Bronco Sport Alignment Issues Discovered!

[compass crusher]

During a recent visit to the dealership for an unrelated matter, I had an alignment done. To my surprise, the technicians uncovered significant problems: the camber and caster are way out of spec, and shockingly, they're not adjustable!

Digging deeper, it seems the root cause might be a bent subframe. Yes, you read that right – the SUBFRAME may be BENT. This discovery was alarming because a bent subframe could affect not only alignment but also overall vehicle safety and performance.

The frustrating part is that these issues aren't easily visible to the naked eye. They only came to light during the alignment process. So, if you're experiencing any unusual handling quirks or noticing abnormal tire wear, I urge you to get your Bronco Sport in ASAP for a alignment.

Has anyone else encountered similar alignment issues? How did you address them?

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[Bucko]

During a recent visit to the dealership for an unrelated matter, I had an alignment done. To my surprise, the technicians uncovered significant problems: the camber and caster are way out of spec, and shockingly, they're not adjustable!

Digging deeper, it seems the root cause might be a bent subframe. Yes, you read that right – the SUBFRAME may be BENT. This discovery was alarming because a bent subframe could affect not only alignment but also overall vehicle safety and performance.

The frustrating part is that these issues aren't easily visible to the naked eye. They only came to light during the alignment process. So, if you're experiencing any unusual handling quirks or noticing abnormal tire wear, I urge you to get your Bronco Sport in ASAP for a alignment.

Has anyone else encountered similar alignment issues? How did you address them?

Did you buy this BS used?

If so, I'd do a Carfax search on it to see what major accident it had to have caused a bent or damaged subframe.

 

[compass crusher]

Did you buy this BS used?

If so, I'd do a Carfax search on it to see what major accident it had to have caused a bent or damaged subframe.

Brand new 2021. I'm pretty sure I found the problem. Look how much lower my rear clearance is compared to the front. My 5th wheel must be weighing down the 2" Ford ranger lift in the back.

I contacted Ford ranger lifts and he's going to ship me out a larger spring in the rear to off set this alignment issue. Hopefully all is flush after install.

 

[SgtT11B]

During a recent visit to the dealership for an unrelated matter, I had an alignment done. To my surprise, the technicians uncovered significant problems: the camber and caster are way out of spec, and shockingly, they're not adjustable!

Digging deeper, it seems the root cause might be a bent subframe. Yes, you read that right – the SUBFRAME may be BENT. This discovery was alarming because a bent subframe could affect not only alignment but also overall vehicle safety and performance.

The frustrating part is that these issues aren't easily visible to the naked eye. They only came to light during the alignment process. So, if you're experiencing any unusual handling quirks or noticing abnormal tire wear, I urge you to get your Bronco Sport in ASAP for a alignment.

Has anyone else encountered similar alignment issues? How did you address them?

Oh snap!!! Dealer during dealer prep!!

 

[Dannyp56]

I should have kept my RAM 2500 diesel.

 

[Arcee]

Doesn't sound like much has changed in 25 years. Had a 2000 Ford Explorer where the B-pillar wasn't properly welded at the factory. The result was the B-pillar was just "floating" and every time I went over a bump or dip in the road, there was a metallic clunk/slapping noise. Dealer tried on their own twice to figure out what it was. They could definitely hear the noise, but couldn't figure out the issue. On the 3rd service visit, the dealer called in a Ford engineer who discovered the B-pillar issue. Ultimately they had to weld and refinish the B-pillar (the dealer had the truck for 17 days on that 3rd visit.) So it all boiled down to a structural issue.

Manufacturing defects will always happen, but structural issues involving frames, unibodies, etc. should never happen. I know GM recently had issues with the new Chevy Trax/Buick Envista where the roof panels were improperly sealed at the factory causing leaks. Subaru also had issues a few years ago with Outbacks where structural issues were discovered and Subaru replaced the affected cars with all new cars. So it isn't just Ford with these types of issues. It's just kind of disappointing that in the year 2024 these types of issues aren't eliminated.

 

[Dude]

During a recent visit to the dealership for an unrelated matter, I had an alignment done. To my surprise, the technicians uncovered significant problems: the camber and caster are way out of spec, and shockingly, they're not adjustable!

Has anyone else encountered similar alignment issues? How did you address them?

No issues with a recent alignment.

I had a 4 wheel alignment done last week (see pic) on a ‘22 Badlands because one of the factory Pirelli tires had a somewhat different wear pattern than the other 3.

A few weeks before the alignment I had Falken 235 65R17 tires installed.

Here’s the pic of before and after for the alignment (‘22 Badlands ‘22 Badlands).

Front camber before/after and Front caster before/after are no change.

Rear camber also shows no change from before to after.

Dealership should charge less lol as not much work to do for an alignment ?

ChatGPT says:
Design Simplicity and Cost:
Making camber and caster adjustable adds complexity to the suspension system, increasing manufacturing costs. Non-adjustable settings simplify production and maintenance.

Camber and caster are not adjustable on many vehicles because the suspension design is typically set to provide the optimal balance of performance, handling, and tire wear from the factory.

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