Well hell, this was so unfunny it was actually damn funny. Nessy's boot has been closing at a funny angle for ages...so I just adjusted the striker so it was straight, and figured the hinge needed adjusting at some point...

Well today I found out why, when - shopping bags in hand - the tailgate flew off its mounting and - spurred on by the strut - proved unclosable. I managed to hold it about 12" open while I unhooked the strut, and then I was able to force the hinge back into position. This all happened in the pouring rain, and much to the amusement of a small crowd who gathered to take the piss. Hell, even I saw the funny side...

Time for a trip to friendly Dr MIG.

cheers

James

Ouch... sounds nasty, and couldnt've happened at a worse moment - only the nezzle...

Nah.. That's not new... GL's boot hinges has been welded for several times. Though I think that in Finland even the plastic can rust in old cars in wintertime...

yep i have seen tailgate hinge suround rot....looks like its a nasty place to repair

where has my pic gone?

same place as your car Martin ,

Nessy fights back yet again , she just wont be ignored ,

she is a bit of an attention seeker if you ask me

I think you should enter nessy in the BKV

Good plan! Nessy at the BKV! Just remember to finish polishing the whole roof James!

It does look like a nasty area to repair, not exactly accessible!

Pete

S'gonna be a headlining out job, no doubt.

cheers

James

Fuse wrote:Nah.. That's not new... GL's boot hinges has been welded for several times. Though I think that in Finland even the plastic can rust in old cars in wintertime...

Youre right And that rusted plastic comes from Opels and Fords

I got the headlining out a few minutes ago. Looks a relatively ok spot to weld actually. I'll drop it in at my man...

cheers

James

While you're on the topic of rust...

My sister is Melbourne has owned 3 360 GLT's and on every one has welded a 3mm aluminuim plate in instead of the original plate that the tailgate lock mounts on.

Is this normal? Or is she just a rust magnet?

Cheers

I can't remember off the top of my head, but I've seen a coupe of 300's with both parts repaired, on the actual tail gate and on the actual car where the striker plate is. I'm assuming either the drainage holes became blocked in the tailgate, as I've noticed if they sit for a long time they can fill up with water, or they've found a spot where it cannot drain out of. On the actual body of the car there is a join the the rubber seal that the hatch shuts onto, and this join attract and holds moisture. It wouldn't be the first I've heard of rotting around this area, but it seems to be a bit hit and miss, worth protecting to prevent rust though.
Pete

Seen another kind of boot/hinge repair on 300 power.com

I might have to check for rust around there, never noticed any, i do know my boot was filling up with water though, as in the inside of the door itself, I normally park with two wheels in the gutter so the car is leaning to the left, as would most places were you drive on the left side of the road, so i drilled a small hole in the lowest part of the bootlid on the left hand side to let it drain out. no more sloshing now.