2018 Explorer 'D' pillar deforms

[Mazboy]

This Pilar started melting last year and it’s getting worse. Saturday I heard a noise like water drops so I got out of my truck and put my hand on it and felt it clicking for a few and it stopped and ideas what it could be ??

 

[J_C]

Maybe just friction of the piece rubbing on the sides? I mean if it's getting hot enough to deform like that, then there must be significant expansion and contraction as the vehicle temperature changes.

I'd assume it just needs replaced.

 

[Odrapnew]

How did it melt?
That part I believe is ABS plastic, so it has a heat deflection temp of about 200F and melt point around 400F.
I think it had to get somewhere between those to temps to get that deformation.

The clicking could just be it expanding/contracting.

 

[J_C]

^ I don't have an '18 so IDK, but what's on my '14 in piano black looks like polycarbonate or acrylic to me.

 

[peterk9]

This Pilar started melting last year and it’s getting worse. Saturday I heard a noise like water drops so I got out of my truck and put my hand on it and felt it clicking for a few and it stopped and ideas what it could be ??

Welcome to the Forum.
I'm very curious as to why that happened. I don't believe anyone has reported having this same issue. I wonder if the rear HVAC unit has anything to do with it? Unfortunately, to replace that 'D' pillar, the window must be removed as well. Cracked D Pillar

Exterior Trim - Quarter Panel for 2018 Ford Explorer | Auto Nation Ford White Bear Lake

parts.autonationfordwhitebearlake.com

Peter

 

[mguy13sport]

That looks like heat deformity. Never seen that before

 

[Fix4Dirt]

you felt it clicking? is there some relay back there thats clicking on/off and heating up? seeing this brought back some memories Subaru melted 2022 Onyx Outback

was this an act of vandalism? did someone heat it w heat gun or soemthing like that?

 

[Mazboy]

How did it melt?
That part I believe is ABS plastic, so it has a heat deflection temp of about 200F and melt point around 400F.
I think it had to get somewhere between those to temps to get that deformation.

The clicking could just be it expanding/contracting.

I am from Boston Mass so it doesn’t get that hot here

 

[J_C]

Maybe there was some incompatible solvent in wax/other you (or the dealer/detailer/whoever) put on it? I hate to even touch the piano black trim on mine because it scratches so easily. I mean I do wash with a separate microfiber cloth but still... would've rather it had brushed, anodized black aluminum trim.

 

[Fix4Dirt]

piano black trim on mine because it scratches so easily.

dont even look at its, its gonna scratch i like my normalblack plastic on the 2nd gen, just wish it didnt fade so easily

 

[Sunroofguy]

Is it possible that the deformation is caused by a focused reflection, like the skyscraper in London?
(This London Glass Skyscraper Could Melt Jaguars, Fry Eggs and Start Fires)

 

[Dennis J.A.A.]

This Pilar started melting last year and it’s getting worse. Saturday I heard a noise like water drops so I got out of my truck and put my hand on it and felt it clicking for a few and it stopped and ideas what it could be ??

View attachment 429307 View attachment 429308 View attachment 429309

Personally I would remove as much as possible to see if there is a short in there before the whole car goes up in flames.

 

[peterk9]

Personally I would remove as much as possible to see if there is a short in there before the whole car goes up in flames.

To remove the pillar, the side window has to come out.

Peter

 

[Mazboy]

Is it possible that the deformation is caused by a focused reflection, like the skyscraper in London?
(This London Glass Skyscraper Could Melt Jaguars, Fry Eggs and Start Fires)

That’s what I was told it may be the reflection of the sun bouncing off the window