Broken Tailgate Straps.
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,851
Likes: 111
From: SW Va
A proactive company, proud of it's product, wouldn't wait for something bad to happen, they'd act out of responsibility & put things right.
Seems to me all they would have to do is have galvanized wire under that shrink wrap, then you wouldn't have the rust problem.
Going fishing tomorrow, hope mine doesn't break when I step on it to launch & recover my boat!!!!
Seems to me all they would have to do is have galvanized wire under that shrink wrap, then you wouldn't have the rust problem.
Going fishing tomorrow, hope mine doesn't break when I step on it to launch & recover my boat!!!!
Senior User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 161
Likes: 0
From: Spring Hill, KS
My '94 is on its 3rd set of straps, 1 of them just broke again last week so I guess it's about time to change them again!
I have noticed that no matter what I did to try and prevent the rust and corrosion...nothing really helped... After the first set broke I wrapped each strap with a hefty couple of layers of black tape. The 3rd se that I have now also got wrapped in tape, but I also covered the wires in grease trying to keep the Michigan road salts out. Every couple of years though, they have to be replaced. Always get them at Ford, they never cost more than I can afford. But they sure are a hassle, and to an extent dangerous.
I wonder if you can sue Ford for a slip-and-fall accident caused by their product in your driveway? Maybe that is what would have to happen in order to get Ford's attention long enough to actually fix the problem the right way!?
I have noticed that no matter what I did to try and prevent the rust and corrosion...nothing really helped... After the first set broke I wrapped each strap with a hefty couple of layers of black tape. The 3rd se that I have now also got wrapped in tape, but I also covered the wires in grease trying to keep the Michigan road salts out. Every couple of years though, they have to be replaced. Always get them at Ford, they never cost more than I can afford. But they sure are a hassle, and to an extent dangerous.
I wonder if you can sue Ford for a slip-and-fall accident caused by their product in your driveway? Maybe that is what would have to happen in order to get Ford's attention long enough to actually fix the problem the right way!?
Tuned
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 263
Likes: 0
From: ELLICOTT CITY, MD. USA
I had a '88 f-150 and had the same problem. I would venture to say that they didn't both break at the same time. They probably were both weak and one was weaker than the other. When the load was applied, it appeared to let go at the same time. It really is a crappy design. It would be better if they had a piece of loose hose on them to avoid scratching the paint. It would be similar to the old chin design on the old trucks. The water does penetrate into the rubber and eat away at the cable. Even galvenized cable will rot away eventually. I used to haul 2 atv's with one resting on the gate. Never had any problems with that. It's just a cheap, crappy design. BTW i usually hang out on the '48-'60 forum.
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BDYY
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
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