Tailgating an MG ZR

After several weeks of the occasional ‘boot open’ light displaying on the dash and the embarrassment of shutting the boot three or four times at Tesco before actually catching properly, it was obviously time to address this annoying problem on the ZR. Initially, before a full inspection, it was thought to be a fault with the catch. Finding out that the catch was one of the few MG parts that are currently not available led to a much closer inspection of the system. There is a trim panel in the lower part of the inside of the rear hatch that covers the locking mechanism. Once the two fixing screws of the trim panel are removed it’s possible to prise the trim panel off from the tailgate. You will need to take care with this procedure as being too rough can lead to snapping the locating clips.

1. Hatchback hitch, when the catch fails to hold the tailgate shut

2. Undo two Philips screws

3. Unclip the cover, care must be taken to avoid damaging the locating clips

4. Remove cover

5. First the locating catch is lubricated

Once the panel is off it reveals the inner workings of the latch, and the push release button along with the rear wiper motor and washers. Initial thoughts were still focusing on the latch so this was unbolted and removed from the tailgate. With the two bolts removed you can push the catch back in to the tailgate and remove the release cable and two electrical connectors. The whole assembly was then lubricated and manually ‘played with’ which confirmed all worked correctly and therefore the fault must lie elsewhere.

Next on the suspect list was the operating cable that links the push button release to the catch. This checked out to be free but during the inspection the reasons for the catch fault were found. When pressing in the release button it pushes against a lever which in turn pulls on the cable and releases the catch. The pivot point of the lever had corroded, as can be seen in the images. As a result the return spring for this lever was unable to push hard enough to overcome the extra friction this corrosion had caused, and therefore the lever was not returning to the correct position to allow the boot catch to hold the boot shut tight.

6. As no improvement was found, the catch is removed completely for a thorough clean

7. Corrosion on the pivot point had caused the lever to stick and the latch wouldn’t close

8. After cleaning the catch closed properly

9. Extra application of lubricant to protect against further corrosion

10. Hatch secure once more

Careful lubrication and thorough cleaning of the lever and pivot resolved the problem and the return spring was then checked to ensure it was in the correct position. After freeing up, the operation of the catch was checked, using a screwdriver as the closing pin to ensure correct operation. There is nothing more frustrating than to shut a boot, bonnet or door only to find it shuts OK but then will not reopen.

Once we were happy that all was well some white Lithium grease was applied for a more long term lubricant and the trim panel replaced. Hopefully this will result in no more embarrassing moments in the supermarket car park.