E91 Stiff Tailgate / Boot

[weastman]

I have recently bought an E91 320d Touring.
An issue I have found is that the tailgate is very stiff to open and has to be pulled up most of the way.
It seems that most of the stiffness is coming from the window hinges, the boot seems to open much better with the rear window already opened.

Does anybody have any advice on what could resolve this issue?
I assume that some new struts might improve things but should I be looking at refurbing/cleaning/replacing the window hinges?

Any help much appreciated!

[megenzo]

try putting new tailgate struts in, mine was like that, new struts sorted it

[weastman]

Thanks, I will replace the struts and see how that goes.

Any idea for resolve the stiff opening when opening the window only?

[SlowV6]

My e91 is the same and new struts improved things only marginally for me. The stiffness is definitely in the hinges as the window is also stiff to open. I will ask on Bimmerforums and see if anyone has any ideas.

[iSore]

The problem is the tailgate hinges about to snap, because they're seizing with rust. Common on these and E46 Tourings. Get a load of WD40 or PlusGas in there now and exercise the hinges - there are two hinges, one for the tailgate and another for the glass hatch. Changing broken hinges is a complete PITA.
On the main hinge it's worth disconnecting the gas struts to do this.

[weastman]

I agree that the stiffness is coming from the hinges.

Last night I spent a fun 10mins opening and closing the glass-tailgate while applying liberal GT85, but it is still a little stiff.
On inspection the hinges look to be in ok condition, smothered in grease with no visible corrosion (although I understand this would likely be on the pin rather than the exterior).

Tonight i'll clean grease off, attack with WD40, then GT85 (all while moving the glass-tailgate open and closed).

Does anybody have any ideas if the above doesn't work? Is it possible/easy to remove hinges on by one to disassemble / soak in WD40.

[iSore]

weastman said:

Does anybody have any ideas if the above doesn't work? Is it possible/easy to remove hinges on by one to disassemble / soak in WD40.

No, they're sealed units. WD40 does work, but it takes a LOT of exercise to get it freed off. I'd say at least 100 operations with loads of WD sprayed in - you should see rust coming out.

[weastman]

iSore said:

No, they're sealed units. WD40 does work, but it takes a LOT of exercise to get it freed off. I'd say at least 100 operations with loads of WD sprayed in - you should see rust coming out.

Thanks, So I spent last night opening and closing the glass-tailgate while applying liberal amounts of WD40.
It not opens like a dream.

I am going to apply GT85 today to protect against corrosion and give it some lubricating agent.

The whole-tailgate now opens ok but definitely feel strut limited, looking forward to fitting the new struts.

Thanks for your help.

[iSore]

weastman said:

Thanks, So I spent last night opening and closing the glass-tailgate while applying liberal amounts of WD40.
It not opens like a dream.

I am going to apply GT85 today to protect against corrosion and give it some lubricating agent.

The whole-tailgate now opens ok but definitely feel strut limited, looking forward to fitting the new struts.

Thanks for your help.

You're welcome - and good work!

[caduceus]

Brilliant thread! I have the same issue on my 2005 330D and just fitted new struts with barely any change at all. You have to lift the tailgate pretty much all the way up.
Looks like I'll be out there tomorrow with the WD

[DuckSauce]

Same issue here on my E91 330d, guess what I'll be doing this weekend