Some 2009-2011 F-150 Platinum vehicles may exhibit tailgate applique separation from the sheet metal.

2010 Ford Truck F 150 4WD V8-4.6L VIN 8   Page 1
Vehicle: All Technical Service Bulletins
Body - Tailgate Applique Separates
TSB 11-4-11
04/27/11
TAILGATE APPLIQUE SEPARATION
FORD:
2009-2011 F-150
This article supersedes TSB 10-15-9 to update the vehicle model years, Service Procedure and Part List.
ISSUE
Some 2009-2011 F-150 Platinum vehicles may exhibit tailgate applique separation from the sheet metal.
ACTION
Follow the Service Procedure steps to correct the condition.
SERVICE PROCEDURE
NOTE
READ AND UNDERSTAND ALL INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE PERFORMING PROCEDURE.
NOTE
OBTAIN ALL REQUIRED MATERIALS AND TOOLS BEFORE PERFORMING PROCEDURE. FAILURE TO USE SPECIFIED
MATERIALS AND/OR DEVIATING FROM THE FOLLOWING SERVICE PROCEDURE MAY RESULT IN AN UNSUCCESSFUL
REPAIR.
NOTE
SOME STATES REQUIRE USE OF LOW VOC COMPLIANT MATERIALS. THE MATERIALS HAVE BEEN UPDATED WITH THE
EQUIVALENT LOW VOC MATERIALS REQUIRED TO SUCCESSFULLY PERFORM THIS PROCEDURE.
1. If equipped, remove the rear video camera. Refer to Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 413-13.
2. Apply masking tape over the tailgate badges and on the tailgate sur[aces surrounding the applique.
3. Spray a liberal amount of 3M(TM) Prep Solvent-70 or 3M(TM) General Purpose Adhesive Remover (Low VOC Compliant) along the top of the
applique and in the separated area between the applique and tailgate. Allow 10 minutes of saturation time for the solvent to breakdown the
adhesive tape.
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4. Separate the top of the applique from the tailgate using a removal tool such as 3M(TM) Side Molding and Emblem Removal Tool or equivalent.
(Figure 1)
NOTE
APPLIQUE IS EQUIPPED WITH FOUR (4) ATTACHING CLIPS LOCATED HORIZONTALLY ACROSS THE MIDDLE OF THE PART.
VEHICLES BUILT AFTER 12/20/2009 MAY HAVE TWO (2) ADDITIONAL CLIPS, STAGGERED EQUAL DISTANCE ALONG THE
TOP EDGE. USE CARE NOT TO DAMAGE THE CLIPS AND CLIP MOUNTING TABS DURING PART REMOVAL.
NOTE
DO NOT USE EXCESSIVE FORCE WHEN REMOVING APPLIQUE AS DAMAGE TO THE PART AND/OR TAILGATE PAINT MAY
OCCUR.
5. Continue to carefully work the top section of the applique free using the molding removal tool only as required. Apply additional 3MTM Prep
Solvent-70 or 3M(TM) General Purpose Adhesive Remover (Low VOC Compliant) and allow time for the solvent to work.
6. Once top section of applique is free, remove the tailgate and place on a suitable workstand so the bottom section is raised and accessible.
Replicate steps 4 and 5 on the bottom section of the applique.
7. Remove applique and place on a suitable work stand equipped with padding that will protect the finish side of the part from damage.
8. Remove tailgate release handle from tailgate as per WSM 501-14 section.
9. Remove all existing adhesive tape from the applique and tailgate using 3M(TM) Stripe Off Wheel. Operate the wheel at slower RPM for best
results. If necessary, have an assistant hold the part.
NOTE
HIGHER SPEED RPM USAGE OF 3M(TM) STRIPE OFF WHEEL MAY RESULT IN APPLIQUE DAMAGE. SLOWER RPM USE OF
3M(TM) STRIPE OFF WHEEL WILL RESULT IN FASTER ADHESIVE TAPE REMOVAL.
NOTE
SOLVENT WILL BE ABSORBED IN THE ORIGINAL TAPE AND WILL DRIP ON THE REPLACEMENT TAPE CAUSING A
BONDING FAILURE. THEREFORE IT IS CRITICAL TO REMOVE ALL ORIGINAL TAPE.
