The DIY How to Fix 2004 Ford Escape Rear Window Hinge: Repair & Replacement (Back Hinges Corroded)

Okay folks! Here's my video on how I fixed the rear window hinges for my 2004 Ford Escape. Remember! Based on my experience...buy new, NOT used!
Here's a link to the eBay listing showing the hinges I recommend:
www.ebay.com/itm/231959747990?...
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[@shawneddy1711]

Your video was very helpful. My dad and I tackled replacing both hinges and had it done in about 45 minutes. Thank you for making this video. It was a simple project overall!

[@1oolabob]

For what it's worth, I started with a different way of fixing the same problem. I drilled out the outer part of the hinge to put a carriage bolt through--with rubber washers on both sides of the glass--and screwed it down by using nuts on the inside. Now the only step for me is disconnecting the struts, latching the window, and re-connecting the struts. I'm here for tips on the easy way to do my last steps.

[@bblastos]

Just as an addendum...went to the junkyard in search of these hinges...every Ford Escape had the hinges removed...so yes..found my parts on Amazon...new ones... thank you again excellent video

[@luckyman3988]

Just replaced these on my 2002 Escape. I used this video as a reference and had no problems.

[@ere4449]

When you reattach the struts, all you have to do is shut the tailgate and then open the window so it's the same length. You don't have to use force to reattach them. Also the strut clips don't have to be removed.

[@mrweaverface]

That's a pro tip! I didn't even think of doing it that way. Thanks!

[@kingofavaloswrld1484]

Than you for the great and easy instructions. My wife and I did the fix on our son's Escape. It has been six weeks and all is well. Great stuff!

[@mrweaverface]

Glad it worked out! I should be good now for a long time! Thanks for watching!

[@stonebrooktaxbooks7648]

Thanks you showed me what the problem was on my 'sister car' the Mazda Tribute SUV yep 215,000 miles. My issue was the latch would not secure the window. A few years ago, I adjusted those top hinges, and got it closed - vowing to never open it again. I did all kinds of 'stuff' to keep the hinges from what I thought was causing the window to 'slide down' thus not lining up with the latch in order to stay closed. So I will go tackle this now and examine my hinges as I have never removed them completely. I've been driving with it unlatched - (I just popped the latch shut so the lights would go off and the 'open door' caution light would go off!) Thanks so much for sharing your repair with us! Don't worry about the delays - time for us is cheap, and expensive for the dealership.

[@mrweaverface]

Yup, that Mazda Tribute is almost identical to the Ford Escape in the early-mid 2000s. It's kind of weird that they did that. But good luck with the repair. Let me know how it turns out!

[@AceDublB]

Excellent instructional video covering all aspects of this replacement. Thank you for posting. Some very helpful tips by your viewers too.

[@mrweaverface]

Hey, thanks for watching and commenting! Yes, other comments provided very helpful tips. To anyone watching the video, make sure to read the comments as B Baker said. Thanks!!

[@birderwitch]

Thank you for the easy instructions. The one of the hinges on my 2010 bit the dust this weekend (it fell off in chunks when I closed the hatch). I had to pay $85 for new at our local CarQuest but at least I don't have to worry about my back window falling out. Even my boyfriend (who never follows the instructions) says that your step by step video made the job easier than he thought it would be.

[@mrweaverface]

Yeah, it seemed overwhelming at first, but once you figure out how to do it, it's pretty easy. Glad the video helped. Thanks for watching!

[@MultiWizardly]

Your video made this task easy. Start to finish took 20 minutes. The most difficult part was re-installing the spring steel clips on the rear window struts. Thanks for posting.

[@mrweaverface]

Thanks! Glad it helped you out! Definitely saved me lots of money doing it myself, and it was fairly easy and quick!

[@kylelatzke2072]

For future viewers. If you look at the end of the cylinder where the clip goes you can see the slots go out towards the end of the piece. You can slide the clip from the (while watching the video) left to right using a pliers to slide it into place. It takes 10 seconds.

