Liftgate - Popping/Snapping Noise

91ford24

Article No. 91-18-2
09/05/91


^ LIFTGATE-"POPPING OR SNAPPING" NOISE FROM HINGE AREA-VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH 4/30/91

^ NOISE-"POP OR SNAP"-FROM CARGO STORAGE AREA OR LIFTGATE HINGE-VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH 4/30/91


FORD: 1990-91 PROBE


ISSUE: A "popping or snapping" noise may come from the cargo storage area or the liftgate hinge. It may be misdiagnosed as a loose suspension type component such as a strut mounting or a loose liftgate support strut. The noise is caused by lack of lubricant on the liftgate hinge pins.

ACTION: Modify the hinge body to allow lubrication. Refer to the following procedure for service details.


1. Remove the rear interior headliner trim panel to expose the hinge attaching nuts. Check for loose nuts or metal damage.

NOTE: LEAVE THE UPPER HEADLINER TRIM PANEL OFF FOR THE ROAD TEST.

2. Road test the vehicle on rough surface roads to confirm the noise type and condition.

a. Have a person in the back using a stethscope near the hinges to identify and isolate the noise location.

b. If the noise is in the hinge area, modify the hinge body as directed in the following step.

Figure 1:

3. Open the liftgate to expose the hinge.

a. Use a center punch at the center of the hinge body.

b. Drill a 1/8" (3.175mm) diameter hole into the hinge.

CAUTION: DO NOT DRILL INTO THE HINGE PIN. DRILL ONLY FAR ENOUGH TO PENETRATE THE HINGE BODY.

Figure 2:

4. Add polyethylene grease (D7AZ-19584-AA) into the drilled hole, Figure 2. Using the spray extension nozzle on the can, fill the hinge body cavity until the lubricant seeps out each end of the hinge.


5. Wipe any excess lubricant from the hinge/liftgate area, then open and close the liftgate several times to work the lubricant into the hinge pin area.

6. Road test the vehicle to confirm that the noise is eliminated.

PART NUMBER PART NAME CLASS

D7AZ-19584-AA Polyethylene Grease B

OTHER APPLICABLE ARTICLES: NONE
WARRANTY STATUS: Eligible Under Basic Warranty Coverage
OPERATION DESCRIPTION TIME
911802A Modify Hinges And Road 0.7 Hr.
Test
DEALER CODING
BASIC PART NO. CONDITION CODE
7042900 56
OASIS CODES: 111000, 112000, 702000