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tailgate problems - help!
https://www.slantsix.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=9390
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Author:  Eatkinson [ Mon May 24, 2004 10:19 am ]
Post subject:  tailgate problems - help!

Guys, I need some help here. I've been working on the tailgate of my '60 valiant wagon trying to get it open, but to no avail.

The problem is that the mechanism of one of the rotary locks is rusted. I've taken the inside panel off and I've been liberally spraying said mechanism with Liquid Wrench for weeks. I've also been banging on it with a hammer and screwdriver as best I can (there's not a big amount of room to maneuver, esp. since the glass window channel runs right in front of the part I need to bang on. For those of you who know where I am, it's the rotating hinge with a spring attached to it that lifts another lever.

Does anyone have any tricks I can use? I've thought about dismantling the entire tailgate...however, it's a catch22. As far as I can see, I can't remove the glass and channel w/out getting the tailgate open, and it's the glass channel itself which is really in the way of me working that hinge back and forth. I can't really get any kind of a grip on it, and using a screwdriver/hammer combo to punch the hinge to get it to move isn't working.

please help! I'm getting kinda desperate here. I don't think a mechanic would be doing any different than I am, so I'm not inclined to pay someone to work on this. But I'm running out of options....

Author:  sixinthehead [ Mon May 24, 2004 10:33 am ]
Post subject: 

I've never been inside one, so I'm shooting in the dark; better stand back :shock: .
Can you put the window up?Once it's up, do you then have more room?
How about put the window up, then cut the center of the channel so you have the access you need? Once you get the gate open, the channel could be removed and put back together.
Same for the inside sheetmetal; you could cut a section out for access, then patch it back on once the gate is open.
Is there a lock that is stuck that's holding the latch closed? I'm guessing the lock is in the handle, not the latch, so that's probably not it.
That's my best shooting, hope nobody got hurt :?

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