tailgate latch or catch

[5rivers]

Greetings all!!

I opted to replace the tailgate on my almost roadworthy '98 V70 T5 for a less rusty part!
The problem I am having now is the tailgate needs a major shove/force for the latch and catch to engage.
Is this a latch issue or a catch issue? Or is it that the two parts are not compatible?
I read in older posts that there was a change in the latch dependent upon the engine/chassis number.
The replacement tailgate was from an XC V70 (not sure if it was a '98, '99, or '00).
Any suggestions on how I might solve this problem before the tailgate glass pops out (or something breaks) from the hard closures?

For what it's worth, the tailgate on my blue '98 V70 closes easily and without a whole lot of force on the tailgate.
Appreciate your thoughts!

[abscate]

They do wear out on high miles cars that got used as wagons. I’ve replaced two on V70 chassis, three if I include the junkyard one that lasted one year. New ones are expensive , like $200 , but if you want a working wagon that’s how I would go

[rrres]

I'm assuming the "latch" is the assembly on the tailgate. I've replaced the latch assembly on my 99XC, with a better one from the junkyard, and it fixed the slamming problem. There was a post where someone wrapped electrical tape around the catch to provide more "push" to the latch. The idea was that, over time, the rubber coating on the latch gets deteriorated that it doesn't fully engage the catch to move it to its full motion. The electrical tape wrapped around the catch compensated for the worn rubber coating on the latch. You can try that and see if it helps. If not, then it might be something else.

[abscate]

Since I’ve got a new one in my parts box for Shagg I can measure that thickness and report back.

[scot850]

I thought the latch pin had a plastic or nylon sleeve on it, presumably to lessen damage of a metal pin hitting the latch assembly. I can't recall now if there is any adjustment in the latch plate?

I had the reverse problem of tailgate rattle. One issue was that plastic sleeve had broken off, but replacing that only fixed some of the issue. It still rattled until I realised the bump stops were missing.

You might want to check. I can't recall if there was a part change on the latch assembly from 98 to 99.

Neil.

[foggydogg]

Greetings all!!

I opted to replace the tailgate on my almost roadworthy '98 V70 T5 for a less rusty part!
The problem I am having now is the tailgate needs a major shove/force for the latch and catch to engage.
Is this a latch issue or a catch issue? Or is it that the two parts are not compatible?
I read in older posts that there was a change in the latch dependent upon the engine/chassis number.
The replacement tailgate was from an XC V70 (not sure if it was a '98, '99, or '00).
Any suggestions on how I might solve this problem before the tailgate glass pops out (or something breaks) from the hard closures?

For what it's worth, the tailgate on my blue '98 V70 closes easily and without a whole lot of force on the tailgate.
Appreciate your thoughts!

The latch post came with a plastic bushing on the post, if time and tide has worn it out, that could be an issue. The plate itself is adjustable, and is still available from Mother Volvo.
I like these folks.
https://www.volvopartscounter.com/oem-p ... er-9485477
And of course,
https://www.fcpeuro.com/Volvo-parts/V70 ... ds=9485477

[abscate]

10 mm diameter on the brand new latch hook

[foggydogg]

Greetings all!!


Is this a latch issue or a catch issue? Or is it that the two parts are not compatible?
I read in older posts that there was a change in the latch dependent upon the engine/chassis number.
...
Any suggestions on how I might solve this problem before the tailgate glass pops out (or something breaks) from the hard closures?

For what it's worth, the tailgate on my blue '98 V70 closes easily and without a whole lot of force on the tailgate.
Appreciate your thoughts!

The chassis break may not matter, I swapped the old part number into my '99 Problem Child with no issues. The note in the Volvo catalog system mentions two-stage unlocking, so it looks like it's just that portion of the latch that has an electrical difference.
The striker is adjustable, although if the hard plastic bushing is worn out getting good closure without a rattle could be a challenge.
When I put the new striker in mine, I left the screws just loose enough so the plate would move with resistance, pushed it all the way to the outward limit of the travel, then gently closed the hatch while holding the release handle in the open position. That got the striker plate close, fine tuned it from there.

[scot850]

There were actually 3 different latch mechanisms, although Volvo told me most in North America are 2 stage locking, same as the door locks. There is also the variant with the internal handle to open the tailgate.

Neil.