Tailgate hinges shifting...

[mpeteritas]

Hey all, this is my first post...probably first of many. We got a used 2002 mini cooper for my wife. We have had a bunch of stupid little problems with the car since getting it and the latest one is bugging me...

The tailgate when closed is not aligned properly...it sits too low, almost scratching the bumper. When I open it, I notice the two hinges at the top look like they are pulled away from the car about 1/4" - 1/2" Wondering if I can use a block of wood and mallet to just tap them back in, or if they are actually threaded bolts that require disassembly.

Anyone else seen this problem? Does anyone have the service manual pages for removing/installing the rear tailgate from the body of the car? Any advice will be much appreciated...

Thanks!

-mark

[Root Ginger]

Hmm not sure there's any adjustment in the rear tailgate.

Pictures would probably help us diagnose the problem and solution

[DaFlake]

Welcome to the forum... Photos would help. Are you sure that this vehicle has not been in any accidents, that sounds awefully like it was rear ended.

[Root Ginger]

Quote: Originally Posted by Super Flake

Welcome to the forum... Photos would help. Are you sure that this vehicle has not been in any accidents, that sounds awefully like it was rear ended.

I agree Super Flake, or it could have been bent through overloading and slamming the boot shut. I wanted to see pictures of hinges, tailgate shut to show panel gaps and close up of nearly rubbing against bumper.

Should be enough for us to hazard a guess

[damiond]

Are you sure the hinges are out, and not the little rubber stoppers?
I seem to recall reading some instructions somewhere about a delicate way to adjust the rubber stoppers for when the boot doesn't quite close correctly.

[mpeteritas]

Will post some pics of the hinges and the door position when shut. Like you guys said, it *could* have been in an accident at some point. The title was clean, but we know that doesn't necessarily tell the whole story

-mark

[here2help]

Make sure the rubber bump stops are adjusted outwards until you measure 38mm from the tailgate/body to the end of the bump stop.

You can also adjust the tailgate via the two bolts that hold the catch in place which are easily accessible if you remove the blanking covers and then adjust the 10mm bolts outwards slightly making the tailgate sit more proud if you understand what i mean?

Cheers

[mpeteritas]

Ok, pics are attached. As you can see its the vertical alignment that's off. The right hinge has some marks which make me think it has been repaired already...

Let me know what you guys think. (and please excuse the sticker and dirt...this is my wife's car

If anyone has service manual pages regarding adjustments to the tailgate, they would be helpful...closest mini dealer is 1 hour away, so I am hoping to just adjust it myself.

-mark

[Root Ginger]

OK, that is a lot worse than I imagined. Those tailgate hinges should be flush with the bodywork. You can see the lines where they used to rest. Almost looks like they are very loose or bent.

I will post pics of my hinges for you to compare in a bit.

[Root Ginger]

OK, I would say for certain that the hinges are either bent or need tightening. Took various pics of my two MINIs. You should see from the pics where it should sit flush.


Click to enlarge images

[Root Ginger]

Just taking another look at those pictures reveals that they either are not adjustable or would need to be done from the inside as there is no nut on the outside.

Two ticks I'll go and get my Haynes manual out...

[Root Ginger]

Unfortunately it mentions nothing about the tailgate hinges. Only how to remove the tailgate itself from the hinge. It is possible then that it could be riveted on. This could mean drilling out the rivet and refitting with a new one.

I'll let some other people give their views though now we have pictures of damaged and regular hinges.

[DaFlake]

I believe that they are rivits... I seriously think that his MINI was rear ended.

[Root Ginger]

... yeah, and then fitted a new bumper and tailgate. I reckon the rivets are loose and had been hammered back into place and worked there way loose again.

I take it the tailgate wasn't misaligned like this when you got it. TBH if it has a new bootlid then worse case (provided everything is straight) it will need new hinges and re-riveting. Not too much hassle really.

[mpeteritas]

Thanks, all for the pics and insight. The door sagged just a little when we bought it, but I didn't think much of it. I didn't notice the hinges being separated from the body until last week. It IS possible that it was rear ended before we bought it. I would have no way of knowing at this point.

I suspect that the hinges must be accessable from the inside of the car though. Since the rivet has no hole for a pin, I don't think it could be inserted from the outside. Either riveted from the INSIDE or there may be a nut somewhere inside. So Haynes doesn't mention anything of it?

It is Haynes that does the "official" service manual or Bentley, or someone else?

Anyone else have any service manual detail?