rr bottom tail gate hinges

[sean m]

Can anyone take a picture of how bottom spring assists go  on hinges and right spelling for hinges,

[bezzabsa]

spelling is correct for Hinges.. as for fitting them - aint got a clue - sorry

[DaveS]

I could do with that myself, mine are still in my shed after x-member change!
No indication in the workshop manual of how they go , can't remember how they were as it was a long time between fitting and replacing!!!

[Range Rover Ron]

hello DaveS,

I've done a post about the replacement of the rear Xmemeber on my RRC, did you do it yourself?
How difficult would it be to do on my front drive.
Any tips or sugestions would be much appreciated.

cheers.....................

[DaveS]

I did mine on my drive, took a while due to the inclement weather.
Mine is an 89 efi. it was the first time I had undertaken a big job like this, only having welded sills etc previously.
 
You have to remove rear seats carpets, rubber mats and lower seat belt mounts.(They go through the floor onto brackets attached to chassis)

Then the centre floor panel -lots of rivets to drill out

I then removed rear lamps and rear wings. Mine has a fuel expansion tank in the offside rear wing next to the filler. This was also removed for safety.

Removing wings gave better access to the lower part of the x-member and enables the wiring to be moved out of the way.

Depressurize fuel system (on efi) and drop the tank.(Remove tow bar side bits if fitted!)

Tank is heavy, best get a helper! (I did it on my own)  I am quite a big bloke!- but it was a struggle!

Remove fuel filter and tape up the pipes.

With the tank out it is easy to get at the x-member. Disconnect the wiring to the tailgate, and remove tailgate. It IS heavy so you might need a helper-wish I had had one!
PS make a note of how the hinge springs go!!

I found I had to cut out some of the floor as well as the x-member (rusty!)
( the steel part in the rear corners)
Weld in the new one. and repair any other bits

My tailgate did not close- After advice here, I cut off the brackets and used the brackets off the old member with a spacer plate-bit trial and error and a pain but got there in the end! Then put it all back together.

I bought new x-member mounting bolts and rubbers.  

Check all the fuel lines are tight before you put the floor back-I did and found one loose when I started her up!! Glad I did that for obvious reasons!!

Probably worth soaking all the bolts in WD 40 or oil before starting. I did but some were a pain ! Mainly seat bolts. Some sheared and had to be surgically removed!

I had to use some cleats and cable ties to secure the rear light wiring to the new cross member.

Hope this has helped , not too difficult but hard work.

I bought my parts from Paddocks, about £50 including delvery.

[clbarclay]

Trying to work out which side spring is which is trial and error (I can't remember whether they pointed in towards the middle or out).

One end is about 1/4 inch long followed by a sharp 90 degree bend. this end goe into a hole in the cross member hinge mounts (needs a new hole drilling as aftermarket members come with them).

This end of the spring goes in the hole with the sring going up and round the top of the hinge brakets (mine needed grinding slightly for them to fit right) and then out allong the chassis.

Its a bit like a jigsaw, once i worked out it went up and round the braket rather than down under it it all seemed so much more simple.


The other end has a larger radious curve at the end with fits round the hinge pin. The hinge sits so that the spring pushes it up to a verticle position (but it can still flop forwards from verticle)

[DaveS]

Thanks for that
There is a "p" clip on the long part of the spring, these screw into the member- I presume to stop the spring twisting.
A job for the weekend maybe!

[richard_sephton]

can some one get a pic of the spring when they get it in right becase i have also tryed mine in every possible way round with no luck :?

[Range Rover Ron]

hi guys, thanks for all the info, I'll take lots of pictures of the springs etc, then can send them to you.

I'm planning on doing the job in the next few weeks.

cheers...................