Warped tailgate issue after hauling load

[CT_AZ_4x4]

I prefer not pulling anything off ?

I hear ya!

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[xhawk101]

Wow that sucks! Sorry that happened! I had to replace my tailgate... about 2k

 

[Travis64]

Mine looks the same just from walking on it a couple of times

 

[CT_AZ_4x4]

Mine looks the same just from walking on it a couple of times

???

 

[Bill Carlson]

That sucks. Sorry it happened. Let us know what you do to fix it!

Team Tesla CT:
Here's my temporary fix. I took the tailgate shield off and indeed about 1/2"-3/4" crunch on the height of the tailgate. The latch catch won't engage because it is too low. Figuring the latch bracket/capture pin attached to the truck is pretty much expendable, I hacked and drilled into it to allow the lower latching point. Works like a charm now but the gate is still damaged - but not really recognizable (or an eye sore except to me) unless you really look. I'm still keeping my eyes on aftermarkets ($500-1000 with scratches but I have a wrap). Shipping there is the big concern - most soloists won't. A new one would cost $4k and I don't want to waste an insurance claim on this one

. I attached some pics for your viewing pleasure. FYI - door closing adjustment I am SURE could do in a similar way with minor expansions to the holes in the latch bracket.

 

[CT_AZ_4x4]

Team Tesla CT:
Here's my temporary fix. I took the tailgate shield off and indeed about 1/2"-3/4" crunch on the height of the tailgate. The latch catch won't engage because it is too low. Figuring the latch bracket/capture pin attached to the truck is pretty much expendable, I hacked and drilled into it to allow the lower latching point. Works like a charm now but the gate is still damaged - but not really recognizable (or an eye sore except to me) unless you really look. I'm still keeping my eyes on aftermarkets ($500-1000 with scratches but I have a wrap). Shipping there is the big concern - most soloists won't. A new one would cost $4k and I don't want to waste an insurance claim on this one

. I attached some pics for your viewing pleasure. FYI - door closing adjustment I am SURE could do in a similar way with minor expansions to the holes in the latch bracket.

Thanks for taking the time to post that. It could be helpful to anyone similarly situated.

 

[Taildragger]

Help!!! I lightly backed into a 4x4 wood post with the tailgate down. Now the right side of the tailgate needs minor force to close and open. The right hinge is off about 1 degree from square. The left hinge is square. My hypothetical questions is:

Hypothetically, could I bend the hinge back into the correct place by attaching a Come-Along (AKA hand-operated winch) to the right hinge and slowly pull it out one degree without damaging anything else?

Or, is are the hinges adjustable?

Thanks in advance for any advice you may have.

 

[mongo]

Help!!! I lightly backed into a 4x4 wood post with the tailgate down. Now the right side of the tailgate needs minor force to close and open. The right hinge is off about 1 degree from square. The left hinge is square. My hypothetical questions is:

Hypothetically, could I bend the hinge back into the correct place by attaching a Come-Along (AKA hand-operated winch) to the right hinge and slowly pull it out one degree without damaging anything else?

Or, is are the hinges adjustable?

Thanks in advance for any advice you may have.

Have you removed the closeouts to verify what is bent?
Closeouts:
https://service.tesla.com/docs/Cybe...UID-509AEEAC-661B-4651-87F5-5013C0592433.html
tailgate:
https://service.tesla.com/docs/Cybe...UID-FF063878-877C-49EC-BFE0-B51DAEF02984.html

The hinge brackets (#5 & #6) are available at
https://parts.tesla.com/en-US/catal...eference=af41ff7f-ba1f-42f8-850f-01d57753e451

 

[Bill Carlson]

Have you removed the closeouts to verify what is bent?
Closeouts:
https://service.tesla.com/docs/Cybe...UID-509AEEAC-661B-4651-87F5-5013C0592433.html
tailgate:
https://service.tesla.com/docs/Cybe...UID-FF063878-877C-49EC-BFE0-B51DAEF02984.html

The hinge brackets (#5 & #6) are available at
https://parts.tesla.com/en-US/catal...eference=af41ff7f-ba1f-42f8-850f-01d57753e451

I backed into a tree similarly to what you did. My tailgate actually bent a bit . I posted pictures on a previous thread on what I did with the hinge. You can definately remove the tailgate latch pin and use it to adjust the close. My tailgate closes fine but the one side you can see the top of the tailgate about 1/4" to 1/2" below where it used to be. I'm doubtful you'll be able to straighten any tailgate bending / warping itself with a pull. You can take the inner cover off of the tailgate to see what you are going to be looking at .

 

[Taildragger]

My CT has a non-motorized tailgate. A few more questions:

1. I wonder if the hinges would be able to be bent back, insitu?

2. Do the hinges get their strength from the rear giga-casting?

 

[PungoteagueDave]

My CT has a non-motorized tailgate. A few more questions:

1. I wonder if the hinges would be able to be bent back, insitu?

2. Do the hinges get their strength from the rear giga-casting?

How did you get a non motorized tailgate? They all have the motorized closing, at least up to the RWD model.

 

[Bill Carlson]

How did you get a non motorized tailgate? They all have the motorized closing, at least up to the RWD model.

I was going to ask the same thing... The tailgate closes but there is a motorized clasp-finish/retention. If that won't finish you get a msg on your mainscreen. That happened to me after my incident prior to me re-working the tailgate latch pin.

 

[bg002h]

Not sure yet if I'm going to just live with it or fix. Just had my cyber tent installed so will be a while before I have to go in for service. Won't be any fighting about it. There's no way I would expect Tesla to cover this.

It sounds to me like you tried to use it as a truck. You can’t do that. Just like you can’t let the tonneau cover get dusty, cause that will cause it to fail and they don’t cover that either (or so I’m told…mines just busted and I haven’t bothered seeking help…I think it’s just broken by design so I might as well get used to it).

At least they do replace the failed glue parts!

 

[bg002h]

Lesson learned, stick to a reliable and quality company like Tesla from now on.

The same company that glues everything together and doesn’t let you load sheet material in your bed. Got it.

Tesla does some things amazingly well, but it’s ok to call them out on the mistakes they make with stuff they have no experience with.

 

[yamadirt]

Warning to everyone about hauling items. I was hauling a load of 12 foot composite decking boards today. I made sure that the weight limit was not exceeded, however, since the load shifted, it obviously put too much weight on the tailgate and now the tailgate is warped. Fortunately still shuts but it clearly bent the stainless steel and it now has a gap.


So caution about this possibility. Perhaps I should have known, but alas I was unaware of the potential.

I thought this was supposed to be a work truck. I’m scared haul my dirt bikes on it now. Let me know if anyone has any experiences with dirt bikes on it. I don’t wanna bend the tailgate on mine.

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