Broken strut for rear tailgate (terrible design!)

[Pseudoko]

I just got a new OEM one, and treat it more gently than I used to. I wish it just worked like a car door where it wants to stay in 2-3 positions, and have a limiting strap.

I’ve had this (well the non powder coat one since they didn’t have this option before) to limit the tailgate:

https://www.warhorseoffroad.com/shop-mkTHG/p/adjustable-swing-gate-strut-mount-black-powdercoat

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[Shadowsquatch]

The dealer is going to warranty the new strut and I’m getting a replacement. Is it simple enough for me to just replace the whole thing myself? I have a tailgate limiter also so I’d rather do it than have the dealer install it only for me to relocate it later. I haven’t look at the assembly yet but is there a simple video showing a strut swap?

 

[Brian_B]

The dealer is going to warranty the new strut and I’m getting a replacement. Is it simple enough for me to just replace the whole thing myself? I have a tailgate limiter also so I’d rather do it than have the dealer install it only for me to relocate it later. I haven’t look at the assembly yet but is there a simple video showing a strut swap?

It's two clips, one on the top of each socket. Pop the old clips out (easy with a small flathead), snap the new clips in.

Hardest part is not letting the tailgate swing like crazy once you undo the first clip and pop the arm off the socket.

If you installed the limiter yourself, you've already done it once on that socket. It's the same thing on the body side.

 

[Shadowsquatch]

It's two clips, one on the top of each socket. Pop the old clips out (easy with a small flathead), snap the new clips in.

Hardest part is not letting the tailgate swing like crazy once you undo the first clip and pop the arm off the socket.

If you installed the limiter yourself, you've already done it once on that socket. It's the same thing on the body side.

Got it, thanks. The clip was a PITA to pop off when I did it the first time. It literally flew off and I had to hunt for it on the asphalt using a flashlight.

 

[Lifeliberty]

The dealer is going to warranty the new strut and I’m getting a replacement. Is it simple enough for me to just replace the whole thing myself? I have a tailgate limiter also so I’d rather do it than have the dealer install it only for me to relocate it later. I haven’t look at the assembly yet but is there a simple video showing a strut swap?

Watch YouTube video on it, very simple. You should know how it works

 

[Lifeliberty]

Got it, thanks. The clip was a PITA to pop off when I did it the first time. It literally flew off and I had to hunt for it on the asphalt using a flashlight.

You shouldn't be popping anything off... parts should never be flying anywhere

For install add grease and just push on

 

[Shadowsquatch]

You shouldn't be popping anything off...

For install add grease and just push on

I wasn’t intending for it pop off. It wasn’t budging so I applied a bit too much force

 

[Brian_B]

Got it, thanks. The clip was a PITA to pop off when I did it the first time. It literally flew off and I had to hunt for it on the asphalt using a flashlight.

Yup. I've done the same.

If you can finesse it, it only needs to slide back a bit, but that's hard to do sometimes. I find it's sometimes easier to use the screwdriver to get one side popped up, then use a needle nosed pliers to work the other side up - it won't fly through the air if it does come complete off that way. Just be careful not to bend/warp the clip too much.

I don't know if the new strut will come with new clips or not - it should, but I don't know.

 

[Shadowsquatch]

I just removed the rear strut. @Lifeliberty , I used your idea of using grease for the install to make it easier to remove. I applied some bike lube on the spring part and it was much easier to pry open vs. popping the whole thing off.

 

[RC Bronco]

I sell the metal ends, the plastic ones are junk.

https://shop.autohardwareonline.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=6140

Are these confirmed to fit 2022 Bronco struts? Or are they threaded for a different size like the Redline Tuning ones?

 

[JT58Bronc]

Another very informative thread about parts that my break from initial design. I also read that the mount point in the tailgate is also weak and will bend the aluminum. There is a reinforcement piece you can buy for that weakness too- or fabricate your own.

It's just great to read all these type of threads and pick up this information. I now open the tail gate slowly and carefully and try not to over force it- whereas before I would just swing it open fast. My tail gate where the mount point is located is already a little deformed and will probably need reinforcement sometime in the future. And now this plastic piece too is another concern.

 

[RC Bronco]

Another very informative thread about parts that my break from initial design. I also read that the mount point in the tailgate is also weak and will bend the aluminum. There is a reinforcement piece you can buy for that weakness too- or fabricate your own.

It's just great to read all these type of threads and pick up this information. I now open the tail gate slowly and carefully and try not to over force it- whereas before I would just swing it open fast. My tail gate where the mount point is located is already a little deformed and will probably need reinforcement sometime in the future. And now this plastic piece too is another concern.

I went snow wheeling this weekend and had a ton of ice build up on top of my rear bumper. Yesterday when opening my tailgate, the end that attaches to the ball above the bumper came off and will not stay attached anymore. I believe that the excessive ice build up caused the strut to lift as it was being opened and closed, which caused movement in the end piece, rounding it out, thus preventing it from latching anymore

 

[Brian_B]

I went snow wheeling this weekend and had a ton of ice build up on top of my rear bumper. Yesterday when opening my tailgate, the end that attaches to the ball above the bumper came off and will not stay attached anymore. I believe that the excessive ice build up caused the strut to lift as it was being opened and closed, which caused movement in the end piece, rounding it out, thus preventing it from latching anymore

Mine has been doing the same for a while now. I ordered a new strut to see if that fixes it but it hasn’t arrived yet.

I was able to bend the clip inward a bit and it held “better” but would still pop out if you let the door swing open too fast and hit the stop

 

[BroncoNapped]

Mine just completely blew out... I brought the redlines ones and can confirm they don't fit, difference threads. (23 base, built in Dec 22)

 

[Brian_B]

I’m on my third OEM one. The ends aren’t breaking off, but they wear enough that they just start popping off the post.

I need to figure out a good way to do a safety strap. Having that thing go while parked at an angle is scary.

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