Tell Ford about unequal tailgate cables

[markinvictoria]

Probably more likely is the tailgate has a slight warp to it.

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[Tbone289]

Probably more likely is the tailgate has a slight warp to it.

I would say that this is at least as likely as the cables being dramatically different lengths. Welded sheet metal assemblies like a tailgate aren't going to be perfectly straight, and that's the reason why there's so much adjustment in the latch mechanisms. Combine a tailgate that is slightly not straight and a cable that is a couple mm longer than the other in the correct combination, and you have what appears to be a cable that is quite a bit shorter/longer than the other.

Mine are pretty much equal, but if I had two cables that seemed different lengths and that bothered me (it wouldn't), I would consider swapping the two cables side-to-side (while supporting the tailgate safely while they're both off) to see what difference it makes. Measure them accurately while they're off. If you end up with the same situation (long/short cable on the same side) after the swap, it would be due to a tailgate that isn't perfectly straight rather than cables of different lengths. Either way, it's not really an issue.

It would take some time and effort to investigate it this way, but the effort would likely be more fruitful than spamming Ford Customer Service about it.

 

[MetalThunder]

cable assemblies like this are avoided in my industry because of tolerance issues exactly like these - this has been an issue since 2022 Maverick Debut and is not a make or break part for it's purpose -IMHO just don't look at it because if people have been complaing for 4 straight years and it has not changed - it isn't

Cheers

 

[KenR]

Did you try adjusting the top black latch bolt that the cable is attached?

 

[Nw_adventure]

I went through like 6 different cable sets and finally gave up on a pair that matched length/tension -

 

[Bob zimmerman]

Yah, I don’t really care either. One of mine is slightly slack when the tailgate is open. When I put plywood in the back, they even out.

So many things in this would to worry about but my tailgate cables don’t come to mind.
Bob

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