Rusted tailgate straps

[rar110]

Today's job was to replace the straps for the lower tailgate, which were both very rusted and one recently broke. I sourced a pair of straps from Austral LR Brisbane whose pick up price was about $52each, which is the same as eBay prices including delivery. The left and right strap has an identical part no of LR038051.

Removing the bolts for the old straps required T45 bit, the new part had 13mm bolt head. A very easy job. I coated the new part with lanolin to reduce the risk of rust. Here's some pics. 104067

[rar110]

104068

[rar110]

104069

[Homestar]

I probably need to check mine if this is a common fault. Do you live near the ocean or is this something that happens to all of these over time?

[rar110]

Gav
It's very easy to push the cap aside to look. Also I would take the opportunity to spray some protection in there.

I think it occurs as water drains down there. I live on the coast, but have only owned it for a year.

It's a common problem in the uk by the looks.

[p38arover]

Gav, have a look at fullfatrr.com - View topic - tailgate straps (http://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic12664.html)

and http://www.aulro.com/afvb/p38a-range-rover/219560-check-tailgate-cables.html

[Blade74]

I just replaced one of mine only last week.
I also sprayed it with lanolin spray.
Great minds think alike!!!

[rar110]

I just replaced one of mine only last week. I also sprayed it with lanolin spray. Great minds think alike!!!

Did the replaced strap fail? What's the other strap like?

[Blade74]

No it hadn't failed but I figure it would fail sometime in the next year.
The other one had some light surface rust. I've sprayed it with lanolin and will keep an eye on it.

[Blade74]

104344

That's the one I removed. I couldn't even pull the rubber boot all the way back.

[rar110]

That's the one I removed. I couldn't even pull the rubber boot all the way back.

I just inverted the cup.

[Blade74]

I just mean it was so stuck to the cable it was hard to pull back