rattley tailgate!

[posler]

hi all does, the tailgate on my 1990 1.9 petrol t25 has movment in it when i rattle it at the bottom, an now ive stripped out the old interior every bump i go over it sounds like its opening and shutting!!
does anyone have any ideas to make it feel abit more solid atm i'm trying the lock a glove in it so it cant rattle over bumps lol

regards phil

[fullsunian]

Hi, sounds like the latch just wants abit of adjustment

[1664]

Sure it's not just catching on the first latch? Like the front doors, if you don't close it with enough 'uumph' only the first latch of the lock will engage on the door catch resulting in a rattling door. I have to give my tailgate a pretty good slam the ensure the second latch engages - prefer it that way as then it's closed nice and tight against the seal.

Try closing it very gently and see at what point the first latch engages and if it's exactly the same play in it then the second latch is failing to engage. Then try giving it some real uumph and see if the second latch engages - if not then you will have to realign the catch on the bodywork outward. If the second latch also engages with only a whimpy push then you'll have to move the catch inward.

The only other thing I can think of is that the rubber seal has deteriorated to such a point it doesn't push back against the door..............

[kevtherev]

yep
mine needs a slam or it's rattle city

[posler]

thanks for tips peeps just tried shutting slowly only heard one click so tried slamming it (several times) and same as before, may be the seal although they dont seem in bad shape maybe abit flatter compared to new Hmmm!

[CovKid]

Have known the rear catch to get very tight (close to seizing). Had to remove it, spray with WD40 and move it backwards and forwards until running free.

[posler]

Have known the rear catch to get very tight (close to seizing). Had to remove it, spray with WD40 and move it backwards and forwards until running free.

will check out thanks covkid

[kevtherev]

two years it took me to realise there was a double action.
in the end, I just pushed it very hard at the bottom and it clicked!

now it shuts properly all the time
hey, just check for the obvious like any movement of the catch or lock

[posler]

thanks kev i will give it a good going over tomorrow

[posler]

thanks for the tip 1664 & kev
shut properly with a good slam pushing on the lock
one more things out of the way!

regards phil

[peasant]

The bolt in the boot where the lock latches on to is adjustable by the way