Rust on rear hatch lock

[lincolnshibuya]

did somebody able to do a fix on this rust issue? mine has that rear hatch lock rattle that I suspect is due to rust. this is how it looks like inside (from a junk yard unit)

 

[rocco123]

Fixed mine several years ago. Several posts on the issue are out there

 

[lincolnshibuya]

how did you fix it?
thanks for the descriptive post anyway

 

[rocco123]

I removed the rear panel (the one noted for cracking on 3rd gen) , disconnected the wiper assy as I believe it holds it all together. I then welded the loop that is held by the latch onto a thin sheet of steel. I do recall trimming a bit of the plastic panel right where ford emblem is so it would fit the new plate. Then reassembled everything and bought the correct glue for securing the plastic panel.

 

[lincolnshibuya]

thanks, not sure how long mine will hold up. I just told them not to ever open that hatch and use the main one. I also don't want to replace/buy a new rear appliq, the butt crack makes it a "ford product".

 

[rocco123]

Eventually it will gail. Hope you have good hinges for the window as they were a recall item. Mine failed while on vacation and it really really sucked. Found real was not included for a limited, yet the same part