Need advice on best way to repair tailgate leak at hinge Topic is solved

Post by **jreed** » 12 Jan 2020, 13:44

After rainstorms, we started noticing a few drops of water coming into the left hand side of our wagon near the tailgate. The water drips down the plastic trim on the inside of the back pillar.
I put a plastic bag on the outside of the car over the roof and back left corner of the tailgate during the most recent storm, and that was effective at stopping the drops from getting in, so I'm pretty sure the source of the leak is near the hinge seal.
I removed the two plastic screws and clips that hold the left end of the rubber seal and gently peeled the strip up to get a look at the body parts underneath. There was a strip of rubber tape (not shown in photos) underneath the end of the rubber seal that came off.

I would appreciate hearing advice and experience from anybody else who has had a similar problem... what was the source of the leak and what was the best way you found to fix it? Thanks.

There are some cracks visible in the sealing putty between the hinge and the body.
Could the water be entering the crack and dripping into the interior of the car?

The seal itself is marked EPDM with part number 9154130.

Post by **abscate** » 12 Jan 2020, 17:10

Aren’t you missing a gasket on the hinge plate?

Never mind. That rubber gasket seats down hard on my car, though

See last page if my ‘ breakdown in Oneonta ‘ thread

Post by **jreed** » 14 Jan 2020, 05:26

Thanks. I will check out the wiring too when I'm working on sealing up the cracks at the top of the hinge.

Post by **jreed** » 18 Jan 2020, 08:50

I cleaned up the seam area between the hinge and the body, where there were lots of cracks in the putty due to age.
I used a wire brush to abrade the area and then cleaned it off afterwards by wiping and then by spraying a very little bit of acetone-based brake cleaner and wiping some more.

Then I applied some two part epoxy to the cracked areas all around the hinge.

I will reassemble the rubber seal and test out the repair after the epoxy sets up.

Post by **jreed** » 26 Jan 2020, 06:53

Quick update... we had a long and heavy rainstorm overnight. No water drops found in the car the next morning. I'll keep an eye on it (and the right hand hinge too, which hasn't leaked noticeably yet), but for now marking this request for advice "solved".

jamesdc · Post by **jamesdc** » 18 May 2022, 15:20

Got the same leak on my 1999 v70. Great thread thank you for posting - still sealed well?

Post by **jreed** » 18 May 2022, 16:43

Yes, no problems with leaks since sealing it up with epoxy. If the other side starts to leak, I will consider doing the repair job the same way.

JDNelson · Post by **JDNelson** » 20 Feb 2023, 05:57

Hiya. Just bought a '98 V70. It's got the same leak. Mine is missing the rubber boot at the hinge on the side that leaks. It's number "9" on the parts breakout. Anyone know where to get one of these or a suitable alternative? I can't find one and the ($$$$) OEM hinge doesn't come with it. Thank you!

Post by **jreed** » 20 Feb 2023, 10:11

I have had good luck recently sourcing parts from Voluparts.com in Atlanta. Another good source would be from Robert Spinner, who has a great YouTube channel RobertDIY.
If there is a local junkyard available, you might be able to find the part there.

JDNelson · Post by **JDNelson** » 20 Feb 2023, 11:15

jreed wrote: ↑20 Feb 2023, 10:11 I have had good luck recently sourcing parts from Voluparts.com in Atlanta. Another good source would be from Robert Spinner, who has a great YouTube channel RobertDIY.
If there is a local junkyard available, you might be able to find the part there.

Thank you! I'll give them a call.