Upper Tailgate Bent?

Finally got the lse through the MOT Didn't have to replace the whole rear crossmember got away with a box section.

Changed the lower tailgate with a nice newer one freshly sprayed and that looks and works a treat. Unfortunately its thrown the upper tailgate out of kilter and its not catching on one side:doh:

The lower tailgate looks spot on and is opening and closing fine. Could it be the upper tailgate (alloy version) has twisted having been paired with the mangled old lower tailgate over the last few years?

I appreciate the lower tailgate has to be a nice fit to match up with the upper tailgate and to me it looks fine. Just looking for other peoples experiences with tailgates, thanks.

have you adjusted the catch rods on the top tailgate!

fett said:

have you adjusted the catch rods on the top tailgate!

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I have, but its like the tailgate has warped because the side not catching is approx 5mm from meeting the catch, but it does not appear to be the lower tailgate that's stopping it from reaching, where as the side that is catching is catching far easier than it did before:doh:

The right hand lower tailgate hinge had to be welded to the new box section so I initially thought this wasn't accurate enough, but the lower tailgate opens and closes a treat and is sitting nicely. So I'm leaning towards the tailgate being warped.

I tacked mine in lightly and then fitted my tailgate and locked it to check before seam welding.

It could be the rubber on the top one, is tat a new top one you have fitted?

fett said:

I tacked mine in lightly and then fitted my tailgate and locked it to check before seam welding.

It could be the rubber on the top one, is tat a new top one you have fitted?

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The left hand hinge (lower tailgate) is really solid and hasn't been touched so tacked the right hinge to make sure of a good fit and then seam welded so the lower tailgate is sitting quite nicely. Have adjusted the catches in the body and it is now virtually catching just not 100%.

No fett the upper tailgate is an alloy replacement that is a few years old by the looks of it so could well have twisted.