rod is even an Ineos design or part, Carraro has been using this set up for years on other trucks and tractors.
Other makes have suffered the same issues over the years when steering components have not been inspected, adjusted or secured correctly during a service or PDI inspection.

 

[HT]

At the risk of sounding hysterical, whatever the cause, I think it ought to be a legitimate concern. This happened when I was doing a very low speed in the middle of a paddock. If the same failure (whatever its genesis) occurred at highway speeds, the outcome would have been extremely different. Can I implore all of you to either, get your mechanic to have a look at your tie rod ends, or at least have a look under the car for yourself, just to make sure your steering isn't developing the same problem.

Also, just so everyone knows, my local dealer (in Brisbane Australia) has been absolutely fantastic about this. They sent mechanics to the farm, replaced the tie rod in the paddock, and they drove it back to there shop to undertake a full inspection to make sure everything is fine. Their timely effort and genuine consideration is something I can't see any/many other dealers doing. They're good folk. Also, despite this event, you better believe that this is still the car for me.

 

[Dokatd]

I am not sure that is fair on INEOS . Car was designed my Magna who have an impressive record . As for lock nuts a lot of car use them , my nissan patrol uses the same style .

I never said this design wasn't used elsewhere. But it's a moderately rare setup on an OEM design. However it lacks any redundancy at all. And a visual inspection is about useless. As well, once a small amount of rust sets in the jam nut may feel tight but might be loose.

To be fair I used to build and sell tie rods with the same design for Land Rovers. I still have the odd sized taps in my tool box if anyone wants to buy them. I even used special aluminum Jam nuts. All of this was with great success.

The part you are missing is that Ineos only has something like 2 alignment racks and cannot align all outbound trucks. They neglected to tell the over seas dealers this and many trucks went out into the wild without alignment or torquing of the steering link jam nuts. This isn't conjecture, this is fact. Ineos has subsequently started paying for each dealer to align and secure steering components during PDI.

Magna or not, Ineos approved all designs and ultimately manufactures these trucks. They need as much redundancy as possible so they don't kill someone. The steering design is garbage and I suspect Ineos knows it. If Ineos hangs on I bet they change the steering completely once they do a real Gen2 Grenadier.

 

[Commodore]

I have been noticing additionally play in my steering wheel lately and a feeling like I had to catch the car after changing lanes. Yesterday I crawled under and found that the passenger side big nut had walked completely outboard on the threads. Now my truck does see a fair bit of off road use and it has 22,000 miles on it now so vibration could be coming into play.

What is frustrating is that it was at the dealership last month for a front pinion seal replacement and this loose nut obviously when unnoticed even though the tech was 2 feet away from it.

I used my largest adjustable wrench to get some torque on the nut and have ordered a 40mm so I can do it right.

I’m seriously thinking about using some blue lock tight on it.

 

[Tazzieman]

Just needs a second jam nut with a spot of jam ( threadseal) on it. If belt and braces is deemed vital.
I'm happy to use marker paint and pop my head under for a quick visual now and again.

 

[AWo]

I found an official recall for that in Germany in 2024.

Recall number: 23212

It tells 1,338 cars are affected international and 267 in Germany. This recall is monitored by the officials.
Fault: "A wrong lock nut can lead to a failing connection between wheel carrier and steering rod"

BTW, that could be a warning to all DIY-guys....yes you can make your service yourself, but do you get aware of every callback this way? In Germany the owner receives a letter from the officials if it is a serious thing calling the car in or the permission to drive is lost. You have to proof that a workshop has fixed the issue. But for smaller stuff you do not get a letter, you depend on the service provider. Or you have another source to check that yourself, maybe with the manufacturer. Land Rover had such a system, where you could check for call backs.

AWo

 

[OkGo]

There is technically a UK thing as well https://www.check-vehicle-recalls.service.gov.uk/recall-type