2003 Hatch Applica' cracked

[Exp_Steve]

Have 112k miles on the Ex. Just noticed the applica' is cracked on the rear hatch. Started doing a lot of squeaking back there too. Any easy way to fix this? Crack goes up and down, near the windshield wiper. About 1/8" wide now.

 

[miker104]

Most install a new plastic piece with a 3M tape. Try a search.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=268665&highlight=crack

Here is a copy of the Ford TSB:

http://ww2.justanswer.com/uploads/eppic60/2008-05-31_165319_tsb05-24-02_cracked_applique.pdf

 

[RickM]

My second piece cracked and it ain't gettin' fixed. Someone should come up with a reasonably priced and attractive molding to disguise the crack. They'd do well saleswise.

 

[rocco123]

Squeak may be coming from the inner plastic cover that spans the width of the hatch. I placed small 1inch peices of rubber tubing (cut along it's length) and pushed over the edge of the panel. As for the crack in the outter panel, it's VERY common.

 

[Exproblems]

My second piece cracked and it ain't gettin' fixed. Someone should come up with a reasonably priced and attractive molding to disguise the crack. They'd do well saleswise.

My Explorer is jet black in color, so I bought a 3 ounce tube of black silicone from Advance Auto Parts and I filled in the crack the best I can. After the silicone hardened, I had to trim off the excess that expanded outside of the crack with an exacto knife. It still looks like $hit, because you can see the edge of the crack line, but I stopped any dirt, water or moisture from getting behind the panel and it should help keep it from rattling.

 

[leftlane36]

Welcome to the cracked club. I was lucky and was able find one at a local junk yard that was the same color as my Ex. I will say that was about the only thing on that Ex. that wasnt destroyed. I finally got lucky on finding what I needed