2023 Bronco Sport - hydroplaning on wet highway at 60 mph

[CLR]

Update - today, Oct 17, 2023, the service department says they did a front end alignment but cannot fix the castor or cambor because of the lift kit on the vehicle!

I spoke to a sales manager and after a lengthy conversation, he said they will remove the lift kit ( I did not know was on the car) and replace the tires, he did not say anything about the cambor.

Since I bought it as a certified gold vehicle (7,300 miles) from the Ford Dealer and was not provided with information about the after market lift kit
Is it even possible for the vehicle to be like it was before the lift kit?!

Out of curiosity, which trim level is your Bronco Sport?

Did the dealer tell you how much it was lifted? Looks like a smaller lift can be done primarily with spacers. For example, https://www.hrgoffroad.com/1.5-inch-38mm-lift-kit-for-2021-2023-ford-bronco-sport/

So theoretically they can remove the spacers to lower it back down. However, they will still need to replace the aftermarket hardware with the correct OEM pieces.

Make sure you see an alignment readout with everything in the green before you accept the vehicle from the service department. Good luck!

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[Meanderthal]

Update - today, Oct 17, 2023, the service department says they did a front end alignment but cannot fix the castor or cambor because of the lift kit on the vehicle!

I spoke to a sales manager and after a lengthy conversation, he said they will remove the lift kit ( I did not know was on the car) and replace the tires, he did not say anything about the cambor.

Since I bought it as a certified gold vehicle (7,300 miles) from the Ford Dealer and was not provided with information about the after market lift kit
Is it even possible for the vehicle to be like it was before the lift kit?!

When they remove the lift kit, it will be exactly like it was stock. It is just some spacer pieces and different bolts. It should not really be affected by lifting and then removing the lift.

 

[Marcnmarilynj]

Out of curiosity, which trim level is your Bronco Sport?

Did the dealer tell you how much it was lifted? Looks like a smaller lift can be done primarily with spacers. For example, https://www.hrgoffroad.com/1.5-inch-38mm-lift-kit-for-2021-2023-ford-bronco-sport/

So theoretically they can remove the spacers to lower it back down. However, they will still need to replace the aftermarket hardware with the correct OEM pieces.

Make sure you see an alignment readout with everything in the green before you accept the vehicle from the service department. Good luck!

Lifted only 1 1/2 inch

 

[Marcnmarilynj]

Lifted only 1 1/2 inch

I have the Badlands model

 

[Marcnmarilynj]

I have the Badlands model

Lifted only 1 1/2 inch

Badlands model

 

[Dottie5513]

Yes. I have a 2021 and must use the icy/slippery mode because I will hydroplane in any decent amount of rain.

 

[Marcnmarilynj]

I've had my Bronco Sport almost a month and love it, however we had a light rain for the first time in 3-4 months and I found the rear end would begin to slide
out of my lane if I attempted to drive over 45-50 mph (even using lane assist). I was not stomping on the gas through curves, I'm talking normal cautious driving
going straight in light rain.

I tired the AWD mode and several others hoping it would help but with no luck. I'm wondering if there is a specific G.O.A.T mode the car has to be in when driving on on wet (Not standing water) roads?
This seems very disappointing for AWD vehicle...has anyone else experienced this?

 

[Marcnmarilynj]

Badlands model

UPDATE - Oct 23, 2023
Dealership removed the lift kit and replaced the tires. I will not know until it rains again but so far, the vehicle drives as good as it did on dry pavement- maybe even more responsive turning

the previous owner installed the lift kit himself but also installed 10 ply tires ( to fit a F250 truck) so the new tires are 6 ply, AT and the vehicle is aligned now.

 

[sajohnson]

There's been some mention of drive modes.

They should have very little to no effect on hydroplaning resistance.

Hydroplaning is caused by a combination of:

* Speed
* Water depth
* Tread depth
* Tire width
* Tread pattern -- percent that is 'voids', etc.

1/28/2024 EDIT: To add *tire pressure* to above list of factors.

 

[Summit]

We own both a

2022 Big bend with 1.5 lift, alignment, 235/65/75 Falkin Wildpeak AT Trail

And

2023 Badlands with 1.25 lift, alignment, 245/65/17 Falkin Wildpeak AT Trail

Both vehicles driven year round all conditions and we have been very happy with the results.

Very sorry to hear the issues explained here.
I think the lift was probably installed improperly and not aligned or not aligned correctly.

I immediately replaced the Perilli tires on both after purchase. Mostly because the original tires just didn't work for us.

 

[metalbender]

I’ll bet yours came with Pirelli Scorpion ATR tires.
I’ve read other comments on hydroplaning with these tires, in a tire post I made last week.
My 23 Badlands came with these Pirelli’s and I’m not keeping them on through the winter. Looking at the tread design, I don’t expect to get many miles out of them either.
It seems Ford could have made a better choice of tires.

My son had the pirellis on his Sport, changed them out at 130 km. Basically just after he got the car home.

 

[Mwittke5857]

Never experienced on wet, snow yes that's to be expected

 

[Wotan]

I saw a small sedan about the size of a Honda Civic do a 180 degree spin and hit the center divider on the highway. The traffic was traveling normal highway speed, probably around 65 mph. It was not raining, but the vehicle hit a puddle of water. Myself and another driver stopped to see they were OK. The passenger side had some damage, but nobody was hurt. That accident certainly could have been much worst if another car had been hit. Very scary what a small amount of water can do under the right circumstances.

 

[Mark S.]

There's been some mention of drive modes.

They should have very little to no effect on hydroplaning resistance.

Hydroplaning is caused by a combination of:

* Speed
* Water depth
* Tread depth
* Tire width
* Tread pattern -- percent that is 'voids', etc.

And tire pressure. Airliner tires are inflated to upwards of 200 psi. That doesn't make then immune to hydroplaning, but there generally has to be more than water involved to make it happen.

 

[sajohnson]

And tire pressure. Airliner tires are inflated to upwards of 200 psi. That doesn't make then immune to hydroplaning, but there generally has to be more than water involved to make it happen.

So, we need reverse thrust braking and all tires inflated to the maximum pressure on the sidewall.

That was an interesting article.

I should edit the list to include tire pressure. I was assuming factory spec pressure, but it's good to point that out.

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