Having trouble fixing '98 V70 tailgate clips

[1337]

My V70 tailgate was rattling a lot. I think I correctly diagnosed the problem as the tailgate's interior panel rattling around due to broken clips.

No problem. Several companies make kits to replace the broken clips and other broken parts. I bought the "Professional Parts Sweden" tailgate repair kit:
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/tailgate-panel-kit

I installed the kit yesterday. Today, I took a 60 mile roundtrip drive, and the tailgate was rattling the entire time, taunting me. In fact, today, a few more of the clips seem to be hanging on, so the one or two non-functional clips now rattle at a much higher frequency. So, the rattle is now worse than it was before. Arghhhh

I'm having a couple of problems:
1. Each time I take the tailgate interior panel off, some more clips break. I used an interior panel removal tool, and I try to do it gently, but these clips seem so fragile! I already don't have enough non-broken clips to put it back together tonight. Is there a trick to this?!

2. When I took the tailgate interior panel off yesterday, the small panel around the interior handle came off easily. Today, I tried to take this little panel off again, and it wouldn't budge! I tried from all different angles, using various tools to gently pry at. I eventually broke it! Ughhhh:

Is there a trick to this?


3. Even with all of the clips being not broken and installed correctly (I think), some of the clips just won't clip into the tailgate. I replaced the "clip receivers" (not sure of the correct term ... the little metal things that screw into the tailgate), and they're already bent and misshapen. Is there a trick to not ruining these?

Sorry for being so grumpy. I thought I had fixed this. but apparently not... Bad day. Who designed this stupid tailgate?

[benpineapple]

I feel your pain, and I'm guessing 95% of the members of the forum also will, too.

I used one of those kits as well, with poor success as well. A lot of times there isn't even much left to screw those metal plates to. After an unsuccessful kit, I just removed the panel entirely, which gave me some peace of mind (lock stem bounces around, had to add a pad to that).

Anyways, the panel is back on now, I screwed the thing in place, using small 3/4" thick pieces of wood in some spots as spacers between the panel and the metal frame of the tailgate panel. I measured points on the tailgate that I could screw into, and copied those measurements over to the panel, and drove the screws through the panel and into the wood spacers (where needed), that way they would be in place already when installing the tailgate. I put 3 screws in the middle area (ish), 4 on the bottom (1 on either side of the latch, 1 on either bottom corner), a couple up top near the wiper regulator, and 1 on either upper corner.

Sorry, I don't have pics from the process, hope this kind of helps at least.

[chrafael]

The kit I used lasted about two weeks. Hardly worth the bother. I think I'll try stainless screws with finish washers when I get back to it. Good idea about the wood blocks.

[benpineapple]

Haha, got the idea for wood blocks at a pick n pull. I was pulling apart a tailgate to take the rear wiper motor, was pleasantly surprised how solid a job they had done with the tail panel.

[dyn blin]

Perhaps the panel is only part of the problem, I found my latch mechanism had a plastic cover that had shaken loose and was so loud I thought the door was open and banging against the latch. Here's a walk-though so you can check it when you go back in:

https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... =1&t=74984

As far as the interior handle, others manage to get it off without breaking it. However, I never do, and always try to order a replacement before I perform any work back there.

[1337]

Okay. Here's my plan:

1. get a fresh handle (and perhaps a fresh rear panel) from pick-n-pull. (good to have a spare in case I butcher it)
I love living a mile from a pick-n-pull.

2. Assemble a pile of wood scraps

3. How do you recommend attaching wood to the metal part of the tailgate?

4. Screw the tailgate panel to the wood

[precopster]

I had the same bother with an aftermarket clip set for my 2000 V70 afew years ago. I had it off for 4 years then decided it was way too ugly with all those wires and latches being visible. Two large panel washers and 2 self-tapping screws and it stays on nicely, however the self-tappers have had a tendency to loosen..

On my 98V70R afew of the clips have loosened and it totally spoils what would have been a fine ride. Having just sold the R on the condition to fix some niggles including the rattles, I'm wondering about whether the new owner would accept large panel washers or multiple screws. Guess I"ll have to have him read this thread........

[beigg]

what makes the tailgate of the 850's seem to not bottom out to close tightly 100% ? I've ran into some where you had to slam the gate so hard that it questioned whether or not the back window would stay in place! Adjust the catch, the latch, and check all the bumpers. Any adjustment made no change.

[kklepack]

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