[@mrweaverface]

Thanks for the tips! Anything to help make this install as easy is possible is great! Thanks!

[@moimee7]

Very helpful!! Funny and informative!! Thanks for posting.

[@NicholasJNadon]

For those following his guide, when tightening down the nuts and bolts, use a torque wrench at 97 in-lb.

[@bblastos]

Your video is excellent!! Thank you again!!! Awesome....thanks for posting

[@mrweaverface]

Glad it helped! Thanks for watching and subscribing!

[@styledparasite0355]

Very, very helpful! Had a bit of an issue putting the struts back in, but got it eventually

[@mrweaverface]

Glad it worked out!

[@DetroitLions1984]

Damn I just received my package from eBay 😂 I should of watched this video before hand🤦🏽‍♂️ I thought it was new though and you’re right. The threading is rusty. I’m going to still use them but before installing them I’ll just spray some wd40 or put some transmission fluid on it to prevent from it rusting some more lol. Thanks

[@annmanzo]

just what I needed, thanks

[@troygroff4512]

I'm doing this tomorrow. I only need the one side though. I also am gonna try to not remove the pump bar especially since its only on the one side and its latched on bottom. Thanks for the video!

[@mrweaverface]

Good luck! Hope the video helps!

[@johnhutchison6723]

Very helpful. Thanks.

[@ScreamingManJay]

Great video and very helpful. Just replaced on my wife's 2003 Escape. $55 for both and done.

[@mrweaverface]

Mongrel Hordes That's the way to do it!

[@bmanson626]

Mine's a 2003 Escape also, but only paid $18.99 from Amazon with overnight free shipping!

[@camdrier9106]

very helpful thank you for the upload

[@mrweaverface]

You're welcome!

[@jhopk83388]

I have an 05, names Betsy - Just hit 220,000. Had her since new. Mine popped off last night while unloading a new TV. Thanks pal, this helped

[@mrweaverface]

jhopk83388 Glad she's still with you. I just ended up getting a new Jeep Cherokee and so far so good. Betty (my Escape) served me very well, I took her to about 210,000 over 13 years, but it was time to move on. I will miss her though.

[@jhopk83388]

I get those feelings too sometimes, if I could buy a new one-I'd do it in a heart beat. I got 193,000 out of the original trans -still no major rust but I'm having trouble filling it with gas. Have to research the evap. -It still OWNS winter driving too. :)

[@mrweaverface]

Yeah, my transmission needed to be replaced, some other repairs, and it wasn't reliable, had to tow it 3 times in a few months time...it was time to move on.

[@nancyhoke5187]

Hi. Today I noticed my 2005 Explorer passenger side hinge isn't attached to the window at all. The car has 224,000 on it. I haven't used the lift gate in a long time. I also noticed the glass has slightly shifted. Is there any chance that the glass could totally pop off the car? Thank you for posting the video. It helped me to know how it can be repaired.

[@mrwhsprs]

A tip regarding the spring clips on the gas struts -- you can pry the clip slightly and disconnect the strut without having to completely remove the clip.

[@mrweaverface]

Cool, now I know for next time!

[@masonsmercantile9858]

Now i read the comment about the struts ( shock arms) put the gate down then lift the window to reattach the struts, wouldn't have needed those ten men and the boy 🤣

[@mrweaverface]

Haha, yeah it was pretty tough to push back into place, but yeah. That other comment's suggestion was a much better way of doing it. I hope the video was helpful otherwise! Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@nilssteika9813]

very helpful thanks!

[@mrweaverface]

Awesome! I'm glad it helped someone out! Make sure to give the video a thumbs up, thanks!

