After having had to live for years with a jammed tailgate handle, I decided to do something about it.

I opened the plastic cover and examined how it worked. The original spring was not rusted, still packed in grease but didn't work.

And suddenly....I saw the solution! Easy, simple and of high quality!

Cost me Euro 1,50, one hour work and now it's solved once and for all. This solution doesn't require dismantling the wiper motor etc., just a few things to do. Works like a dream.

You need:

1 tension spring
1 threaded screw M4x25
1 nut M4
1 nut M5
1 tube (steel, aluminium, brass, all will do as long as it's rigid) with inner diameter 4,5 mm (or more), 14 mm long.
1 small bracket (self made)
I piece of thick wire to bridge the distance between the spring and the fixing.

See pictures below. If anyone is intertested to apply this solution, just let me know and wil explain how to do it.

I went for the parts that actually caused the jamming, not just adding more spring force to get around it.
Link.
Also cleaned the lock mechanism throughsafts and filed some pastic off so it is now a bit loose. Now it has room to rust again and it will not cause jamming.

Considered your solution, but found that the handlever would still jam if tried to open when tailgate was locked.

Hi Nevereth, you're right....just discovered:bang:

Cheaper and easier to fit a new handle

Did this to mine a couple of years back, one thing I noticed was it's a fine balancing act. You may find that now and again you can open the boot without unlocking the car ! Worth a check....

Iain

usc170j said:

Did this to mine a couple of years back, one thing I noticed was it's a fine balancing act. You may find that now and again you can open the boot without unlocking the car ! Worth a check....

Iain

Click to expand...

I think I would really laugh when that happens...

Lol, it still beat the hell out of climbing through the car with a slipped disc !

Iain