Tailgate Splitting ??
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Junior User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 63
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From: OREGON
Tailgate Splitting ??
So the top right edge of my tail gate is splitting open on the side (about 2 inches so far). How would you go about making a good repair? It appears to be metal fatigue (from tire carrier closing??). I prefer to do my own amateur body work (gives it that personal touch)!
Thanks
Thanks
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 768
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From: Oromocto NB
Originally Posted by Salmonhead
So the top right edge of my tail gate is splitting open on the side (about 2 inches so far). How would you go about making a good repair? It appears to be metal fatigue (from tire carrier closing??). I prefer to do my own amateur body work (gives it that personal touch)!
Thanks
Thanks
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Junior User
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: OREGON
Thanks Bossind! Now I have to admit that I've just started looking at welders. http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...temnumber=6098. Do you think this is a reasonable home welder for someone on a tight budget?
Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 27
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From: New Mexico
Salmon, this will be fine for the project in question. I was fortunate enough to go through Auto Body I & II during 1991-92 and learned a lot about automotive welding. Good luck and have fun with the welder Sir. Bill
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 9,182
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From: Gateway to the West
You can keep this from happening to a tailgate and never have to take a welder to it at all. This is of course assuming yours hasn't begun to split. If you HAVE the exterior tire carrier on your Bronco, there is an issue with the way the carrier latches that is the principal cause of the tailgate "splitting its seams" as it were. The latch ISN'T the problem but it can be the cure. The problem is that the bumper at the bottom of the carrier is very thick and when you close the carrier it actually torques the carrier agaisnt the latch. The carrier was engineered to latch this way to keep it from rattling (a common problem with older versions of the carrier). This is great but the constant "pull" that the carrier does (even without a tire on it) against the outer skin of the gate, causes the edge to split. Check my gallery "Tire Carrier Torque Fix". I addressed the problem by shimming the latch on the gate out about 3/8" and filing about 1/4" of the rubber off of the lower rubber stop. The new tailgate shows no signs of stress and the carrier does not rattle at all... even loaded with a 33x 12.50 A/T mounted on it.
Last edited by greystreak92; Oct 8, 2005 at 12:28 AM.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 225
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From: Birmingham AL
Mine split about 2 inches on the right a couple of years ago. I took the carrier off and stored it in the garage.
1988 EB Bronco - 302 - AOD - 3.55 Lim Slip 8.8- Manual Hubs and Transfer Case - BFG 32/11.5 AT - 209,000 miles
1988 EB Bronco - 302 - AOD - 3.55 Lim Slip 8.8- Manual Hubs and Transfer Case - BFG 32/11.5 AT - 209,000 miles
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Junior User
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: OREGON
Thanks everybody - great information as usual! Greystreak, will it hurt to go ahead and trim the bottom stop until I get the shim material?
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Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 9,182
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From: Gateway to the West
No, it won't hurt at all. you just want to be careful not to trim too much or the carrier release handle will smack the painted surface of the gate when you close it.
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