T6 Tailgate alignment is out :-(

[T6NOMAD]

Hi Guys,

I have broken my tailgate! :-( just kidding, but i had a lapse of better judgement and now have a consequence that needs fixing. Need some help from those in the know.

The Build: On my tailgate I have the Uberbus spare wheel carrier and custom box on a UberBus wheel carrier bracket that has been modified. To carry the weight I have purchased the UberBus heavy duty gas struts which have been working perfectly fine for a while.

The problem: On a bumpy road i heard some rattling/knocking from the rear door and based on my checks it seemed like the spare wheel bracket seemed loose so I got into action to remove everything, realign and readjust the bracket, bolt it up again as well as weld on a cross member which connects the 2 brackets to even out the load a bit.

What I did wrong: As i have the Heavy Duty gas struts, with no weight on the tailgate, its impossible to close; so I unclipped the left strut only as I wanted the tailgate openable and closeable as i tightened the bracket nuts that go through the tailgate. This seems to have pushed the right side fo the tailgate out of alignment. I almost think that the nuts were loose and the tailgate was rattling and making a noise more than the Uberbus bracket as thought initially.

Does anyone have any advise/ tips/ hints on how to align the tailgate?

I am thinking to take everyhting off the back, and loosen the nuts/bolts and try to align that way with both the HD gas struts disconnected.

See photos below of the problem.

With the tailgate lowered down, but not closed this is the gap on the left side. its uniform and all looks ok.



When looking on the right side this is the gap, i can basically put a finger in there.



From the rear it looks light the gap above the right light and tailgate is bigger than the left side.

 

[Del94]

Is the tailgate now distorted (bent out of shape) seems what’s occurred.
Love that registration BTW

 

[T6NOMAD]

Is the tailgate now distorted (bent out of shape) seems what’s occurred.
Love that registration BTW

I've checked the tailgate symmetry and to my eyes it looks straight. I hope thats not the case :-(

 

[ben5560]

Here you go, for a T5 but its the same

http://www.1946vw.co.uk/vwbooks/vw_info/T5_pdfs/T5_rear_doors_adjust.pdf

 

[T6NOMAD]

Here you go, for a T5 but its the same

http://www.1946vw.co.uk/vwbooks/vw_info/T5_pdfs/T5_rear_doors_adjust.pdf

If we were at a pub i'd buy you a couple of rounds! thank you kind sir

 

[DXX]

I’d be very careful that the strut ball joints haven’t been overloaded now as they could fail in the future.
If that load falls on you while you have the tailgate open it’s not going to end well.

 

[T6NOMAD]

I’d be very careful that the strut ball joints haven’t been overloaded now as they could fail in the future.
If that load falls on you while you have the tailgate open it’s not going to end well.

Yeah im very conscious of that as well. They are the heavy Duty Ball joints from UberBus, but will check them out to be double sure.

Luckly the van is designed that the tailgate is used very little

 

[Stay Frosty]

It's a miracle that lot hasn't bent the tailgate in under the windscreen and popped the glass.
I hate crap hanging off vehicles but wouldn't a tow bar mounted box and putting a standard wheel under the van be kinder to the tailgate and give you some rear visibility?