Swing Gate Strut gives up the ghost

[Catmandu]

Correct, female threads are merely polymer. there doesn’t appear to be any metal reinforcement within the end swivel cap as far as threading goes. If you zoom in on the first pic you can see the plastic within the male style threads

This may actually be designed this way on purpose as this makes a serviceable breakaway point. If this was stronger it would shift the issue to the tailgate panel itself resulting in a more expensive repair. I am in no way shape or form defending Ford's engineering choices, but coming from the Jeep world, I am concerned about the strength of the aluminum tailgate panels and the weight already applied by the spare tire.

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[DWood]

This may actually be designed this way on purpose as this makes a serviceable breakaway point. If this was stronger it would shift the issue to the tailgate panel itself resulting in a more expensive repair. I am in no way shape or form defending Ford's engineering choices, but coming from the Jeep world, I am concerned about the strength of the aluminum tailgate panels and the weight already applied by the spare tire.

Well let’s hope they accounted for that and stocked up on them. However if it breaks away when the vehicle the leaned to the passenger side the area where the hinges are attached to the swing gate will take all that shock loading. Not to mention If there happens to be a hard object before it reaches full opening

 

[Rubicon 2 Badlands]

Well let’s hope they accounted for that and stocked up on them. However if it breaks away when the vehicle the leaned to the passenger side the area where the hinges are attached to the swing gate will take all that shock loading. Not to mention If there happens to be a hard object before it reaches full opening

I like the idea of installing a limiting-strap. Something to look into.

 

[95Bravo]

@DWood , I had the exact same defect and it happened the same way - pulled the tailgate open and the vinyl threads from the strut "head" stripped off. Vinyl threads, @Ford Motor Company , seriously?

I hope your dealer fixed it. But when I called my dealer, they said the part was back-ordered (which I took to mean either (1) this problem is happening a lot, or more likely (2) extra parts are not even available yet).

I emailed Redline Tuning (they make a killer set of hood struts for our Broncos), and sent them pics of the part failure. They make a "head" that is the same size with metal threads!! And fairly priced at $10 for two. I threaded it on, popped it back in place. Good to go!

Here is a link for anyone who might need it in the future: https://www.redlinetuning.com/product-p/72-00006.htm

 

[DWood]

@DWood , I had the exact same defect and it happened the same way - pulled the tailgate open and the vinyl threads from the strut "head" stripped off. Vinyl threads, @Ford Motor Company , seriously?

I hope your dealer fixed it. But when I called my dealer, they said the part was back-ordered (which I took to mean either (1) this problem is happening a lot, or more likely (2) extra parts are not even available yet).

I emailed Redline Tuning (they make a killer set of hood struts for our Broncos), and sent them pics of the part failure. They make a "head" that is the same size with metal threads!! And fairly priced at $10 for two. I threaded it on, popped it back in place. Good to go!

Here is a link for anyone who might need it in the future: https://www.redlinetuning.com/product-p/72-00006.htm

Cool thanks and yes dealer replaced it, took about 3/4 weeks for it to come in.

 

[da_jokker]

@DWood , I had the exact same defect and it happened the same way - pulled the tailgate open and the vinyl threads from the strut "head" stripped off. Vinyl threads, @Ford Motor Company , seriously?

I hope your dealer fixed it. But when I called my dealer, they said the part was back-ordered (which I took to mean either (1) this problem is happening a lot, or more likely (2) extra parts are not even available yet).

I emailed Redline Tuning (they make a killer set of hood struts for our Broncos), and sent them pics of the part failure. They make a "head" that is the same size with metal threads!! And fairly priced at $10 for two. I threaded it on, popped it back in place. Good to go!

Here is a link for anyone who might need it in the future: https://www.redlinetuning.com/product-p/72-00006.htm

Bookmarked! Metal ends imagine that!

 

[Broncoder]

Here is a link for anyone who might need it in the future: https://www.redlinetuning.com/product-p/72-00006.htm

And my shopping list keeps growing!

 

[swooshdave]

When I was at the Off-Roadeo someone was leaning against an open tailgate.

Me:

 

[Fonz54]

@DWood , I had the exact same defect and it happened the same way - pulled the tailgate open and the vinyl threads from the strut "head" stripped off. Vinyl threads, @Ford Motor Company , seriously?

I hope your dealer fixed it. But when I called my dealer, they said the part was back-ordered (which I took to mean either (1) this problem is happening a lot, or more likely (2) extra parts are not even available yet).

I emailed Redline Tuning (they make a killer set of hood struts for our Broncos), and sent them pics of the part failure. They make a "head" that is the same size with metal threads!! And fairly priced at $10 for two. I threaded it on, popped it back in place. Good to go!

Here is a link for anyone who might need it in the future: https://www.redlinetuning.com/product-p/72-00006.htm

Thanks just ordered a pair to have in my spares box!

 

[Mike777]

As an FYI I had found this thread since mine broke recently and figured I'd try the cheap option first. Do not purchase the @Redline Tuning spares! It will not work and does not fit! I can't find anything similar so I guess I'm stuck purchasing a new swing strut.

[72-00006] Redline Tuning End-FittingBlack (Steel) with curved wire retainer (2 Pack) - Warning "Does not fit"

 

[Rosalieee]

Does anyone have the partner number of the replacement strut?

 

[BigHoof]

Looks like M2DZ-78406A10-A. Here is a thread with more info.

https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/thre...ate-terrible-design.51033/page-4#post-2078540

 

[adam1991]

Coming in late here. I got the soft top lift assist struts plus the hood struts, all from IAG; I couldn't help but notice that on the rear, it used the plastic ends with the captive push-on clip--but for the hood, they used something different with the slide-in pin to hold it on.

When I asked, they explained how the captive push-on clip is for the plastic ends, while for the hood application they used a different strut with metal ends, a better application for a hot environment like under the hood. Those metal ends require the slid-in pin.

I was happily learned. So I looked; my '23 swing gate has struts with the plastic on both ends, complete with captive slid-in clips. I won't complain if that is a sacrificial piece to save the swing gate metal from tearing. It looks very easy to replace.

And I agree on a limit strap. In fact, I'd be OK if that strut were just a strap.

 

[Brian_B]

In fact, I'd be OK if that strut were just a strap.

I thought the same thing until I parked facing uphill one day

My strut keeps popping off at random times, and it nearly knocked me on my butt. Fortunately I have a spare tire reinforcement that has a hard metal stop to keep the tailgate from crashing into the brake light (similar to what a strap would accomplish), but man it hit that hard and rebounded off pretty good.

It took some mighty heaving to get it closed again. It was a pretty steep hill.

That tailgate is a heavy mofo with my spare on there

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