2018 Flatbed steps button JAMMED

[scpete24]

Mines been jammed in for about 4 months now after I replaced the entire plastic cover plate that kept falling off due to broken tabs. I just roll with it. Agree with you its a bad design having a plastic push button to a metal mechanism.

 

[BigBlue20]

To me it looks like the lever must be worn. It has to have a hole or a bushing where it pivots. Whatever that pivot is is most likely metal and the lever is plastic which has deformed allowing the lever to be sloppy, allowing enough movement to slide past the metal part. In the plastics material world this property of the plastic is called “creep”, meaning the plastic “crept” away from the pivot, making the hole either larger or deformed. While heating the lever with a heat source will allow you to bend the lever, this may not stay there, plus, it will make the plastic only creep more. Lots of words, but basically the lever is worn out. Poor choice of material for the job. Possibly lubing that area on a new lever would help, but, I would use a dry lube like graphite. The plastic lever was most likely sourced because plastics usually provide their own lubricity. You can see this in your video. Good luck!

 

[RyanM]

Does anybody know if there is a replacement part for the plastic mechanism.I see online you can purchase a new plastic cover which would include the button but it doesn't include the plastic lever or other parts associated. I also couldn't see how you would get to it in order to remove old part but there must be a way. Hoping to mess with heat gun this weekend if no other solution.

My Ford dealership is useless so I can't even take it there. Would be $200 just to look at the problem.

 

[RyanM]

Finally found a minute to update this thread to put it to bed for those having this issue in the future.

- WD-40 Specialist White Lithium Grease Spray with SMART STRAW SPRAYS 2 WAYS, 10 OZ

Used this for the legs of step as well as the handle that pops out to help get up in bed.


- Tail Gate Latch Control - Ford (FL3Z-9943170-D)

Bought this on a Ford parts site for $40. Requires the step to be pulled out so if jammed figure out how to pop it out. Requires unscrewing two screws and replacing.


- Upper Molding - Ford (FL3Z-9940602-B)

Bought this on Amazon for $30 part fit perfectly. Don't waste the $100 on genuine part from Ford.

Pay attention to the two plastic "pin" screws in a pic attached that you have to stick a small flat head in to get loose.

takes 10-15 minutes to complete. Been working smooth for a few weeks now.

Cheers!