Snapped hatch strut bracket

[Jason94sport]

So my drivers side hatch strut ball mount snapped off a year ago. Now my passenger side did. Completely snapped off flush to the bracket.

Has there been any update on a fix for this that doesn't require grinding, welding or some sort of custom work?

I've been using a 1X2X6 stick to hold it up for the last year, but would rather see if it can be fixed now both sides are broke.
Ford is useless. I been there....They no longer make the replacement bracket the 95+ TSB called for.

 

[FR-425]

Ball stud

And a nutsert: installs like a rivet.

 

[murkinstock]

I know there was a recall on this, I'm not sure if they'll still honor it. It say's they will add a "Reinforced bracket" So by that I'm guessing the just re-weld the mount on. I like the ball and nutsert idea better anyways though.

 

[2stroke]

Just get a tiny bolt and nut and drill through the strut. Simple, and bullet proof.

 

[Jason94sport]

Can you post a pic? Just drill through the strut into the bracket & secure with a bolt & nut through the hole? How do you get a nut on the other side of the bracket?

 

[2stroke]

I'm talking about the glass part only, you must mean the whole door. I'll take a look at mine later and see if I rigged anything up in the past.

 

[Anime]

Solution was in the old thread you posted about the first side.

If it's JUST the ball stud itself that has snapped off, and the rest of the bracket (including the tab the ball stud was in) is still intact, you can just drill out the tab, screw in the replacement ball mount (pictured above), and use a nylon retainer nut (or metal locknut) on the other side. It'll probably be better than the stock ball mount.

Usually what happens is the entire bracket gets ripped away from the sheetmetal on the liftgate. That's what the "reinforcement straps" on the recall/TSB do, but they are just strips of metal that are riveted over the bracket.

 

[Jason94sport]

Forgot I posted that.....Is the one in that link the right size?
I still don't see how to get a nut behind the bracket...

 

[FR-425]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sz2yZNqGNqo

 

[Anime]

Should be the right size, at least it was last I checked. The struts for the rear glass and the liftgate use very common ball stud sizes.

If there isn't enough space behind the tab to fit a nut, including a thinner nut or by banging back the sheet metal, then just drill the tab and tap it for the size of the threads that are on the ball stud, then thread the ball stud into it with some blue loctite on the threads.

If none of that works, drill the hole for a nutsert and use that.


You also may want to either get the factory strap kit from the recall or just drill a hole for a rivet on the corners of the bracket, which will help prevent the bracket tearing loose off of the stock press welds.

 

[Jason94sport]

Drilled the bracket. I got the ball kit from autozone. The only way that is going to work is to cut the threads down a lot. It's way too long. Then tap the hole for it. Will try that this weekend. There is zero way to get the nut behind the bracket. It's too big & the nutsert I found & sized up is also way too big.