My tailgate bushings?

[GreasemonkeySC]

Did the MJ tailgate have a plastic bushing in the hinge? I know mine does not, and the hinges are very loose.

If I go through the process, would anyone be interested? I can as easily make 1 set, as I can make 20.

[Strokermjcomanche]

No plastic bushings were in from the factory 

[JMO413]

I would definitely be interested. Mine is very loose and annoying!

[GreasemonkeySC]

I'll try to get a few sets made over the next week or so, and test out the thickness.
My goal is to take up some of the slack, and stop the tailgate from being so clunky in it's mounts.

[AZJeff]

4 hours ago, GreasemonkeySC said:

 

Did the MJ tailgate have a plastic bushing in the hinge? I know mine does not, and the hinges are very loose.

If I go through the process, would anyone be interested? I can as easily make 1 set, as I can make 20.

 

I would LOVE a set of bushings.  My tailgate rattles like hell.

 

 I cannot believe there were no bushings from the factory.  The metal on metal squeaks like all get out, and is constantly rusty.

 

Also, the "double D" shaped lug on the bed suggests that something filled the space on the flats, and I am betting its some plastic piece.

[PIKE]

What about the rubber bumpers at the top? Mine are too thin and my tail gate rattles back and forth up there too.

[GreasemonkeySC]

What about the rubber bumpers at the top? Mine are too thin and my tail gate rattles back and forth up there too.

I've seen those in the help section at the parts stores. They will be a universal set of rubber stops.

[HOrnbrod]

On 10/21/2018 at 10:05 PM, AZJeff said:

I would LOVE a set of bushings.  My tailgate rattles like hell.

 

 I cannot believe there were no bushings from the factory.  The metal on metal squeaks like all get out, and is constantly rusty.

 

Believe it - there were no bushings. A quick fix would be to order a short length of 2" -  2-1/4" adhesive shrink tubing caps like THESE and trim/shrink one around each of the male pins of the tailgate hinges. It may have to be replaced every other year or so depending on how much you open/close it, but it'll make it quiet riding on a cushioned surface.

 

EDIT:  Just ordered a couple of caps. Will post up when installed.

 

 

[GreasemonkeySC]

I was going to actually zip some bushings out of HDPE, or similar.
High density plastic should take a considerable amount of time to wear out.

[AZJeff]

16 hours ago, HOrnbrod said:

 

Believe it - there were no bushings. A quick fix would be to order a short length of 2" -  2-1/4" adhesive shrink tubing caps like THESE and trim/shrink one around each of the male pins of the tailgate hinges. It may have to be replaced every other year or so depending on how much you open/close it, but it'll make it quiet riding on a cushioned surface.

 

EDIT:  Just ordered a couple of caps. Will post up when installed.

 

 

I purchased a set of bushings for a Ford pickup, and am modifying them to fit the MJ.   We can compare notes when I am done.

[Articul8]

any more R&D going on about this

 

[GreasemonkeySC]

I've got some delrin & phenolic to choose from. I made some measurements, but it's been busy at work, so no I've not had time to write a program for the CNC machine.

Not forgotten. I think about it every time I open the gate.

[AZJeff]

I made a set from some very large self-adhesive heat shrink tubing from my local hardware store.   They work quite well.

 

i would expect the solution proposed by "HOrnbrod" would work quite nicely.

[jamespwsullivan]

I'm interested in a set of these if you're making a list.

[amsuco]

2 hours ago, jamespwsullivan said:

I'm interested in a set of these if you're making a list.

Same here.  I'd rather spend more money for something that will last longer.

[SenorT]

Any suggestions on lubing the moving parts for the tailgate latch? Have used WD40 in the past but wondering if there's something better.

[Pete M]

27 minutes ago, SenorT said:

Any suggestions on lubing the moving parts for the tailgate latch? Have used WD40 in the past but wondering if there's something better.

 

WD40 eats paint over time.    I prefer a spray lithium grease.   

[JMO413]

White lithium grease in my go to 

[gogmorgo]

Penetrating oils aren't awful for quick squeak hunting but for long-term lube the thin oils tend to run off. 

I've also used lithium grease with success. Dry graphite sprays work great too. 

[Chukkklez]

I am 100% interested in buying some tailgate bushings off of you when/if you get around to making them!!

[89 MJ]

@Dzimm, is this something you could make?

[rokinn]

I've been using Magic Lube with good success.  Teflon based lube, water proof and wide temp range.  Slightly cheaper at Home Despot. 

 

https://www.amazon.com/Aladdin-Magic-Teflon-Lubricant-Sealant/dp/B008GTWE8I

[Dzimm]

21 hours ago, 89 MJ said:

@Dzimm, is this something you could make?

I could easily make something but I don't know what longevity would be like.  I could certainly make some from TPU and some from PETG and see how they work but I wouldn't make any guarantees on how long they'd last.

 

There are engineering plastics That are much better suited for this application such as PVX or Delrin but they are extremely expensive and would need to be milled out.  A good solution for now is the heat shrink tube as mentioned above or coating with lithium grease but that could be messy.

[Pete M]

are we just talking about the tailgate pivots?  what about just buying a sheet of thin tephlon and cutting a strip to wrap around the pivots?

[watchamakalit]

8 hours ago, Pete M said:

are we just talking about the tailgate pivots?  what about just buying a sheet of thin tephlon and cutting a strip to wrap around the pivots?

What sort of retention method would you suggest?  Would there be and issue with something like that walking out over time and use?