Removing my tailgate on a mk3 golf

[tdi_blu]

Hi my tailgate on my 1997 16v mk3 is starting to bubble the painter has said it can be saved but ive managed to locate a tailgate thats the same colour in excellent condition so im thinking ill just buy that as its pretty cheap and swap it over as its complete with the glass,spoiler,etc etc.I have had a gander at mine today and just wondered are they straight forward to change or do i need to drop the headling at the rear ive never changed one before so any advice would be great thanks......

[Horney]

I don't think you need to drop the headlining on a MKIII but I could be wrong. Swapped one on my old MKII and it took about 35 mins, piece of pi55.

nick

[tdi_blu]

Hi the reason i mentioned the headling is when i had a look the actual hinge the tailgate sits on is screwed upto the roof,then there is some funny type bolts that look like they unscrew of the hing.The main hinge bolts look like there under a slim panal that comes across the the edge of the head lining.I dont want to start messing till i get the new tailgate,there is also wires going in both sides of the tailgate in each corner at the top but i didnt notice any plugs etc.Thanks for your reply...

[rob026]

Just replaced the tail gate on mine, is defo easyer with head lining out of the way, makes it easyer to get rachet on bolts, and to get the bolts back in, just be careful with it is pretty delicate, the wires for the tailgate run down the inside of the quater panel and connect under the rear light, best to tape some welding wire or sumthing to them b4 you pull them out to help thred the new ones back through, will save a head ache for sure, is a straight forward job though easyer with 2 pairs of hands, and while the head linings out is a perfect time to give it a scrub have fun.
Oh and the hose for the central locking runs down the drivers side quarter panel, carefull with the connector by the rear light the hose is quite brittle will was on mine anyway.

[Len]

You should also have a water pipe for the washer

[tdi_blu]

Thxs rob for the info when you said about the headlining do i have to drop the whole lot or as i have noticed just the bit at the back theres like a panel that runs along the edge thanks again...

[rob026]

you could probs just drop the back , but you have to remove most of the trim around the edge to get a decent amount of space to get your tools in, I only took it right out as didnt want the risk of damaging it, and you cant get to the bolts just by taking the rear bit of trim out unfortunatly, if you remove the trim between b pillar and tailgate will give you enough space would have thought, just be carefull headlining dosent crease in middle 

[tdi_blu]

Thxs Rob for the advise I was banking on being the winning bidder on a tailgate on ebay but I was well outbid and it ended up going for £38 and with me picking it up petrol would have owed me about £55 so I have just decided to let the painter do it in the price with the rest of the paint work im having done but  Thxs again for your help......

[Splash]

I'm in a similar dilemma. I have a new tailgate but it has no hinges attached. Isn't it easier just to unscrew the weird 'screws' leaving the hinges on the car and not have to drop the headlining? Any advice welcome - cheers.