Unusual problem on Tourer

operamagorum · 8th August 2018, 18:17

Hi all
Recently my Spigot ball on the gas strut sheared off completely and fell, with a chunk of bodywork, behind the panel and wing.
I was stuck at the local park, with dogs already in the car. Tried to tuck the gas strut in to get the tailgate shut. Big mistake! It popped out and damaged the paintwork on the roof. Should have removed the strut completely.
Went to my local garage and the cheapest solution is to leave the original behind the panel and weld on a new fabricated piece with captive nut.
Bought a new spigot ball from Rimmers (at extortionate p&p) and, hopefully it will get sorted tomorrow. Bought new gas struts.
Obviously a stress fracture. There is a small hole which is, I believe, a spot weld from the factory. I checked the other side and there are two. I only mention this because it may turn out to be a common fault and you might wish to check yours for hairline fractures.
I've tried to upload pics, without success, but if anyone requires them I'll happily email.

Cheers
Geoff

Gino · 8th August 2018, 18:29

I've had to have both mine welded up. I got the o/s done a while back before it caused any damage. I should have had the other side done at the same time, but didn't

That went last year taking the light unit out at the same time

trikey · 8th August 2018, 20:23

It is more common than you think, the only bonus of having weak struts is that it wont cause the fracturing!

operamagorum · 8th August 2018, 20:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by trikey

It is more common than you think, the only bonus of having weak struts is that it wont cause the fracturing!

So would you advise having all four points welded at the same time?

Captain Crappycrimp · 8th August 2018, 20:42

Ive had it on a couple of tourers/ZTTs as well.

Phil-Hex · 9th August 2018, 13:33

my previous tourer had had both sides welded previously

operamagorum · 9th August 2018, 13:55

Just got the car back and they have done an amazing job. Just needs a bit of paint and all sorted. They were extremely careful not to over-spray the underseal, so all is hidden beneath the tailgate.

The workshop manager made a point of coming out to the car with me to show me the repair and also to explain about the struts.
Mine had probably been on the car from new (52 plate), and were sort of working in reverse. By this I mean that they needed assistance to lift the tailgate and, from about halfway would drop with a clunk. The new ones don't - the tailgate rises by itself and needs assistance to shut.
He believes that knackered struts caused my problem.
The new struts are great (and cheap) from flea bay
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-x-New-R....c100505.m3226
Cheers
Geoff

Briodyjl01 · 9th August 2018, 15:17

what am i best looking for so this doesnt happen?

operamagorum · 9th August 2018, 15:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Briodyjl01

what am i best looking for so this doesnt happen?

You will need a magnifying glass to check for hairline cracks, If you look above and beneath the spigot, you will see two small factory spot welds which failed on mine. There is a difference of opinion on failure reason - my local garage feels that older, weakened struts are the problem. Trikey seems to feel the opposite.

Either way, it's worth checking them.
If you pm me your email, I'll send over a couple of photos
Cheers
Geoff

operamagorum · 9th August 2018, 16:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Briodyjl01

what am i best looking for so this doesnt happen?

Sorry, forgot to mention............
Older struts tend to rust up at the spigot point, causing more resistance, so worth whipping off your struts and greasing the spigots

8th August 2018, 18:17	#1
operamagorum Loves to post BMW 330i Touring Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Blandford Forum Posts: 378 Thanks: 184 Thanked 159 Times in 89 Posts	Unusual problem on Tourer Hi all Recently my Spigot ball on the gas strut sheared off completely and fell, with a chunk of bodywork, behind the panel and wing. I was stuck at the local park, with dogs already in the car. Tried to tuck the gas strut in to get the tailgate shut. Big mistake! It popped out and damaged the paintwork on the roof. Should have removed the strut completely. Went to my local garage and the cheapest solution is to leave the original behind the panel and weld on a new fabricated piece with captive nut. Bought a new spigot ball from Rimmers (at extortionate p&p) and, hopefully it will get sorted tomorrow. Bought new gas struts. Obviously a stress fracture. There is a small hole which is, I believe, a spot weld from the factory. I checked the other side and there are two. I only mention this because it may turn out to be a common fault and you might wish to check yours for hairline fractures. I've tried to upload pics, without success, but if anyone requires them I'll happily email. Cheers Geoff

8th August 2018, 18:29	#2
Gino Gets stuck in Rover 75 Tourer Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Newmarket Posts: 601 Thanks: 384 Thanked 130 Times in 99 Posts	I've had to have both mine welded up. I got the o/s done a while back before it caused any damage. I should have had the other side done at the same time, but didn't That went last year taking the light unit out at the same time __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] MODS DONE; plenum spyhole, bonnet cable divider block (previous owner), chrome wing mirror covers, gold fan resistor (previous owner), s/s bumper bolts, uprated under tray fittings silicone intercooler hose, Viton O rings, Crofts door finishers, boot badge, wood dash, Phil-t4's magic wand, wood wheel, mk2 repeaters, HK tweeters & Angel eye projectors.

8th August 2018, 20:42	#5
Captain Crappycrimp Gets stuck in Devil car is dead! Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Scarborough Posts: 774 Thanks: 94 Thanked 145 Times in 92 Posts	Ive had it on a couple of tourers/ZTTs as well. __________________ SAVED SO FAR 2003 Le mans Green MG ZTT 1.8T, 2003 MG ZT CDTI BRG, ZT 190 Typhoon, 2001 Rover 75 1.8 Tourer , 2002 solar red MG ZTT 177, 2005 Silver MG ZTT CDTI, 2001 Trophy Blue MG ZT (Early No 131) 160, 2004 XPG MG ZT CDTI. 2004 MG ZT Ignition Blue MG Press car/Pheonix 4 personal car. Rover 75 CDT top spec Cowley car. 2003 MG ZT 190+ white Gold. Couldn't save MG ZT 1.8T XPG 2005 MG ZTT Goodwood Green(Devil car) MY PROJECT 2004 MG ZTT Diesel auto in disappointing grey.

9th August 2018, 15:17	#8
Briodyjl01 Gets stuck in Rover 75 Tourer, Rover 75 Saloon Join Date: May 2018 Location: Castleford Posts: 969 Thanks: 237 Thanked 185 Times in 113 Posts	what am i best looking for so this doesnt happen? __________________ Too many Rovers to count ……

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8th August 2018, 20:23	#3
trikey Premium Trader Rover 75 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Devon Posts: 33,754 Thanks: 8,837 Thanked 14,831 Times in 8,030 Posts	It is more common than you think, the only bonus of having weak struts is that it wont cause the fracturing!

9th August 2018, 13:33	#6
Phil-Hex Gets stuck in Typhoon ZT-T CDTi Bittersweet 135 TF Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Ribble Valley Posts: 672 Thanks: 226 Thanked 141 Times in 117 Posts	my previous tourer had had both sides welded previously

9th August 2018, 13:55	#7
operamagorum Loves to post BMW 330i Touring Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Blandford Forum Posts: 378 Thanks: 184 Thanked 159 Times in 89 Posts	Just got the car back and they have done an amazing job. Just needs a bit of paint and all sorted. They were extremely careful not to over-spray the underseal, so all is hidden beneath the tailgate. The workshop manager made a point of coming out to the car with me to show me the repair and also to explain about the struts. Mine had probably been on the car from new (52 plate), and were sort of working in reverse. By this I mean that they needed assistance to lift the tailgate and, from about halfway would drop with a clunk. The new ones don't - the tailgate rises by itself and needs assistance to shut. He believes that knackered struts caused my problem. The new struts are great (and cheap) from flea bay https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-x-New-R....c100505.m3226 Cheers Geoff