2025 XL Maverick Tailgate Issue - broken/misaligned latch - help!?

[MaverickTahoe]

Hi all, not sure where to post this as I've never tried to repair a tailgate. See pictures for reference. I can't tell if I've popped a latch out or broken it. When facing the rear of the maverick, the right hand side of the tailgate has popped/broken and won't allow the truck to close. This does not involved the cable holds, but the actual metal piece that seems to fit into a white plastic circle. It's not a like for like vs the left side because I replaced that left side metal with the EZ soft close a while ago so I don't have a reference of what the right hand side should be like. Apologies on the bag pictures but I'm hoping someone could help with some advice?

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[Glen Baker LLC]

You are referring to the passenger side? If that's correct, I'll post it picture of the passenger side

 

[MaverickTahoe]

Yes the passenger side

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

Good luck

 

[MaverickTahoe]

Wow yours looks like a different part

 

[MaverickDragon]

LOTS of debris and surface damage..
Did the prior close attempt require you to force it?
If so, that might have bent that black part.
If you can't bend it back into shape, you should be able to get the part at a dealer or a pick-a-part.
You just need the right sized torx bit to remove / replace it.

 

[BK007]

Here is the parts list for a 25' Tailgate.

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

If you replace any of the brackets. Use Torx Plus bits.
There is a difference.

 

[BK007]

Our Mavericks use Torx Plus bits.
There is a difference.

Glen, I have found it uses both Torx Plus and Regular Torx. Have you ran into the same?

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

Glen, I have found it uses both Torx Plus and Regular Torx. Have you ran into the same?

Nope
Where did you find regular Torx being used?

 

[BK007]

Nope
Where did you find regular Torx being used?

In the bed or tailgate are definitely Torx plus, I've found that Ford uses standard Torx for a lot of the smaller, lighter-duty interior and exterior trim screws and small underbody are regular Torx. Perhaps it's just me?

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

In the bed or tailgate are definitely Torx plus, I've found that Ford uses standard Torx for a lot of the smaller, lighter-duty interior and exterior trim screws and small underbody torx.

It's not like a regular Torx won't fit in a Torx plus screw. It fits sloppily.
What I found is that you can remove the splash panel to do an oil change with the regular Torx but the Torx plus fits better.

 

[BK007]

It's not like a regular Torx won't fit in a Torx plus screw.
What I found is that you can remove the splash panel to do an oil change with the regular Torx but the Torx plus fits better.

That is true indeed. I have the larger Torx Plus bits and entire sets of standard Torx. Either one will work if need be. But the Plus on the larger ones does fit better.

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