Tailgate assist install help! How to tighten the Allen bolt on the lower plate?

[Dad]

I cut the bottle opener in half and screwed it back on. Out of the way and useful as a tie down. Might not be as strong, but I don't see a big load there.

Yeah, I saw your post on that earlier on the thread as well as someone selling stainless steel replacements that don't interfere for $75 a pair. It looks like your hack is poking up into the cargo area. I would be concerned about catching something on it. I'm not criticizing your solution, just maybe something I wouldn't do for that reason. Thank you for sharing.

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[pxpaulx]

This had to be one of the worst designed bolt installs I've ever dealt with. Also it was freezing in my garage which made it painfully long to get done!

 

[SkeeterB]

Yeah, I saw your post on that earlier on the thread as well as someone selling stainless steel replacements that don't interfere for $75 a pair. It looks like your hack is poking up into the cargo area. I would be concerned about catching something on it. I'm not criticizing your solution, just maybe something I wouldn't do for that reason. Thank you for sharing.

Good thought. I made a ball peen adjustment and rotated it 180. Tucks in right by the 12v door and out of they way. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[Dad]

This had to be one of the worst designed bolt installs I've ever dealt with. Also it was freezing in my garage which made it painfully long to get done!

I've seen that design before with a method used to install additional tie downs (not the Maverick). Conceptually, a good idea, but manufacturer stinted on the bolt length which made it impossible to install. I had to purchase slightly longer bolts. Back to the Maverick: The bolt for the assist I purchased was long enough, but it was hard going until I removed the blue locktite. The plate has a round knob that you can pull on to cinch up the odd shaped nut.

 

[Dad]

From what I saw on the install video, you need to be putting some pulling pressure while you tighten it. If there is no pressure then it will just spin.

Good point ... using pressure to secure the bolt is the key.

 

[Dad]

Good thought. I made a ball peen adjustment and rotated it 180. Tucks in right by the 12v door and out of they way. Thanks for the suggestion.

You are very welcome. Sometimes all that is needed is another pair of eyes. Glad it worked out for you.

 

[dadd75]

Boy, remember when I installed the tailgate dampener on my F150, no issues. My Maverick is scheduled to be built end of August, and I have already bought the dampener, so we shall see.

 

[bwayne]

Hey Ford engineer! If you’re going to have an accessory available to replace a stock part, put a welded nut on it so it’s not a pain in the ass to install.

 

[Flight Test]

https://www.google.com/search?q=202...me&ie=UTF-8#kpvalbx=_0hn5YuTBIuqy5NoP9NuMIA15

This is probably too late. It shows the nut being screwed toward the plate to minimize slack and the nut shoulders must be in the correct orientation.

 

[Mymaverick2021]

I got it folks. Thanks everyone. I think the locktite they put on the bolt was the main culprit for turning a five minute job into a 45 minute job. Sometimes I think manufacturers just like to make us angry during installation.

Do it yourself and save

 

[Deleted User 109142]

Just installed the Dee Zee damper today. First put that nut in a vice and run the bolt up and down a couple of times to get the some of the Loctite off.
Then turn the screw in just enough to be able to get it thru the hole and turn to correct orientation.
I then used a plastic interior pop tool, also plastic, and put between the bracket on tailgate to keep pressure on the nut from turning out. I used a short allen socket to tighten.
BTW this kit works very well, so far.

 

[Edge Haley]

Use a vice or a pair of pliers and tighten the nut most of the way leaving just enough to put nut through hole. Rotate 90° and tighten pulling out slightly. It will tighten easily.

WHAT HE said....I had a really hard time also and finally used a large screw driver to pry the bold "outward"...while tightening. Like above suggested "tighten the nut most of the way first". Once you have it in...tighten the bolt very tight.

 

[Dad]

I installed mine so long ago I honestly could not remember how I overcame this issue. Thanks for reminding me and offering great advice for future installers.

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