Tailgate Hinge

[MrSchaeferPants]

So as I'm painting and will be reassembling the tailgate soon, I was wondering about any bushing it might had, so I searched it, and found a post talking about factory hinges were metal/metal contact. So I figured I might put some grease in there, it'll help for a little while anyway.

But I was wondering would it be beneficial to put some kinda plastic, vinyl, or rubber inbetween, if it'll fit. It's a close fit, as it was metal/metal from the factory, so I was thinking of some thin vinyl or rubber mat type material, and gluing it on. Dunno if it'll be worth my while, make it better, lead to corrosion, or what. Or since it's a tailgate, and doesn't get moved too often, would the paint be just fine for a few years.

[eightbanger]

Originally Posted by MrSchaeferPants

So as I'm painting and will be reassembling the tailgate soon, I was wondering about any bushing it might had, so I searched it, and found a post talking about factory hinges were metal/metal contact. So I figured I might put some grease in there, it'll help for a little while anyway.

But I was wondering would it be beneficial to put some kinda plastic, vinyl, or rubber inbetween, if it'll fit. It's a close fit, as it was metal/metal from the factory, so I was thinking of some thin vinyl or rubber mat type material, and gluing it on. Dunno if it'll be worth my while, make it better, lead to corrosion, or what. Or since it's a tailgate, and doesn't get moved too often, would the paint be just fine for a few years.

I reckon adding anything in there would definately help create corrosion probs, also help trap debris in there, that's if you use your truck to haul anything. I took my tailgate off a couple of days ago and just cleaned the loose dirt out of the sockets and applied some grease....they work great, quiet and smooth.

[MrSchaeferPants]

Yeah I haul in it. Figured nasty stuff might get built up in the grease too. But I suppose grease can always be wiped off and replaced. Thanks!

[eightbanger]

Me too, so I just smeared a light amount on both surfaces incase it attracted a lot of crud in there.