Latest Door Crack Theory
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Joined: Aug 1999
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From: Toronto
Latest Door Crack Theory
Stopped by a large dealership that sells alot of trucks, new and used the other day.
Examining the 30 some odd trucks on the lot, with the service manager. We noticed that those trucks that HAVE the crack also have a softer, rubber like elbow that could be pried up, at the bottom corner of the window around where the crack appears. The trucks that DO NOT have the crack have a hard plastic piece that cannot be bent or pried up in the slightest.
Some 98's and most 99's have the harder piece of plastic and do not have the crack.
Couldn't verify build dates though. The dealer thinks that it may be a sign of Ford's fix for this problem, as the newer trucks with the hard elbow don't have the crack.(He does admit that Ford has been pretty quiet when it comes to the infamous crack)
Do the members that have the crack have a soft rubbery elbow (similar to the rest of the weather stripping) or do you have the HARD plastic piece that seems to be appearing in newer models?
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99 2wd S/C s/b XLT 4.6 Triton auto. w/3.08
BONE STOCK...for now
Examining the 30 some odd trucks on the lot, with the service manager. We noticed that those trucks that HAVE the crack also have a softer, rubber like elbow that could be pried up, at the bottom corner of the window around where the crack appears. The trucks that DO NOT have the crack have a hard plastic piece that cannot be bent or pried up in the slightest.
Some 98's and most 99's have the harder piece of plastic and do not have the crack.
Couldn't verify build dates though. The dealer thinks that it may be a sign of Ford's fix for this problem, as the newer trucks with the hard elbow don't have the crack.(He does admit that Ford has been pretty quiet when it comes to the infamous crack)
Do the members that have the crack have a soft rubbery elbow (similar to the rest of the weather stripping) or do you have the HARD plastic piece that seems to be appearing in newer models?
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99 2wd S/C s/b XLT 4.6 Triton auto. w/3.08
BONE STOCK...for now
Senior Member
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 378
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From: Bradenton, Fl. USA
You know I bet that is it, the rubber on mine and my stepfathers truck is very difficult to move. It will barely budge. That must be the difference I could not figure out.
[This message has been edited by seacrow (edited 10-15-1999).]
[This message has been edited by seacrow (edited 10-15-1999).]
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Joined: Jan 1999
Posts: 299
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I don't think that's it. I just went and checked mine to see if it has hard or soft. You cannot move the rubber at all. It appears to be very hard rubber. The crack I have is just about 1/8 of an inch below the top of that hard piece of rubber.
It has to be opening and shutting the door with the window down.
I am notorious for riding around with my windows down and mostly by myself. If someone is with me the windows are up and the air on. I get in the truck, shut the drivers door and then roll both windows down. I get in and out of the drivers door and the passenger door is never opened and shut while the window is down unless I walk out there at night and open the passenger door to roll the window up and then shut the door. Thus, the passenger door is never moved to a shut position from an open position with the window down. I have the crack on the drivers door and not the passenger door yet both windows are always rolled down.
If you locate the area of the crack on the inside of the door you'll notice that it is just past where the door makes it's transition from the wide area at the bottom to the think area around the window. The door has a curve in it. I postulate that the curve in the door is 'bouncing' when you shut the door with the window down, ie. it doesn't have enough strength to hold it's shape and flexes. This, IMHO, is causing the cracks.
This same flex probably occurs under other circumstances, rolling the windows down/up, opening and shutting the door, etc. But, the window being rolled up would provide a measure of protection since it would help the curve in the door maintain it's shape.
For you Ford engineers out there, I'll take a piece of sheetmetal welded to the inside of the door to stabalize that curve if you're listening. Just a thin sheet of sheet metal and then weld up the crack and paint the immediate area. I don't think I want a new door.
What do you guys think? :-)
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98 SC/XL/4.2/5 speed/3.08/MoonLight Blue Metalic/Mobil One Synthetic/235.70S.16 Michelin XC LT4/AR-136 Wheels/Chrome Nerf Bars/Bug Shield/Aluminum Tool Box/K&N/Superchip/NOS maybe. Soon.
It has to be opening and shutting the door with the window down.
I am notorious for riding around with my windows down and mostly by myself. If someone is with me the windows are up and the air on. I get in the truck, shut the drivers door and then roll both windows down. I get in and out of the drivers door and the passenger door is never opened and shut while the window is down unless I walk out there at night and open the passenger door to roll the window up and then shut the door. Thus, the passenger door is never moved to a shut position from an open position with the window down. I have the crack on the drivers door and not the passenger door yet both windows are always rolled down.
If you locate the area of the crack on the inside of the door you'll notice that it is just past where the door makes it's transition from the wide area at the bottom to the think area around the window. The door has a curve in it. I postulate that the curve in the door is 'bouncing' when you shut the door with the window down, ie. it doesn't have enough strength to hold it's shape and flexes. This, IMHO, is causing the cracks.
This same flex probably occurs under other circumstances, rolling the windows down/up, opening and shutting the door, etc. But, the window being rolled up would provide a measure of protection since it would help the curve in the door maintain it's shape.
