My tailgate step doesn't sit flush when closed and retracted.



I looked at the locking mechanism and also performed the Ford alignment procedure with no help.
It looks to me like it's contacting the yellow end on the assist handle.


Nothing is broken or bent and the handle is smooth as well as the step. Any thoughts?

Also, these are not my photos. Borrowed them to illustrate the issue because I didn't have the foresight to take my own.

 

Either smoeone has stepped on the outside portion of the step and bent it, or something is preventing the handle from fully retracting. The handle is spring loaded and this is what pops the step out when you press the release button.

If the step is not bent, and the handle will not fully compress, then the spring may have dislodged for its normal position and dropped sideways into the bottom of the lower handle section. This would stop the handle from fully retracting which would prevent the step from stowing completely flush.

The following document might be helpful.

 

The handle definitely does not pop out so this may indeed be my issue. I'll check it out and let you know. Thank you.

 

So, the spring fell out and was sideways and a bit damaged. I still have some issues as the handle doesn't seem to pop the step up when the button is pressed, but I will work on that. Might need a new spring.

Thanks 52merc.

 

Hi, would you please post the Ford alingment procedure you used?

 

2nd post.

 

Sorry, totally didn't see it. Thank you!

 

Sorry, again, but that is the handle disassembly procedure. The OP posted about "I looked at the locking mechanism and also performed the Ford alignment procedure with no help"

 

This is from the Ford Workshop Manual

 

Perfect!