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Tailgate Alignment

Adierolfe

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Wales
Car
Honda Accord
Sorry if this has been done before. But couldn't find a post

Recently bought an 04 accord estate. The tailgate is out of alignment. 3mm gap passenger side. 6-8mm driver's side.

Would I find the bolts to adjust it on the tailgate or the car roof?

Cheers
 
There are rubber stoppers on the boot. You can screw them in and out. Probably just the side with the too larger a gap wants them screwing in a little. You don't need any tools, just do it by hand.
 
Thanks. I'll have a look when it stops raining. I did notice that the bolts to the boot were loose. But it didn't adjust the gap much

Do you know what size gap there should be?
 
The rubber stoppers are both all the way in. It has to be the bolts from the hinge to car roof...

What's the easiest way to adjust. It's approx 4mm out
 
Hmm, how is it out of alignment. The bumpers address it sitting flush with the contour of the rest of the body. But are you talking about it being square with the actual boot opening? Could you possibly upload a photo? I've never read of anyone having a boot that isn't squarely aligned. This is the first time I've heard of such a thing. Has the boot ever been off? Like for a tailgate motor replacement or something?
 
Stevearcade said:
Hmm, how is it out of alignment. The bumpers address it sitting flush with the contour of the rest of the body. But are you talking about it being square with the actual boot opening? Could you possibly upload a photo? I've never read of anyone having a boot that isn't squarely aligned. This is the first time I've heard of such a thing. Has the boot ever been off? Like for a tailgate motor replacement or something?
I've not had the car long and have no history.

I'm trying to upload pics through Tapatalk but failing.

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk
 
Ok, yeah that's typical of a rubber stopper job (I think). Although you say they're all the way in, for the boot door to stick out that much is weird. I guess, double check for any stoppers you've missed, check for anything that could be obstructing, check for correctly fitted boot seals. It's an odd one.
 
There are places where the seal from the boot has been rubbing.

Would that affect the gap on top of the boot lid to car?
 
The rubbing could be either cause or symptom. It's hard to tell without actually seeing it. My tailgate's broken at the moment and won't open unless I climb in the boot and flick a release switch. Otherwise I'd go outside and check for you, see if I can see anything on mine that might give me an idea.
 
Tailgate Adjustment


1.

With power tailgate: Disconnect the negative battery cable.

NOTE: Open the tailgate by using the emergency lever during adjusting the tailgate.




2.

Remove these items:

  • Quarter pillar trim
  • Roof end trim
  • Tailgate upper trim panel
  • Tailgate side trim panel



3.

With the help of an ***istant, remove the pivot bolt of the tailgate support strut from the tailgate hinge.




4.

Slightly loosen each screw and bolt.




5.

Adjust the tailgate (A) alignment in the following sequence.

  • Adjust the tailgate right and left, as well as up and down, using the elongated holes.
  • Turn the tailgate edge cushions (B), in or out as necessary, to make the tailgate, fit flush with the body at the side edges.
  • Adjust the fit between the tailgate and tailgate opening by moving the striker (C).




8 x 1.25 mm
22 N·m
(2.2 kgf·m, 16 lbf·ft)
AB8 x 1.25 mm
18 N·m (1.8 kgf·m, 13 lbf·ft)
CCDRearwardA8 x 1.25 mm
22 N·m (2.2 kgf·m, 16 lbf·ft)
Left side on power tailgate model only.








6.

Tighten each screw and bolt securely.




7.

Check that the tailgate opens properly and locks securely.




8.

Apply touch-up paint to the tailgate mounting bolts and around the hinges.




9.

Reinstall the pivot bolts of the support struts securely.




10.

Reinstall all remaining removed parts.




11.

With power tailgate: Reconnect the negative cable to the battery.

NOTE:
  • Reset the clock.
  • Perform the power window control unit reset procedure.
 
Tailgate Support Strut Replacement
NOTE:
  • Have an ***istant help you when removing and installing the support strut.
  • Take care not to scratch the body and tailgate.


1. Remove the headliner.



2. Remove the pivot bolts (A), then remove the support strut ( B).




BA
8 x 1.25 mm
22 N·m
(2.2 kgf·m, 16 lbf·ft)






3. Install the tailgate hinge side pivot bolts first, next install the body side, and fix the support strut correctly.
Unable to paste drawing for you, but it appears the headlinig has to come down to get at the adjusting bolts.


Have you tried adjusting the striker plate?
Adjust the tailgate (A) alignment in the following sequence.

  • Adjust the tailgate right and left, as well as up and down, using the elongated holes.
  • Turn the tailgate edge cushions (B), in or out as necessary, to make the tailgate, fit flush with the body at the side edges.
  • Adjust the fit between the tailgate and tailgate opening by moving the striker (C).
Shame the drawings show it better than I can explain.
 
SEA3EM0J18573900000MBAD01_zpsruefjywf.png
 
edgeoftime said:
An old dodge, place a block of wood in the tight side opening, then close the gate on it and lean on the opposite side, you may move it a fraction.
Thanks for all that info above. On a nice day I'll have a look.

Don't fancy using the wood to pull out the good side.

Once it's all done I'll be looking to fix the power tailgate. It sometimes goes up. But never goes down with button or key fob


Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk
 
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