Worth replacing??

[MissMc]

Hi,

Not been on for a while but still very happy with Van Diesel but wondering how easy it is to replace a tailgate and passenger sliding door?

To recap, I bought a very, very tatty Mk 2 '52' 18 months ago. It's had quite a bit of work, the most costly being the timing belt and secondary belt replacement. Also with help from this great forum we have fixed both electric windows, replaced a damaged electric mirror, replaced the water pump, replaced two rear windows, found replacement boot liner and parcel shelf, and more.

Recently the gearbox went in that the gear stick went floppy. The RAC came out and we found one of the missing parts on the road. They fixed it back on and as it didn't look too hard to do, and with help from the forum, we decided to have a go ourselves, bought new bits for £31 online and fixed it. To say we were chuffed to bits is an understatement.

I have spent much more on the car than it cost to buy and the only thing letting it down now really is the exterior (although I still have to buy some of the missing plastic fascias for the boot area and new headlining).

The tailgate is quite scruffy. It has a dent that I have just filled with filler, and a few other small dings where the paint hasn't been affected. The plastic inside panel is hanging on by a thread. The rear heated window doesn't work (I have tried to fix with a soldering iron but no luck) although there is power going to it, and the window glass is badly scratched inside from the previous owner's dog. The two side windows were the same but we got two very nice versions online which were very easy to fit.

At the moment there is a tailgate online, my colour and year. It doesn't look bad at all, but I am not sure how easy it would be to fit? Hs anyone done this? Also the cost is pretty steep (£150 with postage) and don't want to go over £100 if I can.

Also the sliding passenger door does not fit well at the top. It opens, shuts and locks OK and water doesn't seem to get in but it is extremely noisy on the motorway with the wind whistling through. Again, how easy is it to replace? And how can I tell if it is the door that is warped, or perhaps the door frame? Worried about buying a new door and having the same problem.

Thanks so much if you have read to the end of this post

[ron]

Be practical,it's never going to be concours is it?If the tailgate works ok,leave it. Check each element in thr HRW with a volt meter/test lamp.Check the sliding door mounts for adjustability before splashing out.Don't worry about cosmetics,keep your loot for important things.

[ffrenchie]

Have a look for tips on adjusting the sliding door it may just need tweaking to pull the top in when it closes.

[MissMc]

Be practical,it's never going to be concours is it?If the tailgate works ok,leave it. Check each element in thr HRW with a volt meter/test lamp.Check the sliding door mounts for adjustability before splashing out.Don't worry about cosmetics,keep your loot for important things.

Hi Ron,

Sorry not to reply earlier. I think I must have turned off email notifications. 

We did check the voltage before buying the soldering gun but seems the problem is in the window parts. I'm not sure we checked every element on the window though! Will check again. 

I will check the door for adjustabillity as ffrenchie suggests. Never thought it would be something simple, although the door doesn't look warped or bashed in any way so perhaps this will fix it. I could then live with the tailgate..........at least it stays up after sourcing new stays, it's just that the plastic panel falls down most times I open it. Perhaps will just replace that part. 

The internal boot roof area is still covered in padded silver foil thinking it would dampen any noise. My sister in law said it looked like a mini cannabis farm!

[MissMc]

Have a look for tips on adjusting the sliding door it may just need tweaking to pull the top in when it closes.

Sorry about the late reply ffrenchi. This is just what I needed. Can't wait to have a go at it. Will definitely let you know the outcome. Oh, to be able to hear the radio when you're on the motorway

[MissMc]

Have a look for tips on adjusting the sliding door it may just need tweaking to pull the top in when it closes.

My husband had a go at this at the weekend and it worked a treat, thanks! Well, it's nearly closed fully now but he said the torx screws were starting to sheer and he could only tighten them so far in the correct position so we have found new screws online hoping to be able to adjust the door fully then.

At 60mph some wind still gets through but the noise is much less. With more tweaking think it will be sorted.

[ffrenchie]

Good to hear a bit of progress, I hope you get the rest of it sorted soon.