Soft top rear bow corner cast aluminum bracket broken.

[Gman06880]

Wondering if anyone has seen this before....

I have a 2023 version (v2?)of the soft top....I noticed that rear window was a bit warped. Once I removed the windows, the bow separated/split at the driver side corner.

Looks like the aluminum corner bracket cracked at the point where it meets the rear trunk bar. There is no visible damage to the soft top anywhere. I don't frequently open/prop the rear so there really haven't been any unusual stresses on the bow.

I'm thinking its a stress crack that let go....

I was hoping to find the corner bracket as a standalone part but it looks like the entire bow comes as a unit and its both pricey to buy and even more pricey to ship....any help in identifying the replacement part (just the corner bracket) would be appreciated!

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[Ford Motor Company]

Wondering if anyone has seen this before....

I have a 2023 version (v2?)of the soft top....I noticed that rear window was a bit warped. Once I removed the windows, the bow separated/split at the driver side corner.

Looks like the aluminum corner bracket cracked at the point where it meets the rear trunk bar. There is no visible damage to the soft top anywhere. I don't frequently open/prop the rear so there really haven't been any unusual stresses on the bow.

I'm thinking its a stress crack that let go....

I was hoping to find the corner bracket as a standalone part but it looks like the entire bow comes as a unit and its both pricey to buy and even more pricey to ship....any help in identifying the replacement part (just the corner bracket) would be appreciated!

Good morning! If you send over a DM with your VIN and Ford dealer info, I can look into your concerns on my end.

 

[flip]

Yup. If something didn't get under the bow when closing, I feel like the tension from the straps, latch adjustment and a couple other things are putting too much up pressure on it and will eventually break.

I think I've got the left bracket off the hoop we replaced as it was the other side that broke. Before putting a new one on, you should probably see how much tension is on there when closing and see if you can relieve it.

DM me your shipping info and I'll send it. Ford doesn't service these alone like you noted.

@fordmotorcompany. You're welcome.

 

[Gman06880]

Thanks Flip! DM sent.

I think its the strap putting too much pressure on this....there seems to be limited options to adjust this as moving the rear latch brackets up puts daylight under the weatherstrip and I lose the seal above the rear quarter panel and the straps aren't adjustable without mods.

 

[MiDukes]

Yup. If something didn't get under the bow when closing, I feel like the tension from the straps, latch adjustment and a couple other things are putting too much up pressure on it and will eventually break.

I think I've got the left bracket off the hoop we replaced as it was the other side that broke. Before putting a new one on, you should probably see how much tension is on there when closing and see if you can relieve it.

DM me your shipping info and I'll send it. Ford doesn't service these alone like you noted.

@fordmotorcompany. You're welcome.

I am having the same issue. Passenger side broken and drivers side showing stress cracks in the black surface. Did you help resolve this for the original poster?

@fordmotorcompany can you be of any help? This part was a few hundred dollars a couple years ago and is now over a thousand. Can we just. It the aluminum bracket instead of the whole piece?

 

[MiDukes]

I am having the same issue. Passenger side broken and drivers side showing stress cracks in the black surface. Did you help resolve this for the original poster?

@fordmotorcompany - can you help with this issue? Part number, replacement?

 

[Gman06880]

@fordmotorcompany - can you help with this issue? Part number, replacement?

I did a repair using aluminum flat stock that has held up really well and feels stronger than the original bracket. The finished repair looks fine to me and really unnoticeable unless you really compare both sides.

 

[MiDukes]

I did a repair using aluminum flat stock that has held up really well and feels stronger than the original bracket. The finished repair looks fine to me and really unnoticeable unless you really compare both sides.

Thanks!

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