[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!

[ryan stewart]

The shocks? Mine wasnt what I would call stiff but it would take a decent effort to open because the shocks arent assisting you. New shocks and it about takes your head off once you get it a foot open.

[weastman]

New struts have now been ordered, hopefully this will improve things.

However the glass-tailgate itself is stiff to open which makes me think that the struts alone wont solve it, maybe stiff 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.

[nsjames]

the glass is hinged off the gate, everything hinges off the gate hinges.

sounds to me like yours is fine and just needs new lift struts.
the reason it lifts better with the glass open is because you're changing the CG of the gate. You've already got 20lbs of glass passed the hinges by the time you've lifted it halfway.

[MysticRob]

Check for interference of dead hooker appendages.
Or the struts.

[07lilredwagon]

Originally Posted by nsjames

the glass is hinged off the gate, everything hinges off the gate hinges.

sounds to me like yours is fine and just needs new lift struts.
the reason it lifts better with the glass open is because you're changing the CG of the gate. You've already got 20lbs of glass passed the hinges by the time you've lifted it halfway.

yes, this.

I changed mine a while back and it did wonders for the operation of the gate and glass, ect.

keeping the hinges clean and corrosion free helps a ton, too....you are doing that already.

watch for rust under the plastic trim pieces running along the sides of the gate......

JP

[Fritzer]

New hydraulic lift struts is what you need to fix your issue, they wear out in strength over time. Lubricate the mechanism after install as well. Shouldn't be a major job.

[weastman]

Have now replaced the struts but still seem stiff, stops halfway and needs a hand to make it to the top.
Thinking that the glass-tailgate hinges are limiting it.
Is there any fix other than replacing the hinges?
Seems extreme.

[MysticRob]

Originally Posted by weastman

Have now replaced the struts but still seem stiff, stops halfway and needs a hand to make it to the top.
Thinking that the glass-tailgate hinges are limiting it.
Is there any fix other than replacing the hinges?
Seems extreme.

Using BMW struts or some cheap knock-off?

[nsjames]

part 29
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...diagId=41_1684

the glass and the tailgate pivot on the exact same point. It's not a trivial thing to pull the hinges, you will have to remove the glass and the gate.
I suggest you keep it lubed and deal with it, or sign yourself up for taking it all apart to service or replace them.

[Vantagemech]

Ive had exactly the same issue - though came to a head this afternoon when I went to close the tailgate while out shopping.
There was a loud knock and the tailgate dropped immediately.
The symptoms were stiff tailgate and rear glass popped but not a free motion when opening.
The sprung loaded shaft in the R/H hinge had seized and resulted in the splined pin that attaches it to the glass's hinge came out, bending the arm it was attached to.
I would hazard a guess that this is the same issue as the OP is having - I also looked at penetrating oil with a little direct heat,but mine is too far gone as I noticed the housing the pin went in was now oval so another hinge is required.

Hopefully no too big a pain to change. Been a pricey year with new tyres, rear dampers, rear pads, 6 x coils, vanos solenoids, water pump and t/stat, and a windscreen!
To be fair no-one said they were cheap !!

[Greyfox]

Open the tailgate fully and use some graphite or lithium grease spray on the hinges.

Because of the aerodynamics on wagons, a lot of dirt and dust gets pulled back up under the tailgate into the hinge area.