Front Bumper - Cracks/Rusting
Article No.96-17-16
08/12/96
BUMPER - FRONT - PREMATURE SIGNS OF WEAR AND/OR CHROME CRACKING - VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH 2/11/96
LIGHT TRUCK:
1996 BRONCO, ECONOLINE, EXPLORER, F-150-350 SERIES
1997 F-150
ISSUE:
Certain 1996 model year F-150-350 Series, Bronco, Explorer, Econoline and 1997 F-150 vehicles built from 8/1/95 through 2/11/96 may have been built with bumpers that contain sub-standard chrome. The chrome on the front bumpers may crack very prematurely. The cracks may look like scratches on the top of the bumpers or lines around the vent holes or fog lamp openings. These lines and other conditions will allow the bumper to rust. All bumpers with this condition will rust within 18 months of production.
ACTION:
Replace the front bumpers with revised bumpers. The revised bumpers have a more robust chrome coating and should prevent the bumper surface from premature rust. Refer to the following text for service details.
Replace any bumpers that exhibit hairline cracking on the flat surfaces as shown in the following Figures. Refer to the appropriate Service/Workshop Manual for bumper removal and replacement procedures.
Reference Figures for vehicle lines:
^ 1997 F-150 4X4 XL, XLT and Lariat built through 2/11/96 - Figure 1
^ 1997 F-150 4X2 XL, XLT and Lariat built through 2/11/96 - Figure 2
^ 1996 Bronco, F-Series XL, XLT, Eddie Bauer and 7.3L Diesel built through 2/11/96 - Figure 3
^ 1996 F-150-350 XL with optional chrome bumpers built through 2/11/96 - Figure 4
^ 1996 Explorer XL, XLT, Eddie Bauer built through 2/11/96 - Figure 5
^ 1996 Econoline Club Wagon XLT, RV and Chateau built through 2/11/96 - Figure 6
MAINTENANCE
All vehicles require some amount of maintenance. The same is true for bright metal finish chrome bumpers. These components must be cleaned and polished to keep their bright appearance. The front and top surface of the bumper is chrome plated and the back of the bumper is sprayed with a rust deterrent compound. If the compound is thin or scraped off, the bumper back may rust. The compound may be removed by the clamping force of the bumper attaching bolts. This may result in oxidation that could bleed around to the front of the bumper when wet and possibly stain the bumper. Periodic maintenance to remove rust is required.
Ford Motor Company recommends the use of Ford Bright Metal Cleaner and Polish to maintain the appearance of these bumpers. There are other products that may also be used to maintain the bumper's finish that may or may not have been tested by Ford Motor Company.
PART NUMBER PART NAME
F65Z-17757-AA Front Bumper
F3TZ-17757-AB Front Bumper
F65Z-17757-CA Front Bumper
F5TZ-17757-C Front Bumper
F2TZ-17757-A Front Bumper
F2UZ-17757-B Front Bumper
388442-S309 Rivet
OTHER APPLICABLE ARTICLES: NONE
WARRANTY STATUS: Eligible Under The Provisions Of Bumper To Bumper Warranty Coverage
OPERATION DESCRIPTION TIME
961716A Replace Front Bumper - 1.0 Hr.
1997 F-150 4X4
961716B Replace Front Bumper - 0.9 Hr.
1997 F-150 4X2
961716C Replace Front Bumper - 1.1 Hr.
1996 F-150, Bronco XLT,
And Eddie Bauer Editions
With Air Deflectors
961716D Replace Front Bumper - 0.7 Hr.
1996 F-250-350 XLT,
Eddie Bauer, And 7.3L DIT
Editions Without Air
Deflectors
961716E Replace Front Bumper - 1.0 Hr.
1996 F-150 With Lo Series
Trim (XL) With Air
Deflectors
961716F Replace Front Bumper - 0.5 Hr.
1996 F-250-350 With Lo
Series Trim (XL) Without
Air Deflectors
961716G Replace Front Bumper - 1.2 Hrs.
Explorer
961716H Replace Front Bumper - 0.9 Hr.
E-150 With Air Deflectors
961716I Replace Front Bumper - 0.5 Hr.
E-250-350 Without Air
Deflectors
DEALER CODING
CONDITION
BASIC PART NO. CODE
17757 84
OASIS CODES: 108000