rear tonneau cover won't unlock

[going away]

I have a 2002 sport trac and the rear tonneau cover won't unlock. I can't find what or where to look to fix it. I have looked here but can't find library or similar problems for help. Any help would be appreciated

 

[EddieS'04]

I dont have the oem hard cover. There has been repair info over the years. Hope some one with the knowledge will chime in.

 

[Duncan Kimbro]

Gene,

If you just need to get the cover off the bed, and you can reach the latches, you can put your finger inside the hole in the end of the latch and feel a small tab. I don’t recall for certain, but I think it is spring loaded. Press on the tab and the latch will release.

The lock itself is held in with a small clip that should slide off easily. I say it slides off easily, because I was always picking it up off the bed and reattaching it. Once that clip is off, you can disconnect the cables and slide the lock out through the top of the lock cover. Unless you’re comfortable dissembling the lock and running the risk of all the little pins going everywhere, just take it to a locksmith. It shouldn’t be a very expensive repair.

If something is wrong with the cable that goes from the lock to the latches, the cables are still available from Ford. You can go to https://www.tascaparts.com/?year=20...ble&scat=&p=catalog&mode=search&search_in=all or look for part numbers 1L5Z-99286B61-AA (rear cable) and 3L2Z-99286B60-AA (front cable) at parts.ford.com or rearcounter.com or eBay or just google the part number. Of course, you should double check the fitment for the 2002 ST, but all the tonneau covers from 2001 to 2005 should be the same.

 

[Duncan Kimbro]

By the way, if it is the lock itself, don’t use WD-40 or another lubricant inside the lock. That will just collect dust and dirt and eventually gum up the lock. Instead get a small tube of powdered graphite for locks at a hardware store and squirt some in. It’s amazing how well it will lubricate a sticking lock.

 

[Duncan Kimbro]

Also, you can find some of the old projects using the Internet wayback machine at https://web.archive.org/web/20170912002616/http://www.mysporttrac.com/mysporttrac/. Click “projects” from the list to the left of the screen and then click “cargo bed”. There are a couple there about repairing the tonneau cover or locking mechanism. I have had mixed luck getting some of the photos to load, but it may work better on a computer instead of a tablet or phone.

 

[Tim Holt]

That link should be stickied somewhere

 

[Todd Z]

Cable stretches, or snaps, or lock jams..

 

[carl beasley]

1L5Z-1A480-AA​

Is the rear lock assembly. I searched and only saw "Discontinued" at all sources. Does anyone how a source? Or, the cable does look simple. how could it be? How about a cable for Bicycle or Go Cart?

Time to get creative.

Thanks,

Carl

Wayback Machine
This link is good with a PDF file showing replacement process.

 

[carl beasley]

Conflicting part #'s 1L5Z-1A480-AA or 1L5Z-1A480-AB I seen both numbers listed as "Rear". Buyer beware.

Carl