RE: [ihc] (TIP) Anyone's tail/lift gate latches squeak

["Tom Reed" <treed@xxxxxxx>]

Hello David,

After using these for a month and a half here are my results. On my original
installation I used a hair dryer to shrink the tube and it was not hot
enough. So I ended up redoing 3 of the latches with a butane lighter to
shrink them. Since then no problems.

I am very happy with the results, but I would expect to redo the tubes every
3 to 6 months depending on the roads you drive. I have 1.5 miles of dirt
drive way with a steep wash boarded hill so it takes a lot of pounding.

The submersible well pump splice kits are found near the electrical supplies
at the ACE store I went to. Just ask the helpful hardware ma..er..person.

There are LOTS of other sources for squeaks and rattles in the tail/lift
gates. I've gotten mine silent (no kidding it is possible) and the Scout
sounds and rides solid. If you or anyone else is interested I'll go over the
whole process.

Tom Reed

-----Original Message-----
From: Okiebinder [mailto:okiebinder@domain.elided] 
Sent: Wednesday, October 20, 2004 9:59 AM
To: Tom Reed
Subject: RE: [ihc] (TIP) Anyone's tail/lift gate latches squeak

Tom,

Thanks for the tip on this.  I am thinking of trying this on my Scout.

How has it worked so far?  Where in the store did you find these kits? ...
pond and landscaping?

I have tried almost everything else with poor results.  Looking forward to
giving this one a shot.
Thanks for your help and update.
David

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-ihc@domain.elided [mailto:owner-ihc@domain.elided]On Behalf Of Tom
Reed
Sent: Sunday, August 01, 2004 8:32 PM
To: ihc@domain.elided
Subject: [ihc] (TIP) Anyone's tail/lift gate latches squeak


Mine did!!! I've tried everything lithium grease, synthetic grease, surgical
rubber hose over the latch striker. I've also tried Tri flow with Teflon,
silicone, and some special stuff for car doors. Some things worked for a
while but never very long. I think I"vet finally found a long term solution.
Today I went to the hardware store and got a splice kit for a submersible
well pump for $4.25. The kit includes 3 pieces of very heavy duty glue lined
heat shrink tube.

First I cleaned the latch forks (on the tail and lift gates) and then placed
a short piece of the heat shrink the side of the fork that does the holding
closed and shrunk it down until the glue oozed out. The latches now shut a
little tighter and on the first test up and down our road, there were no
squeaks or rattles at all. Only one piece of tube did all 4 latches so it
only cost about a buck. I'll report back with results in about a month or
so.

Also the copper header gaskets are working out very well. I did some hard
towing with them and they just seem to seal better and better with time and
usage.

Tom Reed