tailgate removal

[safehands]

as i have a crap tool collection i went to attempt to take the tailgate off last night and low and behold i dont have the correct size bit.
1. does anyone know what size it is so i can buy it
2.can someone confirm to an idiot that its a torx bit i need as i had an argument with a mate who called it a star bit...dunno who is thicker.
please say him :)
3.are the removal bolts accessible under the plastic trim in the back or am i looking at the wrong bits lol
thanksssssssss

ps im sorry about the rotten questions...when i get my haynes manual in there should hopefully be less of this :)

[Brigsy]

Yep the bolts are under the plastic trim. Cant remember the exact size of torx bit required, been years since i removed one.

[NRG]

Torx are 6 sided. Star is 5 ;)

[safehands]

ahhhh yes.thats good al tell him to go jam his head in the toilet seat then :):cooter:

[safehands]

anyone had trouble removing the tailgate bolts in the car.got the correct size torx bit...think its t30 but its catching and slipping.total nightmare.want it off pronto :)

[TopCat]

anyone had trouble removing the tailgate bolts in the car.got the correct size torx bit...think its t30 but its catching and slipping.total nightmare.want it off pronto :)

I think they're a tx40 mate. It shouldn't slip. You need someone to hold the weight of the tailgate when you loosen them :)

[Brigsy]

If you have rounded off the torx bolts drill is probably your only option mate.

[Mr Raider]

Might be worth getting some decent tools mate as could save you time and not rounding off bolts etc. I bought a halfords professional set in a case, was £100 although without a doubt its the best £100 I have spent in the last 5+ years as its got all torque/star bolt bits and it will allow you to do 90% of the jobs on the 5 yourself

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_86 2421_langId_-1_categoryId_255215

Looks like this one mate :)

[safehands]

ill try a 40...ill need to go get one.ive not rounded them off just yet. :) failing that i may try dremeling a line in and undoing with a screwdriver.bloody murder lol

[safehands]

http://i1363.photobucket.com/albums/r703/safehandsglasgow/null_zpse8927293.jpg
http://i1363.photobucket.com/albums/r703/safehandsglasgow/null_zpsc3047a84.jpg

[safehands]

this is what im trying to get sorted.as you can see one of the hinges is completely snapped off.its murder.the one thats still attached is impossible to remove.any ideas....ahhhhhhhhhh

[DaveMayGTT]

If its stuck a few taps with a hammer can help unbind it, some wd40 or penetrating fluid and then gently try and undo. I'm no expert but it seems to work ok for me.

[Junglist]

:eek: why are you changing it. :scared:

[safehands]

I sprayed a **** load of penetrating fluid :( in gonna have a go again timorriw

[TopCat]

If its rounded completely try a larger size torx and hammer it on and use some mole grips. Couldn't be in a worse spot :( good luck matey. I'm sure you'll do it eventually

[NRG]

As Brigsy already said. Drill it out

[safehands]

One is slightly rounded the other is fine it's just stuck solid. If all else fails al try the moleys n if still no joy al maybe give it a little heat up with blowtorch? Or will this just make it worse? Then.... Lol if all that fails ill drill it.

[TopCat]

If the moleys fail mate I'd drill it out rather than heat it- if u catch the roof lining alight you'll end up with a burnt out shell lol

[safehands]

Yeah fair point lol it's a wee dremel soldering iron number , if a get brave al maybe try but ill bear that in mind :)

[Brigsy]

Drill the head off the torx bolt. Why you no listen lol. Whacking the bolt with a hammer will distort the roof:scared:

[safehands]

I need to have anther go by hand as I don't have electricity at my lock up :( all else fails al get the tin opener and peel the roof off lol

[fat roofer]

Might be worth getting some decent tools mate as could save you time and not rounding off bolts etc. I bought a halfords professional set in a case, was £100 although without a doubt its the best £100 I have spent in the last 5+ years as its got all torque/star bolt bits and it will allow you to do 90% of the jobs on the 5 yourself

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_86 2421_langId_-1_categoryId_255215

Looks like this one mate :)

I too bought one and they really are fantastic.......... as long as you don't need a 16mm spanner!!! which obviously comes in handy when separating they engine and box which was my first job on it (thus being the reason for buying a tool kit!):mad: lol

[safehands]

I won with the tailgate. Had to take a new approach. In the boot lying backwards for leverage. Weird lol so this is how it looks. Gonna get it rewelded n put back on.
http://i1363.photobucket.com/albums/r703/safehandsglasgow/null_zpscb6c6155.jpg

[TopCat]

If I were you mate id look into getting a rust free tailgate. Then you know its pucker. You can get a good tailgate for about £40 and then just need to spray it (£80).

I think Scott's got a raider tailgate which is in good nick, might be worth thinking about?

Good perseverance though chap!!

[safehands]

I'm on such a tiny budget in trying to wrk out if its better repaired or cheaper more to the point lol :(