Squeak or bind from Ford truck tailgates

Jan. 1, 2020

1997 and later Ford F-series, Super Duty, Ranger and Explorer Sport Trac trucks

If 1997 and later Ford F-series, Super Duty, Ranger and Explorer Sport Trac trucks squeak or bind in the tailgate, the problem could be from the grease of the tailgate hinges that may wash out prematurely. Follow these procedures to remedy this situation:

Remove tailgate from the vehicle and remove plastic inserts from tailgate hinge cups.
Clean the inside of the hinge cups.
Apply grease-use XG-3, which is silicone brake caliper grease and dielectric compound-to all of the inside surfaces of the right and left side hinge cups as well as the right and left side body pins. Reinstall the plastic inserts into the tailgate. Reinstall the tailgate.

According to the bulletin, this operation, 020305A should take 0.3 hours.