What should I do if the Bronco tailgate glass will not go up to access the regulator nuts?

Drill 5/8 inch access holes in the panel directly above each of the retaining nuts. A template is available from your local Ford dealer to aid in drilling the holes in the proper location; cover the glass with a protective cover before drilling.

What must be removed before servicing the tailgate glass?

Lower the tailgate and remove the access panel, water shield and panel support (see illustration 17.1).

Is there a safety warning when removing the tailgate window motor?

Yes — the counterbalance spring is under tension. To prevent injury, clamp or lock the gear sector together before removing the motor.

How is the glass attached to the tailgate bracket?

With rivets: grind the heads off the rivets retaining the glass to the bracket, then use a punch to remove the rivets, retainers and spacers.

What should be done after reinstalling the tailgate glass?

Clean up metal filings, apply touch-up paint to any drilled holes before reassembly, and cycle the window up and down several times to assure smooth operation.

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Ford Bronco Tailgate Glass & Window Regulator Removal - Haynes Diagram

Manual page with exploded tailgate window diagram and numbered glass-removal instructions

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Service procedure page for Bronco tailgate window and regulator with an exploded diagram and numbered removal/installation steps.

AI caption May 2014 · Photo 173 of 488

This is a photographed page from a Haynes repair manual covering the Ford Bronco tailgate glass and window regulator. The page contains a large exploded diagram labeled as showing Bronco tailgate glass and regulator installation details, with a main view of the tailgate assembly plus four detail insets (Views A–D). Callouts identify the tail gate assembly, torsion bar, access panel support, interior access cover panel, regulator assembly, motor, weatherstrip assembly, seal assembly, run assembly, back window, adjusting screw & washer, bumper, bracket, retainer, glass, spacer, rivet, switch assembly, door lock cylinder retainer, and cylinder. The accompanying step-by-step procedure covers regulator removal (with a warning that the counterbalance spring is under tension and the gear sector should be clamped before removing the motor) and glass removal: lowering the tailgate, removing the access panel/water shield/panel support, raising the glass to access the retaining nuts (or drilling 5/8-inch access holes using a Ford dealer template if the glass will not rise), grinding off rivet heads, disconnecting the rear window defogger if equipped, removing corner seals and weatherstrip, sliding the glass out, cleaning metal filings and touch-up painting drilled holes, and cycling the window after reinstallation. Portions of the left and right text columns are cut off at the page edges.

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Frequently asked questions

What should I do if the Bronco tailgate glass will not go up to access the regulator nuts?: Drill 5/8 inch access holes in the panel directly above each of the retaining nuts. A template is available from your local Ford dealer to aid in drilling the holes in the proper location; cover the glass with a protective cover before drilling.
What must be removed before servicing the tailgate glass?: Lower the tailgate and remove the access panel, water shield and panel support (see illustration 17.1).
Is there a safety warning when removing the tailgate window motor?: Yes — the counterbalance spring is under tension. To prevent injury, clamp or lock the gear sector together before removing the motor.
How is the glass attached to the tailgate bracket?: With rivets: grind the heads off the rivets retaining the glass to the bracket, then use a punch to remove the rivets, retainers and spacers.
What should be done after reinstalling the tailgate glass?: Clean up metal filings, apply touch-up paint to any drilled holes before reassembly, and cycle the window up and down several times to assure smooth operation.