How to: Remove Tailgate and Replace Tailgate Hinges
doitdub
familEE
Just after purchasing my wagon, this happened...
One of the tailgate hinges rusted/siezed, threw off the track of the gate, forcing it into the body and damaging it. They need replaced. I took everything apart tonight and figured I'd share in case anyone else runs into this. By the way, I will now be greasing these things regularly.
HOW TO: Remove Tailgate and Replace Hinges
1) Remove headliner - this requires you to remove the interior trim around all of the windows, as well as seat belts, dome lights, and oh-shit handles.
2) Disconnect the water tube line on the left hand upper corner from the body of the car. Using a small pocket screwdriver will help pry the tube loose.
3) Disconnect the electrical harness from the body in between the metal of the passenger side rear quarter panel (see that little yellow tab I'm pointing at?), then pull the wire up and out of the frame so it will go along with the tailgate upon removal.
4) Prop the tail gate up with something...I used a garden rake as shown here.
5) Remove the lower bolts on the hatch struts (12mm wrench I believe) so the struts go along with the tailgate
6) Now remove the 4 nuts underneath the roof that hold the hinges on
I think that's it (if I'm missing anything let me know). Now the hinges are epoxied on there so there may be a little resistance. I was able to rock it just a tad to have it release.
If they're really rusted, they'll do this...
Good(ish)...
Bad...
One of the tailgate hinges rusted/siezed, threw off the track of the gate, forcing it into the body and damaging it. They need replaced. I took everything apart tonight and figured I'd share in case anyone else runs into this. By the way, I will now be greasing these things regularly.
HOW TO: Remove Tailgate and Replace Hinges
1) Remove headliner - this requires you to remove the interior trim around all of the windows, as well as seat belts, dome lights, and oh-shit handles.
2) Disconnect the water tube line on the left hand upper corner from the body of the car. Using a small pocket screwdriver will help pry the tube loose.
3) Disconnect the electrical harness from the body in between the metal of the passenger side rear quarter panel (see that little yellow tab I'm pointing at?), then pull the wire up and out of the frame so it will go along with the tailgate upon removal.
4) Prop the tail gate up with something...I used a garden rake as shown here.
5) Remove the lower bolts on the hatch struts (12mm wrench I believe) so the struts go along with the tailgate
6) Now remove the 4 nuts underneath the roof that hold the hinges on
I think that's it (if I'm missing anything let me know). Now the hinges are epoxied on there so there may be a little resistance. I was able to rock it just a tad to have it release.
If they're really rusted, they'll do this...
Good(ish)...
Bad...
Comments
this is it right now, it pops on the roof when you open it
Good stuff man, Mines not doing this yet, I hope it doesn't, but I will def. lube it up!
Were did you get the new hinges from?
I may b headed there n the morning.... i need a few bulb sockets for a project im working on ...
I think you can get them from the dealership?
it's seized and just broke off when I went to go close the hatch.
Same part number for tailgate hinge shim for both as well. part #68210-SH3-S00ZZ
Hope that helps anyone who was wondering.
Replacing one at a time you don't have to pull the headliner all the way out. Just my lazy way of doing things.
It happened on my 91 Dx Wagon.. and I have seen it time after time on other wagons..
Really, WTF???
I Now Lube all my hinges!
after:
figure I replace them both and install new hatch struts too.
Trunk is silky smooth!
Hell mine work but i still picked up another set just in case!
When I replaced the hinges, I disconnected the strut on the side of the hinge to be replaced first because they'll lift the tailgate away from the body if the hinge is broken/unbolted. Also, I didn't have to take down the entire headliner to get at the hinges, just the rear.