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10. Soak the residual adhesive on the ribbed sections along the top and bottom of the applique with 3M(TM) General Purpose Adhesive Cleaner or
3M(TM) Specialty Adhesive Remover Liquid (Low VOC Compliant). Remove all adhesive from the ribs with a wire detail brush and blow
with compressed air. (Figure 2)
11. Thoroughly wash the tailgate and applique with Motorcraft(R) Detail Wash or equivalent to remove all solvent residue. Blow dry and repeat as
required.
NOTE
FAILURE TO COMPLETELY REMOVE SOLVENT RESIDUE WILL PREVENT REPLACEMENT TAPE FROM ADHERING
CORRECTLY.
12. Apply a 13 cm to 15 cm (5" to 6") wide layer of masking tape along the entire length of the top and bottom sections on the finish side of the
applique. (Figure 3)
13. Tape will be applied to the outside perimeter of the applique in a picture frame pattern. Wipe the flat vertical sides and ribbed horizontal
sections along the top and bottom of the applique with Isopropyl (rubbing) Alcohol. Repeat on the corresponding locations of the tailgate.
14. Place the tailgate flat on a suitable work stand with the outside surface exposed. Allow plenty of space in the work area.
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15. Apply 3M(TM) Acrylic Plus Tape over the top and bottom ribbed sections as shown. (Figure 4)
NOTE
DO NOT APPLY ONE CONTINUOUS LENGTH OF TAPE ACROSS THE BOTTOM. A SIZABLE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE TWO
SECTIONS OF TAPE MUST BE PRESENT FOR DRAINAGE.
NOTE
DO NOT ALLOW THE TAPE TO EXTEND PAST THE RIBBED SECTIONS.
16. Apply tape to the vertical outside edges as shown. Do not allow tape to extend to the ribbed sections or near the raised profile in the middle of
the part. The individual sections of tape in this area should be no longer than 112 mm (4-3/8"). (Figure 4)
17. Use a hand roller to firmly wet-out the tape.
18. Apply 13 mm wide by 76 mm (1/2" wide by 3" long) bead of 3M(TM) Duramix Universal Adhesive 08214, approximately 1/2" below the
center of the upper sections of tape. Do not allow the adhesive to make contact with the tape. (Figure 4)
NOTE
THE ADHESIVE HAS 10 MINUTES OF WORKTIME.
19. Remove tape backing, and with the aid of an assistant immediately place the applique on the tailgate and seat the attaching clips.
NOTE
DO NOT REMOVE TAPE BACKING UNTIL THE APPLIQUE IS READY TO BE INSTALLED.
20. Use a hand roller to firmly wet-out the tape around the perimeter of the applique.
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21. Place a 38 mm x 89 x mm x 2.13 m (2" x 4" x 84") common whitewood stud along the top edge of the applique. Secure the lumber on each side
of the tailgate using locking C-clamp pliers with swivel pads. When clamped properly the lumber will form to the contour of the applique.
(Figures 5 and 6)
NOTE
THE C CLAMPS SHOULD BE ORIENTED AS IN FIGURE 6 TO ACHIEVE PROPER CLAMPING FORCE.
NOTE
IF THE WHITEWOOD STUD BEING USED IS SLIGHTLY BOWED, UTILIZE THE HIGH END DOWN AGAINST THE APPLIQUE TO
ACHIEVE PROPER CLAMPING FORCE.
22. Place a second stud along the bottom section of the applique, attaching in the same fashion.
23. Allow the applique to remain clamped for a minimum of 4 hours.
NOTE
A MINIMUM OF 4 HOURS OF CLAMP TIME IS REQUIRED TO PROPERLY SET THE ADHESIVE TO THE TAILGATE SHEET
METAL.
24. Remove the clamps and whitewood studs and reinstall the tailgate release handle. Refer to WSM 501-14, Section.
25. Reinstall the tailgate.
26. If equipped, reinstall the rear video camera. Refer to WSM, Section 413-13.
2010 Ford Truck F 150 4WD V8-4.6L VIN 8   Page 6
WARRANTY STATUS: Eligible Under Provisions Of New Vehicle Limited Warranty Coverage
IMPORTANT: Warranty coverage limits/policies are not altered by a TSB. Warranty coverage limits are determined by the identified causal part.
OPERATION DESCRIPTION TIME
110411A 2009-2011 F-150 Platinum: 2.7 Hrs.
Follow Service Procedure
To Remove, Clean, And
Reinstall Tailgate Applique.
Includes Time To Remove
And Install Tailgate (Do
Not Use With Any Other
Labor Operations)
DEALER CODING
CONDITION
BASIC PART NO. CODE
99425A34 07
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