Had to replace the hinges on my 99 tj, I was able to get 4 of the 8 torx bolts with a hand held impact driver and a 1/2 inch air wrench. Broke 3 T40 sockets on the others. Found a simple solution that others may have shared but just in case. Drill the T40 head out with a bit same size as the threaded part of the bolt, the head will come off and the hinge can be removed. Then weld a regular nut to the bolt that's left and while hot turn out with a wrench. Hope this helps
Tailgate hinge
- Thread starter SAR
- Start date
I do it this way and can sometimes spin the remaining screw out with my fingers.
Head Lice
TJ Addict
Edgar Marton
TJ Enthusiast
Hello and best regards from Hungary! My old TJ has a little problem again. For months the tailgate has only been able to be moved with a lot of force - oiling the pins has not brought any improvement.
Do I need to replace the pins and how do I do it - do I have to unscrew the whole hinge? And where can I buy the 3/8 dia ... I haven't found anything at Rockauto. Is there a "quick and dirty" solution - I don't want to invest a lot of money at 300,000 km.
Is it easy to change the pins ???? - well, it's certainly not easy ...
Greetings from Hungary
(one of 7 TJs in Hungary)
Do I need to replace the pins and how do I do it - do I have to unscrew the whole hinge? And where can I buy the 3/8 dia ... I haven't found anything at Rockauto. Is there a "quick and dirty" solution - I don't want to invest a lot of money at 300,000 km.
Is it easy to change the pins ???? - well, it's certainly not easy ...
Greetings from Hungary
(one of 7 TJs in Hungary)
Not sure you can replace the pins...I thought the hinge was a sealed unit.
Are you sure the hinges haven't slid around causing a misalignment or bind?
-Mac
Are you sure the hinges haven't slid around causing a misalignment or bind?
-Mac
DeltaNu1142
TJ Enthusiast
I removed mine a couple of weeks ago. I didn’t even try it without a minute or two under the heat gun. After the first four came out without any drama, I thought, “hey, maybe I don’t need the heat gun.”
The fifth one fought back hard. Back to the heat. That one and the rest came out intact and without much of a hassle, but only under heat.
The fifth one fought back hard. Back to the heat. That one and the rest came out intact and without much of a hassle, but only under heat.
You will almost certainly need to replace the hinges as an assembly. You can likely find some used on this forum or ebay. It aftermarket is an option including an Exogate. Your budget is obviously a factor though.
DeltaNu1142
TJ Enthusiast
@Edgar Marton, I have my set in Flame Red. If you’re interested, just reach out.
Oh… just realized you’re in Hungary. Well, if there’s a way I can help let me know.
USPS does do international flat rate shipping, it just lowers the weight authorized. marked on the side of the boxes at the post office
DeltaNu1142
TJ Enthusiast
Yes, they do… I looked into it to return some ADV boots last year and it was prohibitive compared to the value of said boots.
But I’m willing to check into it if it’s useful.
I drilled 5mm holes into my hinges and just slightly into the pins too. I tapped them to M6. I sprayed penetrating oil into the holes, then fitted grease nipples. I'm not sure I actually managed to get any grease into the hinge, but worked the tailgate open and closed and it freed up significantly. I think I then cut down M6 bolts to replace the nipples as there wasn't the clearance to leave then in place. If i remember I'll get a pic tomorrow.
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