Broken strut for rear tailgate (terrible design!)

[Lifeliberty]

Oo

Hello Everyone,
We have received feedback from customers that Ford has changed the gas springs used in the tailgate and that "sometimes" the end fittings do not work. It seems that "some" gas springs have different threads on each end. I am not sure if Ford has multiple suppliers for the gas springs or if they made a running change. The only way to know for sure is to take off the end fittings from your current gas springs and confirm they are M6x1 thread (the same as our metal end fittings). It's odd because the M6x1 thread is the industry standard for end fittings on gas springs.

I was going to tag you in on this for your thoughts. Thanks for the reply and clarification.
I have the metal redline replacement. I Haven't needed them yet, but I will see if they fit my May 22 build

Anyone that didn't fit, take strut to hardware store and see what size it is

Edit: mine don't fit, different thread

I guess next step/fix/alternative would be
https://hammerbuilt.shop/products/l...or-6th-gen-bronco?_pos=2&_sid=d1d68d0c5&_ss=r

Sponsored

 

[TX-Dennis]

I wonder what Ford thought was wrong with Jeep's solution - a reinforced fabric strap?

 

[da_jokker]

I wonder what Ford thought was wrong with Jeep's solution - a reinforced fabric strap?

I wish they had done that on the doors... Everytime the wife/kid swing open the Bronco doors and it bottoms out those hinges mounted to an aluminum door I cringe.

 

[Bellime]

As @Lifeliberty mentioned we have metal replacement end fittings available here:

https://www.redlinetuning.com/product-p/72-00006.htm

I just received my order of these replacements, they are NOT the same thread as the struts. The replacements from this company have a M6-1.0 thread.

I checked the OEM strut thread is a SAE 20 count #10.

my FORD OEM clips haven’t broke yet, but would rather have a set of steel ones.

 

[Bellime]

I just received my order of these replacements, they are NOT the same thread as the struts. The replacements from this company have a M6-1.0 thread.

I checked the OEM strut thread is a SAE 20 count #10.

my FORD OEM clips haven’t broke yet, but would rather have a set of steel ones.

Well, FORD (@Ford Motor Company). It appears the suppliers pulled a fast one for using none standard parts.

 

[Lifeliberty]

One of my end fittings was popping off letting the tailgate swing wildly out. So I got the Hammerbuilt strut.
I tried putting the redline ends on the Hammerbuilt strut, they don't fit that strut either.

I put the Hammerbuilt strut on the tailgate. I love that it limits tailgate travel to 90°. But it has twice the pressure of the Ford strut. You definitely need to hang on to the door while opening, and it has no partial detents/stops like the Ford.

At the very least it looks like the ends of the Hammerbuilt will fit the Ford strut, but I have not tried. I will if I ever want the Ford strut back in, but the Hammerbuilt is fine for now, I'll try it a while

 

[2023bronco]

Mountains2Metal is supplying a metal end fitting that does NOT fit the strut.

Beware if you buy the M2M tailgate limiter! Use the factory plastic end and not their steel one.

 

[Mountains2Metal]

Mountains2Metal is supplying a metal end fitting that does NOT fit the strut.

Beware if you buy the M2M tailgate limiter! Use the factory plastic end and not their steel one.

Correct, it is not the right thread because the threads are self tapping designed to go into plastic. The metal end fitting we supply does work, even though the threads are not perfect. We worked with an engineer that specializes in gas struts and this is the solution that we came up with.

 

[Bellime]

Correct, it is not the right thread because the threads are self tapping designed to go into plastic. The metal end fitting we supply does work, even though the threads are not perfect. We worked with an engineer that specializes in gas struts and this is the solution that we came up with.

Yeah, I replaced my plastic ends with the commercial metal ends. Just had to be careful getting them set.

 

[Lifeliberty]

Does anyone know where to get replacement ends for the Ford strut? Metal or plastic, I don't care.

The redline don't fit the Ford strut and the Hammerbuilt ones will need cut to fit the Ford strut(which I can do but id rather not) and I have not even tested the thread fit if I do alter them. I can see if the fords that onto the Hammerbuilt strut for fitment but I haven't done that yet

I ended putting the Ford strut back on because of the force of the Hammerbuilt limiting strut. I really had to hold onto the tailgate when opening. And of course the Ford strut is popping off when opening

 

[Beach_Bum]

Does anyone know where to get replacement ends for the Ford strut? Metal or plastic, I don't care.

@broadicustomworks Do you have the part # for the metal one?

 

[TEAMSLO]

Damn, saw the redline link and ordered too quick.

 

[broadicustomworks]

@broadicustomworks Do you have the part # for the metal one?

I got a few sets of the Redline ones.
they were Cheap enough to warrant getting a few sets to give out to people I met who needed one.
It worked for me.
I guess it seems at some point the vendor Ford uses maybe did a bait-n-switch, or swapped parts due to not having the exact thread pitch in stock, but the right length and such were, but with different ends.

 

[Bird Dog Off Road]

Hell, does anyone know the Ford part number for the strut replacement? I have a 2021 built in the last week, so not sure if the Redline Tuning ones would work or not.

 

[Bird Dog Off Road]

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

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

Are you see the same issues with some threads not fitting? What size is the hole?

Sponsored