Hey guys. Hopefully someone can help me out. I have quite a few questions regarding some info for the panelvan/wagon tailgates. I have tried to get as much info off this and the fb/ek sites but couldn't find it.
I have had the lower part of my upper tailgate remade and a new skin made for the lower tailgate. Everything has been made as per originals but I noticed a few possible problems and am getting it fixed but I need some more detailed info. I have a rare spares lower tailgate seal.
I have read that the seals on the tailgate are poor but what have wagon/van owners done to fix the bad sealing issues?
What are the holes at each end of the seal for? Is it just to let the rubber flex/squish a bit more?
Looking at the photos it looks like the lower tailgate sits with an even margin showing to the bottom of the upper tailgate. Attached is a pic of an example found on here and how mine sits. The lower part of my upper tailgate is an even measurement all the way along but because its tilted forward on the body opening the centre rolls up and makes it a little higher . Hard to explain but you should be able to make it out in the pics. Is this normal and just hard to see in posted pics?
If anyone has a lower tailgate handy could they please get a measurement off the top edge of the tailgate to the top of the seal holding lip. Does it stay parallel to the top. Mine has been welded on so it dips in the centre so the seal isnt sitting parallel to the top edge of the tailgate. Think this needs to get fixed.
Both tailgates are curved left to right.Should the upper tailgate and the steel seal holder/groove on the lower tailgate follow the same curve/shape. When I don't have the rubber installed and close the lower tailgate over the upper the top edge of the lower tailgate has an even gap to the upper. However the seal holder/groove is touching on the ends and theres a 8 mm gap in the centre. Is this why they leak?
My local rare spares shop said they saw a wagon that had daylight in the centre so maybe they"re all like that?
Theres also a recess/relief in the centre of the backside of the tailgate which relieves the pressure on the seal so this doesn't help things either.You can see this area clearly in this pic. Was thinking maybe putting a rubber behing the seal in this area to make it tighter when closed?
Sorry for the long post but hopefully someone can shed some more light on this with info/ pics, thanks again.
Miikael