Does anyone sell lift gate hinge grommets?

[jfalesi]

I need the ones that go in the hatch cover and the ones that go into the body.

Are they the same as Blazer grommets? Classic Parts has those.

http://www.classicparts.com/1969-72-.../#.VlKhsHarQQ8

Thanks!

-Jamie

[Bigdav160]

I called and asked. They said the Blazer one's fit.

I haven't tried to install them yet.

[jfalesi]

Cool, thanks! I'll have to order a pair and try them out. The ones on the body might be different though - I haven't been able to get them off yet to see :-)

[jfalesi]

Originally Posted by Bigdav160

I called and asked. They said the Blazer one's fit.

I haven't tried to install them yet.

I called them today and they said the Blazer ones won't fit. Then I noticed that GMC Paul has them on his website, part number 4188799. http://www.gmcpauls.com/Suburban_-_Panel.htm. I have an email into him to see if they are the same as the hinge-to-body seals. I need the hinge-to-hatch and hinge-to-body seals.

I think leakage at the hinge-to-hatch seal is the main reason the hatches all rot out at the bottom. When I took the skin off mine, the inner shell was pretty much a disaster along the bottom seam. The instructor of the auto body class I'm taking thinks that grinding off the rust and then using Panel Bond (3M 8115) to fill the holes is the way to go. I tried welding the holes closed, but they're big enough and I'm inexperienced enough that I just made them bigger :-)

[jfalesi]

Originally Posted by jfalesi

I called them today and they said the Blazer ones won't fit. Then I noticed that GMC Paul has them on his website, part number 4188799. http://www.gmcpauls.com/Suburban_-_Panel.htm. I have an email into him to see if they are the same as the hinge-to-body seals. I need the hinge-to-hatch and hinge-to-body seals.

I think leakage at the hinge-to-hatch seal is the main reason the hatches all rot out at the bottom. When I took the skin off mine, the inner shell was pretty much a disaster along the bottom seam. The instructor of the auto body class I'm taking thinks that grinding off the rust and then using Panel Bond (3M 8115) to fill the holes is the way to go. I tried welding the holes closed, but they're big enough and I'm inexperienced enough that I just made them bigger :-)

Update - they're not the same as the hinge-to-body seals. Does anyone know if Suburban liftgate hinge-to-body seals are available?

Thanks,
-Jamie

[Bigdav160]

Can you post any pics of your gate repair?

I've have to do the same and I haven't seen any threads on someone attempting this repair.

I wish someone would make a skin for the tail gate and hatch

[jfalesi]

Originally Posted by Bigdav160

Can you post any pics of your gate repair?

I've have to do the same and I haven't seen any threads on someone attempting this repair.

I wish someone would make a skin for the tail gate and hatch

Yes, I will post some pics after the holiday. The hatch is at the school, and we don't have class until next Thursday.

However, I do not recommend removing the hatch skin the way I did. I went to town with a pry bar and a dremel and distorted the heck out of the skin. Here's some pics of the damage, both from rust and owner-induced.

Later, I found some websites describing how to modify a pair of tile nippers to peel back the skin lip without damaging the skin. I made a pair but haven't tried them out yet. If you Google skin removal tool, you'll find some good info. Also invest in a spot weld removal drill bit. They're $5 at Harbor Freight.

[Bigdav160]

Thanks. I have plenty of experience with the spot weld cutters. I once turned a '63 C10 into a big window cab. I think I cut a thousand spot welds out of each cab interior to swap the sheet metal.

[jfalesi]

Originally Posted by Bigdav160

Thanks. I have plenty of experience with the spot weld cutters. I once turned a '63 C10 into a big window cab. I think I cut a thousand spot welds out of each cab interior to swap the sheet metal.

Them little buggers are worth their weight in gold.

[jfalesi]

Originally Posted by Bigdav160

Thanks. I have plenty of experience with the spot weld cutters. I once turned a '63 C10 into a big window cab. I think I cut a thousand spot welds out of each cab interior to swap the sheet metal.

Which cutters do you use? The Harbor Freight ones are probably good for about 50 or so.

These seem to be pretty well regarded on Amazon.

Amazon.com: Blair 11096 Cutter Set: Automotive

[notchbackgta]

The Blair spot cutters are awesome. Stay straight and keep the speed low and they will last a long time. I also bought two of their other kits, the larger hole cutter and the expanded selection of the smaller I think 1/4 up to 7/8 or something.

I bought a metal roof plier to also take the skin off my hatch in the future. I will have to modify it slightly since it is a little larger than I thought and wont get into the seam like I thought. It has a notch to put on the edge of the panel and then has an edge that comes in perpendicular to the notch. The notch supports the panel so you don't distort the sheet too much, if at all