For you Ford engineers out there, I'll take a piece of sheetmetal welded to the inside of the door to stabalize that curve if you're listening. Just a thin sheet of sheet metal and then weld up the crack and paint the immediate area. I don't think I want a new door.
What do you guys think? :-)
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98 SC/XL/4.2/5 speed/3.08/MoonLight Blue Metalic/Mobil One Synthetic/235.70S.16 Michelin XC LT4/AR-136 Wheels/Chrome Nerf Bars/Bug Shield/Aluminum Tool Box/K&N/Superchip/NOS maybe. Soon.
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Joined: Jan 1999
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Testing updated sig...
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98 SC/XL/4.2/5 speed/3.08/MoonLight Blue Metalic/Mobil One Synthetic/235.70S.16 Michelin XC LT4/AR-136 Wheels/Chrome Nerf Bars/Bug Shield/Aluminum Tool Box/K&N/Superchip/NOS maybe.
DAMN FLEXING DOOR CRACK!
Ford Engineering, reinforce the curve in the door! The cracks will stop.
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98 SC/XL/4.2/5 speed/3.08/MoonLight Blue Metalic/Mobil One Synthetic/235.70S.16 Michelin XC LT4/AR-136 Wheels/Chrome Nerf Bars/Bug Shield/Aluminum Tool Box/K&N/Superchip/NOS maybe.
DAMN FLEXING DOOR CRACK!
Ford Engineering, reinforce the curve in the door! The cracks will stop.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 229
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From: Ypsilanti, michigan
I met a fellow F150 owner yesterday at work, he has a white one like mine. It is a 97, but built in early 98. His center arm console has the locking mechanism which I thought only started in 98 model, but he says his is a 97 built in 98 which makes a difference. I showed him all the little things which are concerns to us, ie: door pilar crack, which he has (boy, he was not happy!) and btw, he has hard plastic and the crack is about 1/4 inch below the top of the hard corner sleeve. It is only starting (he got the truck around the same time I did, with 16K miles only!, july 99). I told him about the spare, showed him mine and also told him to play with his tire winch a couple times. He has warranty left. He has the 4.6 so he should not hear the piston slap.
On monday, I will go to his office and set him up to surf on over to f150online since he doesn't have home internet, expect a new member soon!
Anyways, he has the crack, and a hard corner sleeve like mine. I still don't have it!
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David
'99 F150 XLT SC, STYLESIDE
4X4 ORP 5.4L, AUTOMATIC,
139wb, Rhino, K&N,
BugGuard, RainGuards
Superchip
On monday, I will go to his office and set him up to surf on over to f150online since he doesn't have home internet, expect a new member soon!
Anyways, he has the crack, and a hard corner sleeve like mine. I still don't have it!
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David
'99 F150 XLT SC, STYLESIDE
4X4 ORP 5.4L, AUTOMATIC,
139wb, Rhino, K&N,
BugGuard, RainGuards
Superchip
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 1999
Posts: 299
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cloaker, do you ever open and shut you doors with the window down? How often?
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98 SC/XL/4.2/5 speed/3.08/MoonLight Blue Metalic/Mobil One Synthetic/235.70S.16 Michelin XC LT4/AR-136 Wheels/Chrome Nerf Bars/Bug Shield/Aluminum Tool Box/K&N/Superchip/NOS maybe.
DAMN FLEXING DOOR CRACK!
Ford Engineering, reinforce the curve in the door! The cracks will stop.
------------------
98 SC/XL/4.2/5 speed/3.08/MoonLight Blue Metalic/Mobil One Synthetic/235.70S.16 Michelin XC LT4/AR-136 Wheels/Chrome Nerf Bars/Bug Shield/Aluminum Tool Box/K&N/Superchip/NOS maybe.
DAMN FLEXING DOOR CRACK!
Ford Engineering, reinforce the curve in the door! The cracks will stop.
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Senior Member
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 397
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From: Jackson, NJ usa
I checked the used trucks on my dealers car lot. I know what you mean by hard & soft rubber. I noticed it too. All of them have the crack 97 & 98. We don't have any used 99's yet, but when I see one, I'm gonna check. As for welding a piece of sheetmetal, Ford is gonna have a reiforcement plate w/ adhesive available any day now. (According to Tech Hotline and the Special Service Message.) Be sure to check my posting regularly Door Crack Repair!!!. I am gonna post as soon as the kit is available. I have been checking with Oasis every day.
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1997 F-150, Dark Toreador Red, Supercab, Flareside, 4X4 Off-Road, Chrome Grizzly Wrap Around Push Bar, and Lots of TLC!!
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1997 F-150, Dark Toreador Red, Supercab, Flareside, 4X4 Off-Road, Chrome Grizzly Wrap Around Push Bar, and Lots of TLC!!
Senior Member
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 160
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From: Tucson ,AZ
I have a 99 with 8000 miles and the crack built 9/98.passenger side ok.
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------------------------- 99 SILVER XLT/REG.CAB/4.2/5SPD/3.55/K&N Airbox Mod/Rhino muffler/Westin Black nerfs and now SuperChiped
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------------------------- 99 SILVER XLT/REG.CAB/4.2/5SPD/3.55/K&N Airbox Mod/Rhino muffler/Westin Black nerfs and now SuperChiped