Just went outside to have a look at possible rust following Gremlin500's post

https://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic66565.html

Mine doesn't have anything rusty but I did notice this....

Click image to enlarge

Yes, thats one of the two I replaced with painted ones, got genuine LR galvanised bolts and an expensive can of Corris Grey, 3 light coats. Looks like somebody was totally heavy-handed there! “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” -where’s the fun in that?

That little rose-joint needs sorting too, those have zero protection and rust horribly. “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” -where’s the fun in that?

The split is not due to someone overtightening it, it flexis every time it's used and mine has split the alloy...

I'll sort the bolts and other rust when I do it...  Pete

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2014 L405 Autobiography SDV8 4.4 Loire Blue Ebony interior
2011 L322 Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8 Baltic Blue. Parchment over Navy Interior. Sold
2012 L322 Autobiography 5.0 Supercharged Ipanema Sand, Jet Interior. Sold
2002 L322 Vogue 4.4 V8 Epson Green, Ivory over Aspen Interior (Fatty Offroader) Sold
-Click for Project Fatty off roader-

Mine’s looking ok, but I’m wondering if it’s worth a large washer to help spread the load?

I’d be interested in seeing some pictures when you dissemble it, I presume the back of its quite a large plate.

Click image to enlarge

Doesn't look like there is any plate behind it, lean in and press the close button and see how much it flexes...

I would say a large square stainless repair washer would help...  Pete

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2014 L405 Autobiography SDV8 4.4 Loire Blue Ebony interior
2011 L322 Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8 Baltic Blue. Parchment over Navy Interior. Sold
2012 L322 Autobiography 5.0 Supercharged Ipanema Sand, Jet Interior. Sold
2002 L322 Vogue 4.4 V8 Epson Green, Ivory over Aspen Interior (Fatty Offroader) Sold
-Click for Project Fatty off roader-

Yup, just had a play in the slinging rain at the end of a dog walk and I think I can see a little bit of a flex couldn’t make my mind up if it was flexing or I was thinking about it that much I’m seeing things!

Either way I think I’ll have that bolt out and fit a larger washer to spread the load. The bolts look like the could be long enough to accommodate one behind the standard washer.

I've done this as a temp repair, stainless washers and a replacement stainless flange head bolt... When it gets warmer I'll play some more...!!

The lower tailgate didn't always open properly, maybe 80% of the time, now it works just as it should all the time.

It had a new lower tailgate mechanism a short while ago under JLR warranty, I guess the fitter didn't notice a 2" split in the bodywork, or couldn't be bothered...

Working well now though....

Click image to enlarge