I climbed into my 91 bronco this evening on my way home from work. When I closed the drivers door, the tailgate glass exploded! Nothing was touching it, the window was up. weather stripping is in fair condition. Has anyone else heard of this happening?
Exploding glass!
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Harrisburg, SD
Good info, my glass should be here today, for now I'm going to try to fix my existing talegate. Anything else I should need while I'm in there? Motor and every thing works great so that should be fine
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Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Harrisburg, SD
Of course the heat element on the glass was broken, so I had to turn the back glass down. the guy at the salvage yard is trying to locate a different one for me. One question for when I do finally get new glass- should I use my rivet gun to put the channel rollers back on the glass or should I use bolts like someone I read about at super motors did...id feel safer with bolts, It just seems my hand held rivet gun would break the glass before the shank of the rivet cuts off. 
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 6,804
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From: Tobyhanma, PA
Of course the heat element on the glass was broken, so I had to turn the back glass down. the guy at the salvage yard is trying to locate a different one for me. One question for when I do finally get new glass- should I use my rivet gun to put the channel rollers back on the glass or should I use bolts like someone I read about at super motors did...id feel safer with bolts, It just seems my hand held rivet gun would break the glass before the shank of the rivet cuts off.
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Joined: Oct 2011
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I have. My tailgate and driver door glass are gone due to this issue.
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Joined: Jun 2011
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From: Tacoma Wa
Reading this thread made my day....... as I just finished replacing the rear window on my 85....... Over the years I've replaced WAY too many Bronco rear windows to count (3 of my own and untold numbers of cust when I worked for Ford) lol.
Yes, the primary reasons for the breakage are either a mis-aligned top, a faulty limit switch....or my favorite....... a faulty/defective window motor where you need to lift the top in order to release the tailgate, with a high probability of flexing the glass causing it to shatter.
When I worked in the dealership, cutomers were always told that in order to open the tailgate to access and replace the bad window lift moter, there was a high probability that the window would break and need replaced as well.......
Michael
Yes, the primary reasons for the breakage are either a mis-aligned top, a faulty limit switch....or my favorite....... a faulty/defective window motor where you need to lift the top in order to release the tailgate, with a high probability of flexing the glass causing it to shatter.
When I worked in the dealership, cutomers were always told that in order to open the tailgate to access and replace the bad window lift moter, there was a high probability that the window would break and need replaced as well.......
Michael
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Joined: Apr 2005
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From: Longview, TX
What is the best way to adjust the tailgate alignment? I'm going to the Help! section at the parts store today for tail gate striker bushings. While I have the striker bolts off I want to align properly.
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Joined: Oct 2007
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well at least i am not alone haveing these back window problems my glass does not line up at all on the top and wants to go on the inside of the rubber almost like the canopy needs to go forward i am not sure what to do now i replaced the rear window channel rubber and the canapy/cab seal when the truck was painted last month i tighten up the canopy to cab bolts till they just about broke the only thing i can think of is ajusting the gate striker bolts to get the gate to come out a bit on the top but at 32 yo the 2 bolts are seized solid is there any movement possable for these strikers on a 79? i could drill&tap but there is no use if they dont move please advise if some one knows
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Elder User
Joined: Sep 2010
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From: Small acerage in Nebraska
While I'm here might as well update.
Last weekend I guess I added another reason for rear window glass exploding. I had just gotten my 91 unloaded from a hunting trip, and was inside my house relaxing and telling stories to my wife when we hear POP POP POP! Someone drove by and fired 3 shots from a 22lr at my bronc parked in the front yard! SOB!!! We rushed out all we could see was the tailights. In the rush I forgot to grab my 30-06 which still had 4 shell in the mag. Lucky for him I guess. Anyhow now I have to replace my windshield, backglass and a headlight bucket thanx to this punk. As well as a passenger window and windsheild on my 76 F150 from a previous hit.
Last weekend I guess I added another reason for rear window glass exploding. I had just gotten my 91 unloaded from a hunting trip, and was inside my house relaxing and telling stories to my wife when we hear POP POP POP! Someone drove by and fired 3 shots from a 22lr at my bronc parked in the front yard! SOB!!! We rushed out all we could see was the tailights. In the rush I forgot to grab my 30-06 which still had 4 shell in the mag. Lucky for him I guess. Anyhow now I have to replace my windshield, backglass and a headlight bucket thanx to this punk. As well as a passenger window and windsheild on my 76 F150 from a previous hit.