[@mattcastro3754]

Thanks that was helpful

[@Shannon-]

My right side beauty bolt is rusted and not loosening with my screwdriver. Any tips please? My left side broke feom corrosion and rust. I'm trying to do this by myself any help I'd appreciate ty

[@elizabethholis237]

My hinge broke when my glass was in the up position so, should I do the same steps with hydrolic arms or should I leave them attached to the arms? I am afraid if I disconnect the arms the glass will fall. I cannot get the glass to latch to the liftgate.

[@xtcy7137]

Hey sir, Loved your video. Just wondering what tools you've used and sizes. Thank you

[@mrweaverface]

The socket was a #8, and the bit for the window was the hex configuration.

[@xtcy7137]

Oh geesh, thanks man same thing happened to me... I just need to install my self cause my dealership was saying the hinges were $94 bucks a peice. When I got mine for about $60 bucks a pair! I was not folding. Thank you for the video man!

[@steve-pm9nf]

watched this tday replaced mine thanks

[@mrweaverface]

Thanks for watching!

[@ericag321]

Hey! After following this method the glass portion of the trunk won’t lock along with the rest of the car. Any advice?

[@skinneyb]

any body have another working link to the replacement part on eBay or amazon or O'reillys:)?

[@OutThereInHere]

lol, so it's a 6 pronger.. too funny. it's called Torx :) made my day.

[@mrweaverface]

LOL! Yeah, I'm not the greatest handyman, so I don't know all of the lingo!

[@waffle3239]

A little lock tite should help with vibration.

[@rcpsammy7186]

The torx bolt on the right hinge is so badly corroded and the head is stripped and I don't know what to do. Help?

[@jacobneumann9506]

DO you have to remove the struts? Or can you just replace the hinges?

[@mrweaverface]

You have to take them off, otherwise there's too much force if you keep them on, so you won't be able to get the hinges on.

[@TripReviews]

Yep, parts such as these hinges are not worth buying used. If yours are corroded then the used ones you bought will be the same. I have to replace the ones on my 2012 escape as one of them just broke on the weekend. Looked at my sons 09 escape and his are corroding and have cracks in them.

[@ooxoo3980]

Yeah, used hinge route wont buy you much time. I gotten tired of the threads in the hinges breaking. I just drilled a hole all the way through (where the female threads are), grabbed a bolt with a rounded head (like the ones that used on chain link fences), and a rubber washer, put a nut on from the inside. I don’t see it breaking ever again. Cheap route for anyone who don’t have time or money for these simple but expensive hinges.

[@mrweaverface]

Good job with the MacGuyver fix. Yeah, they are expensive hinges for sure!

[@painterken2542]

Thank you sir!! Exactly the info i needed..my old escape is my paint wagon..just need a cheap fix..

[@masonsmercantile9858]

Very helpful video... but you down play that you need ten men and a boy to push those shock arms back into position. Thank you for the video. If you are a women changing these out, all is super easy until time to put those shock arms back on.

[@xtcy7137]

Is it safe to have the window just sit on the door open in the air without the hinges on?

[@mrweaverface]

Coca Cola ↁ_ↁ I did all the work like you described, and it worked out fine. Made it a lot easier. I would not have been able to do it by myself otherwise.

[@xtcy7137]

Mr. Weaverface thank you. Making the job easier for me besides going to a dealership for $200+ job. Thanks again. Your work is appreciated

[@amoldhillon1445]

My T30 screw is stripped don’t know what to do

[@aecii_3d]

what size torx was that?

[@bmanson626]

30 (but saw other replies saying a 27 worked better for em)

[@hammer2514pa]

They make an after product now that is steel and not crappy plastic/vinyl or aluminum.

[@mrweaverface]

C.R Hammer Good to know!

[@PSF4L]

Just ordered mine $29.88

[@rtoweprojects9072]

Looks like it wasn't sealed to keep water out.

[@SagebrushRambles]

Those are hinges not latches.

[@ogie5194]

2019. I bought new ones for $24 off of eBay

[@mrweaverface]

Great deal!!!

[@bmanson626]

Just bought new ones from Amazon for $18.99