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Ford Explorer Community - Maintenance - Modifications - Performance Upgrades - Problem Solving - Off-Road - Street
Explorer Forum Covers the Explorer ST, Explorer Sport, Explorer Sport Trac, Lincoln Aviator, Mercury Mountaineer, Mazda Navajo, Ford Ranger, Mazda Pickups, and the Ford Aerostar
how can i fix the crack on the tail gate under the window on my 2003 explorer. The crack is now all the way down under the window. It is getting wider as the weather gets cold and looks awful how can i fill it in. Thanks,
I have a crack under the window of the tail gate. It now goes all the way down. It is getting wider as the weather gets colder. I really need someones help on how to fix it. It really looks awful. Please help
To those that havent cracked yet, you can be as careful as you like opening and closing the tailgate, unfortunately I doubt its going to minimise this issue occuring. I bought my 05 LTD about 1 year ago knowing full well about the issue and being stoked that mine did not have the crack. I babied that tailgate whenever I opened/closed it yet it still cracked 6 months later. Woke up one morning and it was there. It started as a faint line and the next day (X hadnt moved either) it was a full blown crack, top to bottom. The local Ford tech accused me of slamming the tailgate and refused to accept it is a known issue with these vehicles.
Seems like every second or third, third-gen Explorer I see has this problem. Knock wood, we haven't had this problem yet but I think I may have just jinxed us
The common accepted cause for the 3rd Gen tailgate crack is that the plastic panel that cracks does not expand/contract at the same rate as the glass it is mounted to, and the adhesive Ford used to mount the panel does not have the flexibility necessary to allow them to expand/contract at their own rates. As such, as the temperatures start to fluctuate rapidly (spring/fall) is generally when the cracks start to appear.
I wonder if opening the full tail gate or just the window section has an effect on it cracking or not...can any one who has this crack tell me when it cracked if you seen it happen? dont know if that makes sense
i've been putting my palm on the Ford logo and closing it that way. . ????
don't want to jinx myself but we have a March of '04 St Louis build EB. . .if that matters????
It's all adhesive- the way it's closed doesn't matter. I'd be interested in seeing how many Florida Ex's have cracks vs. northern state Ex's have cracks, due to larger weather fluctuations...
It's all adhesive- the way it's closed doesn't matter. I'd be interested in seeing how many Florida Ex's have cracks vs. northern state Ex's have cracks, due to larger weather fluctuations...
I wonder if opening the full tail gate or just the window section has an effect on it cracking or not...can any one who has this crack tell me when it cracked if you seen it happen? dont know if that makes sense
Basically the glue that holds the plastic on will expand and contract, eventually cracking the plastic. When it's cold out, I have about an 1/8" gap. When it's hot out and in the sun, then gap almost closes comletely.
Check out my Facebook page for owners of Ford Explorers with cracked tailgates. If we unite and are loud enough, surely Ford will not want the negative publicity and do the right thing by repairing this problem.
I literally just created the page, and will get pictures of my own cracked Explorer on there tomorrow. However, feel free to go ahead and join, comment and submit your own pictures.
fortuanelty for me after reading ever post on here lol i am very careful opening and closing the tailgate.
