Warped tailgate

Its a bit warped and I'm going to be side mounting it so thought I'd have a look at what could be done.

I drilled out the rivets and popped off the galvanised inner panel. The aluminium parts all then straightened up nicely and look surprisingly good.

The galv panel however has some proper warp in it. Any suggestions as to how to get it flat again? New ones seem to be £50 and they're not even galv.

Maybe if you bend it straight (if that makes sense!) and reassemble, but try and incorporate some 90 degree ally extrusion?

Big green snail said:

Maybe if you bend it straight (if that makes sense!) and reassemble, but try and incorporate some 90 degree ally extrusion?

Click to expand...

No chance of just bending it straight again. The bottom edge is stretched I reckon so if you try to force it flat it just tenses up and then springs out again elsewhere. Its pretty bad too - maybe 2"+ of twist.

Was hoping someone had experience of shrinking tactically with heat etc.

Worst case is spending out £40 at craddocks for a painted pattern part or £60 on ebay for a galv.
Maybe 3mm chequer would do the same job
Maybe a welded frame made from 10mm sq box section steel frame would help the rigidity for the side hinging... ?

Sorry to say you'll be better off replacing - honestly not convinced you'd get it back flat

If the botton is streached then cut a relief slot and bend it straight then weld the slot up.

bigsi13 said:

If the bottom is stretched then cut a relief slot and bend it straight then weld the slot up.

Click to expand...

Much funnier I think

Yeah me spellins terrible on this crapatalk rubbish.