Bottom Rubber Seal
"I've got some spare seal hanging out at one end."
Ensure that the two outer edges are in place first. Then fit the section in the centre of the tailgate. Keep working in this way, fitting the centre of the largest area still loose until your rubber is attached every couple of centimetres along it’s length. You can now work from one end to the other pushing the seal home. It will be a perfect fit!
"Make more slip."
Rub washing up liquid along the side of the seal that fits into the extrusion. It will make it easier to manoeuvre.
"Check it's seated properly."
Once fitted, pull the seal away from the tailgate and ensure there are no tell-tale ‘balloons’ still sticking out. (see below)
Corner Pieces
"Will my pliers mark the paint finish squeezing the corner trims in place?"
The powder coating on these corner trims vary. If the coating was applied too thickly on manufacture it flakes off when crimped. To minimize the risk tape both sides of your pliers with masking tape to cushion the pressure.
"The paint has flaked off the corner trims and these are supposed to enhance the job!"
These items are Land Rover! Don’t try to touch up as you go, wait until the job is finished, then touch up the corners with satin black car paint.
Hinges
"My hinge screws won’t screw in – there’s something missing!"
The plate for the hinge screws fits down a slot in the side frame extrusion. Normally, they are a slight interference fit and will hold in position as required. However, occasionally they will slide freely in the slot. This is not a problem. Simply turn the tailgate upside down and gently tap the top of the tailgate* on the floor or your workstation until the plate re-appears. Be careful not to repeat the problem. It may help to put a thin screw, nail or similar in the hole to hold the plate in position while you locate the hinge.
*Protect the top edge when tapping the tailgate on the floor to avoid any damage to the top edge.
Final adjustments
"The Tailgate appears slightly low when fitted."
Slacken the hinge screws and push the tailgate up to raise it. If the tailgate appears level in the aperture, loosen the lock locating peg on the side frame of the car body and lower this peg until it smoothly locks into the tailgate side lock.
If it still requires more adjustment, take off the locking pin, turn over and re-adjust. (The nuts are held in a captured plate so you won't lose them.)
|
Hints & Tips 
