Cracks in the rain gutter what's the deal with this?
Does the body crack or just the sealant?
All broncos or just some? (WHAT YEAR?)
What's the cause?
What's the cure?

 

All FORD'S do it!! It is the simple laws of expansion and contraction. The original sealant will lose it's elasticity, dry out and crack. I have a brother in-law in the boat buisness here in Miami. They use a product called 3M 5200 sealant. (3m is the manufacturer) and I used some on mine and it work's great!! It comes in a caulk tube, kinda expensive $8.50 a tube. Just lay a bead in the gutter and form it with an ice cube, do not get it on you it will make a real mess, so don't try to smooth it with your finger. It will not dry hard and lead to future cracking, stands up to the weather fantastic, and it seals incredible!!! It takes 48 hours to fully cure, and it can even cure under water so if it rains, it will not run and still cure. Once it is fully cured it is like a piece of rubber, flexible and will not crack.

She Ain't Revved Ti'll The Rods Are Thrown!
Al

 

If you're talking about the crack that developes on the rain gutter at the rear of the cab, it the body, (metal crack). It's a stress crack that can happen, covering a number of years, (I have them on my 85). There are some really good threads here on the subject, but I can't find them right now.. Look around at Bronco's, you'll see it's quite common.

Basically, the fix is to re-enforce the metal from inside. then refinish.

Oh, here it is.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...ht=rain+gutter

 

Good link howdy, its too bad Steve Uzi dident post pictures, measurments and complete description of all the contents of the factory repair kit. Any one else had the kit? I have a leaking issue in my truck too. I figured I would do the door weatherstripping at the same time as the gutter repair.

 

Got 'em too. Anyone ask Steve Uzi or anyone else that got the kit to scan the instructions and post? I'm hoping there is a diagram or two that we can plagiarize from.
Dru

 

Somebody posted a scan of the patch and I've seen a thread with pics., but I cant find the thing. I remember, because there was a discussion on whether to epoxy/rivet or just weld the plate in.

 

Alsair,
Where can you get this 3M 5200 sealant?

Warr

 

Another question on the 3M 5200 Alsair...is this a clear adhesive or does it come in colors?

Thanks!

 

Hey guys thanks for the input.
I was worried about cracks in the metal of the body.

The sealants that will seal the rain gutter are a commercial grade urethane joint caulking.
I used to be a contractor.
Any urethane (caulking) sealant will work. Don't use butyl rubber.

Home Depot sells vulkem caulk in tubes for siding,
Most masonry, paint or waterproofing dealers will have a product that will work great and comes in standard colors maybe 6 or 7 colors.
Body shop suppliers and boat paint suppliers will have something as well.
Just remember urethane.
Prep what you are working on like you are going to paint it.
Smooth caulk with a plastic spoon, dont make the depth of sealant more than the width (it won't be able to expand or contract if you do) make sure edges are stuck.
You can rub the top of sealant smooth with liquid dish soap and water 1/2 soap 1/2 water,(the soap will keep it from sticking to you.) Make sure to clean off all soapy water before painting.
Use lacquer thinner, acetone, xylene, or M.E.K. solvent to cleanup.
Be careful, most of those solvents will remove a lot more than the sealant.
And that sealant will stick to everything it touchs.
Now I know were to look for that leak I couldn't find last fall.

Go Easy

 

3M 5200 comes in white or black. The stuff is pretty incredible!! Home depot sells it, or any home center I'm sure.

Al

 

cool, I'll check it out today. Thanks ALSAIR!

 

3M 5200 sealant is a marine caulking adhesive, and comes in white and black, as aforementioned. you may be able to find it at a home center, but it is always available at any marine or boating center, and is usually cheaper there. there is also a 4200 sealant, which has a much quicker bonding time. personally, i use white 5200 for everything. it's excellent for repairing rain gutter cracks...i had the same problem and used 5200 along with an aircraft-grade epoxy. i used 5200 adhesive to secure the depthfinder mountings on my boat, and it's held up with no signs of deterioration for 3 years. that's 3 years of saltwater, UV rays, and 65 mph passages through water. i carry a tube of the stuff in my truck at all times now. it's really quite useful.

 

Thanks for the info, sounds like a very good product to have around shop.

Warr

 

You guys are killing me... LOL... I found the repair kit last weekend.. I will do my best to take pictures of it this weekend.. I will take the Instruction sheet into work and make a PDF out of it next week ok!

If I dont do it by WED of next week... please feel free to email me directly to hassle me ok!

 

My 95 EB leaks at the top driver's side corner of the windshield, dripping from the interior trim piece. I have suspected that this leak is from a bad seal on the windshield, but do you think it could be rain gutter related? I don't see any visible cracks...