Bike rack causing tailgate problem

Post by **Spiral** » 27 Feb 2008, 17:42

Recently fitted a fiamma bike rake on my T3 tailgate. The tailgate will now not stay fully open and falls to around half way down when I let go of it. I've actually walked into the tailgate a couple of times when doing work on my van and got a nasty gash on my chin on the last occasion

I feel I need to do something about this very quickly before something more serious happens. Is this a common problem and would a basic new set of struts stop this from happening?....or do I need a stronger set of struts to take the weight of the bike rack??

Post by **Mocki** » 27 Feb 2008, 17:48

there is a quick cheap mod you can do to the struts, involving a couple of bits of 22mm copper pipe and a operative to help.

new struts will help when the bike rack is empty, in warm weather, but in the cold or when bikes are on it, even good new ones wont hold it......

Website · Post by **CovKid** » 27 Feb 2008, 18:22

I'm told the germans use a clip on the struts. If not - broom handle again.

Post by **Flibbertigibbet** » 27 Feb 2008, 19:36

I have the copper pipe in place and it will hold up my tailgate with 2 bikes on ...also spec savers do some good deals to save you walking into your tailgate

Post by **Spiral** » 27 Feb 2008, 21:14

Flibbertigibbet wrote:I have the copper pipe in place and it will hold up my tailgate with 2 bikes on ...also spec savers do some good deals to save you walking into your tailgate

I doubt that Spec Savers can help

But if anyone can guide me in the right direction regarding using 2 short lengths of 22mm copper pipe to keep the tailgate fully open with the bike rack on the back, it would be much appreciated before I lose my front teeth next time

Post by **meggles** » 27 Feb 2008, 21:23

Flibbertigibbet wrote:I have the copper pipe in place and it will hold up my tailgate with 2 bikes on ...also spec savers do some good deals to save you walking into your tailgate

(but .. you prat!)

Post by **Mocki** » 27 Feb 2008, 21:46

i have been searching for the pictures of the copper pipe strut supports, but i cant find them right now, they are on my daughters pc, and i'm not there right now......

mafffuu has the pics, he will be along soon enough i have no douobt, however, its a easy enough thing,

take a peice of 22mm copper plumbing pipe, cut it to the length of the outer black part of the gas strut, undo the strut(You may need a operative to hold the tailgate whilst you undo one strut at a time) slide the 22mm pipe over the strut, and reassemble, the pipe will slide over the black section of the strut when the tailgate is shut, and when its open slide it up over the inner , and lock it in place, it simply stops the strut sliding in............hope that makes sense.....

Post by **sherlock** » 27 Feb 2008, 23:26

I have the same problem, cheers for the copper pipe tip Mocki ( do you put the pipe on both struts or just one ?) if you can post a pic or 2 that would be even better.
Cheers. Sherlock.

Post by **ermie571** » 28 Feb 2008, 12:10

I had the copper pipe on my old tailgate.

I just used one......just holding up the weight of the door, no bike rack.

Needed replacing after a year or so, as the the copper had buckled on the edge. So would use two to distribute weight evenly with heavy bike rack.

Em
x

Post by **matt** » 28 Feb 2008, 13:26

I invented the copper Pipe Idea, just 6 years after Mocki, and I had seen it on his van but never noticed>>>>>> Matt, the Bill Gates of nicking Ideas

Post by **Spiral** » 29 Feb 2008, 20:47

Thanks Mocki, you're a star mate

I'll give it a go.......hopefully before I knock myself out next time

Post by **Mocki** » 29 Feb 2008, 21:00

i still havent found the pics, i will try and take some new ones tomorrow...... mine i covered in black heatshrink material, just to make them look better, only ever had one set, getting on for 10 years old now, only slightly crumpled at the end, and holds the bike rack up with two bikes on.........

deffo need one on each strut, or you may twist the tailgate with two bikes on the rack, but only use one if the rack is empty.......

you could use a stronger material to make them from , but 22mm copper pipe was what i had at the time...... soo much safer than the broom handle, which invariably falls out and then the tailgate makes your lights go out, and you wake up in A&E

Post by **Nicola&Tony** » 01 Mar 2008, 07:53

The 22mm copper pipe fix is a cracking solution! Much cheaper than new struts and very quick and easy to do. No more bumps on the head for me . . . well not off the tailgate anyway! I thought I saw something about it in the Wiki once, but must've imagined this 'cos I can't find it now.

Tony

Post by **DevonAid** » 01 Mar 2008, 10:11

Just so all options are given, a bog-standard pair of new struts (GSF) does the trick in holding the tailgate up with a Fiamma bike rack attached (not with bikes on, obviously). Haven't noticed any problems with the struts not doing the business in the winter, as hinted at on previous posts. They were just slightly longer too so headroom has been improved with the tailgate open for us taller chaps......

Post by **jed the spread** » 01 Mar 2008, 11:32

https://club8090.co.uk/wiki/In ... strut_lock

jed