1996 ford bronco tailgate
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 501
Likes: 0
From: Lincoln, NE
I'm going to guess that your torsion bar is broken on your tailgate. After I replaced mine, I have to push the tailgate down to extend it all the way. With the new torsion bar it has changed it from a heavy SoB to feather light. Mine broke inside the rubber sound deadening tube on the right angle bend on the far left side of the tailgate. Without the torsion bar I needed the spare tire latch for a handle to lift the tailgate.
Take a look at this to see how to fix it.
Torsion System Broken in tailgate - Ford Bronco Forum
Take a look at this to see how to fix it.
Torsion System Broken in tailgate - Ford Bronco Forum
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 3
Likes: 1
Thanks Dave. You’re right it must be broken. There is no pressure on the bar at the bracket on the passenger
Side. I had a new one back in 1988 but just bought this 1996 a couple of weeks ago. I didn’t remember the gate this heavy so I started looking around and found a broken torsion bar was fairly common as they age.
Thanks for the tip!
Thanks for the tip!
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 9,182
Likes: 12
From: Gateway to the West
The bar may not necessarily be broken, especially if the glass has not suffered catastrophic damage. Inside the gate there is a metal trough that is formed from two stamped pieces of steel. I've seen one or both of these pieces rust badly enough to let the bar slip out of the trough thereby losing the efficacy of the torsion bar but not providing the tell-tale shattered back glass to alert the owner.
1st Gear
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
DeeZee assist?? will it work??
I was wondering the same thing??? I was gonna try it this weekend and see how it goes. I'm a shrimpy girl and struggle bus my dang gate all the time. I'll let ya know how it goes I guess.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 10,471
Likes: 2,633
From: Near Salt Lake City
Laina, It's an old thread
Remove your cover and inspect the torsion bar
The tailgates are feather light to operate when it is all there and working properly
Good luck, Paul
Remove your cover and inspect the torsion bar
The tailgates are feather light to operate when it is all there and working properly
Good luck, Paul
Trending Topics
FTE Emeritus
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,288
Likes: 200
From: springfield Missouri area
Chris your neighbor on facebook has some good you-tube videos of tailgate repair. shows the torsion bar brackets and all.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 10,471
Likes: 2,633
From: Near Salt Lake City
When you or whoever fixes it
Put a garbage can with some wood and towels on it behind the open tailgate
That way when you raise the glass with the tailgate open
The glass will not somehow unexpectedly pop out of there and break
Done it
You be careful
Good luck
BTW those torsion bars are a bit mean to replace (have help, modify a deep socket maybe) if it helps
Put a garbage can with some wood and towels on it behind the open tailgate
That way when you raise the glass with the tailgate open
The glass will not somehow unexpectedly pop out of there and break
Done it
You be careful
Good luck
BTW those torsion bars are a bit mean to replace (have help, modify a deep socket maybe) if it helps
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
BroncoBilt
1978 - 1996 Big Bronco
3
Nov 22, 2014 09:28 PM