Anyone ever replace the tailgate hinges?
outcast
Band Wagon
So it looks like one of the tailgate hinges on my 91 wagon seized up and I've go to replace it. From what I can tell it's bolted to the body from the inside, so I'll have to drop the headliner first so I can get to the interior bolts. Does that sound right to anyone? I'm not going to drop the headliner only to discover that the hinges are welded to the body, right?
Also, how do I disconnect either the water or electrical line to the hatch?
I soo don't want to do this.
Thanks for any input and words of encouragement.
outcast
Also, how do I disconnect either the water or electrical line to the hatch?
I soo don't want to do this.
Thanks for any input and words of encouragement.
outcast
Comments
the hose and the electrical are plug and play. you'll notice on the drivers side a hose going into the hatch. simply look for the connecting point. same goes for the electrical stuff on the passenger side. simply unplug.
you'll do fine
Thanks mum!
im trying to encourage the mate
I was able to disconnect the line for the windshield washer, but for the life of me I can't figure out where the break is for the electrical line. I pulled out both ends of the rubber gasket bit, but I can't feel a connector within the rubber gasket portion or see anything on either side inside the hatch or the pillar. Do I have to remove the inner plastic panel on the hatch to get to an electrical connector and then snake the line back up out of the hatch, or am I missing something more obvious?
I'm also pretty thrilled to discover that the leading edge of the hatch got caught on the back of the roof and is now all bent to hell as well!
I'm going to go get a beer, a large mallet and some wire cutters and go threaten the car until it cooperates.
outcast
For now.
Wish I could speak Wagonese or something, so I could try gentle persuasion. As it is, the only tools I've got are heavy or sharp.
So for those on the edge of their seat in anticipation of the next gripping installment of this saga - I got the hatch off!
I finally located the electrical connector for the hatch behind the lower plastic panel on the right side of the rear compartment. Unfortunately to properly access the connector you should remove this panel first, but I have the speaker pods in place and I didn't want to go through the nightmare of reinstalling one of those again. I discovered that if you are willing to work with your eyes screwed up really tight and your tongue properly sticking out the side of your mouth, you can pop off the little hatch for the rear lights and stick your hand up behind the panel and while practicing a hand gesture much like your-best-single-handed-popping-a-girl's -bra-technique, undo the connector so cleverly hidden back there.
Alas this was a short lived glorious moment as I next realized that since the front of the hatch was now crushed against the back of the roof due to the seized and bent hinge I couldn't open the hatch entirely to remove the gas struts without them quite possible shooting out through the window to their full length upon removing the two upper mounting screws.
"What did he do?!!" I hear you cry out.
Well I next undid the the two screws on the left hinge that attach to the hatch and then let the gas strut lift the hatch up and onto the roof. I then did the same thing on the other side. With the hatch now sitting on the roof and with the help of my lovely able bodied assistant I then disconnected the two struts and removed the hatch.
Okay, I have to go to bed since all this typing is making me tired. Thanks for all the help and suggestions everyone. The story continues tomorrow with chapter 2, "The Removal of the Hinges from the Body and the Ordering of Parts." I know I can't wait.
outcast
This summer I am swapping out my rusty hatch (see link below) with a rust-free one I bought from ABBEY a couple summers ago.
http://www.hondacivicwagon.com/board/vi ... highlight=
I am finding your posts to be both informative and funny.
However, I am curious about one thing... what tool did you use to disconnect the hatch struts?
Thx !!
When I removed my hatch, I only disconnected the gas struts at the top where they are attached to the hatch with two bolts that are hidden under the plastic cover that you can pop off. I left the bottom of the cylinders attached to the car during the whole episode and just made sure I didn't walk into them.
To remove the lower mounts it looks like you may have to remove the interior plastic panel to get enough space to just use an open-ended wrench and turn them out of the frame.
I'd put up a picture of my reinstalled hatch to show how badly damaged and twisted the from edge was from when the hinge failed and the hatch was forced open, but all the tears make it hard to focus the camera.
Good luck with your hatch replacement and just make sure to have a lovely able bodied assistant to help as it does make the entire job that much more pleasant.
outcast
Yes, I'm sure my wife (aka lovely able bodied assistant) will be more than happy to give me hand. LOL
P.S. Yes, the hatch is pretty rusty. To add insult to injury someone backed into it last summer and now it's a bit twisted as well. Like I told the guy who hit me... no worries, I got another one... hatch that is. LOL