SomebodyInGNV
Well-known member
- First Name
- Chris
- Joined
- Feb 6, 2022
- Threads
- 8
- Messages
- 324
- Reaction score
- 115
- Location
- Gainesville, FL
- Vehicles
- '21 F150 4WD 301A 3.5L w/ HDPP
- Occupation
- retired
- Thread starter
- #1
I'm swapping tailgates and was swapping hinges. In the process, the block that secures the right end of the torsion bar, inside the bottom of the tailgate, broke. It is depicted very clearly in Figure 2, page 2, in TSB 22-2327, "Tailgate Snap, Click and/or Pop Noise when Closing". (I learned of that TSB in a different thread.)
Ironically, I didn't have to loosen the bolts to accomplish what I was trying to do, but that wasn't evident from the exterior at the time. It shouldn't have broken because the TSB describes loosening those bolts for adjustment. I guess they were rusted in place. After I got them out I found that the upper block cracked in half. The torsion bar now is not secured and doesn't provide support.
The part is clearly engraved with a part number, ML34-99430A34-EB. That's even shown in the picture. My local Ford dealer can't find it anywhere. I referred them to the TSB for visual identification. He used that information to look in the parts guide and found nothing that way, either. The torsion rod is depicted but the mounting block is not.
I can scavenge for the part at a local U-Pik-It but nothing prevents those bolts from breaking during removal, too.
I may resort to having a machine shop weld it, extract the broken bolts and re-tap it, but I'd rather buy intact.
Where do I go from here? Suggestions?
Ironically, I didn't have to loosen the bolts to accomplish what I was trying to do, but that wasn't evident from the exterior at the time. It shouldn't have broken because the TSB describes loosening those bolts for adjustment. I guess they were rusted in place. After I got them out I found that the upper block cracked in half. The torsion bar now is not secured and doesn't provide support.
The part is clearly engraved with a part number, ML34-99430A34-EB. That's even shown in the picture. My local Ford dealer can't find it anywhere. I referred them to the TSB for visual identification. He used that information to look in the parts guide and found nothing that way, either. The torsion rod is depicted but the mounting block is not.
I can scavenge for the part at a local U-Pik-It but nothing prevents those bolts from breaking during removal, too.
I may resort to having a machine shop weld it, extract the broken bolts and re-tap it, but I'd rather buy intact.
Where do I go from here? Suggestions?
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