Random tailgate questions

[petrotk40]

I am bored at work and was reading through the 2004 FSM and saw that the lower tailgate has a "torsion bar" in it, I assume to let it fall slowly and not slam open. I have a 2000, and mine lower gate falls open very hard... am I missing that or do all 2000 have no dampening? If not, is this something that might be retrofitted?

Also, there is so rust around the right license plate lamp on the upper lift gate... would this bother anyone else?

 

[Trunk Monkey]

The torsion bar takes up some of the weight of the tailgate, making it easier to lift and close. I'd def. get the rust under control too before it spreads.

 

[Copenhagen1]

......Also, there is so rust around the right license plate lamp on the upper lift gate...

This is interesting.....Mine is a 2001 that spent it's life in southern Arkansas and east Texas and I have the same thing. The heads of the bolts that go up into the upper hatch are corroded. It kind of puzzles me? Why would corrosion start there?

 

[petrotk40]

The torsion bar takes up some of the weight of the tailgate, making it easier to lift and close. I'd def. get the rust under control too before it spreads.

I'm going to have to get in there and see if it's actually still there. Mine opens and closes without any resistance.

This is interesting.....Mine is a 2001 that spent it's life in southern Arkansas and east Texas and I have the same thing. The heads of the bolts that go up into the upper hatch are corroded. It kind of puzzles me? Why would corrosion start there?

I'm betting the rust came from the inside, maybe some water got into the top half.

 

[NMuzj100]

I'm betting the rust came from the inside, maybe some water got into the top half.

From the upper brake light probably.

there is rust ... would this bother anyone else?

It's the automotive equivalent of a disfiguring aggressive cancer.

 

[lexi4darin]

Petrotk40-

I have a 2000 LX470. My tailgate lowers down pretty hard, like no resistance. I don't imagine there's anything wrong with how your tailgate opens or lowers.

Of course ... ... ... the tail or rear hatch is another story. That should have struts to make opening lighter (meaning easier) and also to hold the hatch up in place without falling on your head.

 

[spressomon]

Check the tail gate torsion bar anchor...where it attaches to the body about center left to right just behind the hinge side of the gate when opened. Maybe it became dislodged...

 

[petrotk40]

Check the tail gate torsion bar anchor...where it attaches to the body about center left to right just behind the hinge side of the gate when opened. Maybe it became dislodged...

So do I need to:

1) Take the bumper off
2) Remove inner tailgate carpet
3) Look from underneath
4) Flip plastic cover up with gate down and it should be there?

I'm hoping for #4

 

[bluecruiser]

My lower tail gate just falls. Am I understanding that the tail gate should have some sort of resistance?

I understand that the upper hatch has struts that keep it up (except on really cold days....on mine at least).

Thanks

 

[petrotk40]

My lower tail gate just falls. Am I understanding that the tail gate should have some sort of resistance?

Apparently so?

 

[hoser]

My lower tail gate just falls. Am I understanding that the tail gate should have some sort of resistance?

Mine falls too but compared to the 80 series, it feels lighter. The 80, afaik, doesn't have the tailgate torsion bar.

 

[petrotk40]

so when everyone opens and just lets it fall, will it fall hard and bounce a few times?

 

[Trunk Monkey]

The torsion bar just takes up a little of the weight and makes it easier to lift it back closed. That's it. It's not like the struts on the upper hatch.

From the picture you posted it's in the unsprung state. When you lower the gate the two vertical pieces bend against the stationary center piece, creating a spring.

 

[petrotk40]

I understand that, it just seems like if it was functioning correctly the tailgate would open more gently than it does.

 

[LSUfj]

Like stated before, it just makes it easier to lift. Imagine lifting a full size truck's tailgate, does it feel lighter than that?

When I first got mine, i thought it was an aluminum tailgate. Whenever we grab that beer, you can compare on mine.

 

[r2m]

Rust. Don't let it go, or it'll eat you up.....

 

[1loudLX]

I got rust cleaned up on the bottom of my upper hatch, by the lights. Two years later, it's back.

 

[badlander]

I Had the rust by the lights and the latch also. The latch was so rusty I had to remove it and derust it with phosphoric acid. I also used the acid to remove the rust around the light holes, inside and out. First, grind the rust and paint off around the rusty areas then apply phosphoric acid with a Q-Tip and a swab (like those in a PVC cement cap with the wire handle) to get the insides areas - bend the handle as needed, and keep applying until all the rust is gone. The acid will NOT hurt the raw steel, it just eats the rust. Then remove the residue with alcohol and you are ready to repaint. I got the paint from an auto paint supply store. They mixed it and put it in a spray can and it worked great.
Mine had ablolutely NO signs of any water leaks inside the hatch. I believe it is from outside water getting blown up from air turbulance at the rear of the vehicle while driving. The stupid gaskets they used for the lights and the latch handle are FOAM so they hold the water. Get rid of them and make rubber ones out of old bike tubes.
About 2 days of work, total,
Good luck!
cp

 

[badlander]

My tailgate also has a severely rusty helper torsion spring for the reasons stated in my previous post. It is possible these springs could rust to the point of breaking under pressure which would show up as a very heavy feeling tailgate.
Check your springs! See if they are still in one piece.
I should have removed mine and fixed or replace it when I had my bumper off de-rusting it.
That's another story!!
cp

 

[petrotk40]

I Had the rust by the lights and the latch also. The latch was so rusty I had to remove it and derust it with phosphoric acid. I also used the acid to remove the rust around the light holes, inside and out. First, grind the rust and paint off around the rusty areas then apply phosphoric acid with a Q-Tip and a swab (like those in a PVC cement cap with the wire handle) to get the insides areas - bend the handle as needed, and keep applying until all the rust is gone. The acid will NOT hurt the raw steel, it just eats the rust. Then remove the residue with alcohol and you are ready to repaint. I got the paint from an auto paint supply store. They mixed it and put it in a spray can and it worked great.
Mine had ablolutely NO signs of any water leaks inside the hatch. I believe it is from outside water getting blown up from air turbulance at the rear of the vehicle while driving. The stupid gaskets they used for the lights and the latch handle are FOAM so they hold the water. Get rid of them and make rubber ones out of old bike tubes.
About 2 days of work, total,
Good luck!
cp

Awesome, thanks for the tips!