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Gutterslug
Samba Member
Joined: April 23, 2003
Posts: 161
Location: Somewhere near Vancouver BC Canada
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 Posted: Fri Apr 22, 2005 3:01 pm Post subject: Squareback tailgate question |
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I'm wondering how the fast the tailgate on my 68 squareback is supposed to open.
If I open mine about a foot or so it will come flying up by itself if I don't hold it. A couple of times my buddy's have opened it not knowing you need to hold it and it comes flying up so fast that it bottoms out the hinges. I go to close it after and it hits the top of the drip rail and chips the paint off on it's way down because it has opened so fast it knocked the hinges out of adjustment.
It closes OK as long as I hold it until about the last foot.
Did they come from the factory like this or are my springs set up wrong?
For what it's worth the PO put a 70 tailgate on it.
Thanks! |
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Russ Wolfe
Samba Member
Joined: October 08, 2004
Posts: 25187
Location: Central Iowa
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| Posted: Fri Apr 22, 2005 3:39 pm Post subject: |
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Most people are used to the modern shock type openers. Our Sqbk tail gates do not have those oil dampers, so they Have to be held. The only thing opening the hatch is a couple torsion bars, and they are not adjustable.
As for going out of adjustment when slammed open, check the torque on the bolt between the hinge arms, and the tailgate. You might want to put some star washers under the head of those bolts.
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Society is like stew. If you don't keep it stirred up, you end up with a lot of scum on the top!--Edward Abbey
Gary: OK. Ima poop. |
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Gutterslug
Samba Member
Joined: April 23, 2003
Posts: 161
Location: Somewhere near Vancouver BC Canada
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| Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2005 11:09 am Post subject: |
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Thanks Russ. 
So has anyone done the gas-strut add-on with any success?
Just wondering before I start drilling holes in my car. |
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josh
Samba Member
Joined: July 13, 2003
Posts: 1773
Location: laid back in the tall grass
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| Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2005 6:12 pm Post subject: |
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Your car is 37 years old and you're worried because this is working too well?
Hood struts last what a year, two?
I would learn to lift the gate by hand. But then I'm biased. I think hood struts suck. |
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winnetcom
Samba Member
Joined: April 03, 2005
Posts: 61
Location: Tujunga, CA.
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| Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2005 1:42 am Post subject: |
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The rear hatch on my 68 Squareback works very nicely, pretty much like original I guess. Pull it up about a foot and it stays, then a nudge gets it going up kind of in slow motion. Takes about 3 seconds, no stress on hinges. No hands necissary. Can't tell what makes it work...
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'69 T2 Westfalia "Daily Driver"
'68 T3 Squareback "Original"
'56 T2 Singlecab Pickup "Lifetime Project" |
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