The locking mechanism in my S212 tailgate..

[Conor]

So guys,

Quick one here. I have the electronic tailgate in my S212 where you can lock the car by touching the button.

It has worked flawlessly up to the other day.. now it's failing to electronically latch about 60-70% of the time.. I need to give it a nudge shut to latch with my hand on those occasions...

Is there a spray lubricant fix for this.. or do I need to start sizing up my piggy bank for a replacement. I expect the latter, but here's hoping, heh!

Thank you for your time

 

[sl500amgsport]

So guys,

Quick one here. I have the electronic tailgate in my S212 where you can lock the car by touching the button.

It has worked flawlessly up to the other day.. now it's failing to electronically latch about 60-70% of the time.. I need to give it a nudge shut to latch with my hand on those occasions...

Is there a spray lubricant fix for this.. or do I need to start sizing up my piggy bank for a replacement. I expect the latter, but here's hoping, heh!

Thank you for your time

You could try soaking the hinges in oil in case the boot is sticking as it reaches the latch, failing that you may need a new latch, part should be around £130, a good independent should supply and fit under £200.

Sent from my SM-G988B using Tapatalk

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

Yes definitely lube the hinges and ball joint on the end of the actuator - I find 5W-30 engine oil best and do persevere as the hinges are tight

 

[Blobcat]

Yes definitely lube the hinges and ball joint on the end of the actuator - I find 5W-30 engine oil best and do persevere as the hinges are tight

Is that 229.5, 229.51 or 229.52?

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

Is that 229.5, 229.51 or 229.52?

Definitely an opportunity fo market some ’special tailgate lube’ here

 

[Conor]

Thanks guys..

I do remember that talk before of "soaking" the hinges in oil.. how does one do that, considering the angles etc and how thick 5w30 is (as opposed to spray oil).

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

All I do is lubricate the hinges with the tailgate shut between the roof and tailgate shut line, you can see where to squirt the lube, leave it to soak and mop up the excess next time the tailgate is opened.

I might market the lube 250ml for £1.50 posted lol

 

[Conor]

@malcolm210 Thanks for this. I must admit to not having done this..

Today, I was faced a bigger issue.

When I got to open the tailgate the door would latch and the hinge on the left would squeak/grind... or perhaps that was the motor... anyway the door wouldn't open at all.

I need to get on this.

 

[Conor]

Ok... just sprayed some WD-40 on the hinge and at least it opened.

I know, I know.. not a lubricant but we always have it to hands so it get's a lash.

I need to look into fixing this up properly. Will try and figure out a way to get some 5w-40 into it..

In the past was it lithium or silicon grease I read about putting in there (and furniture polish was also suggested).

 

[LostKiwi]

Never use silicon as a lubricant on metal parts.
For metal parts use molybdenum grease if possible. To get oil into a small space use the good old squirty oil gun.

Laser 0239 Oil Can 500cc https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0012M9FYW/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_WGBYGP58FA50TWPTE1AW

For grease something like this:
Weldtite TF2 grease gun https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B007S8QUOC/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_01A59T741B7MJ8TPG8XW

 

[Conor]

Never use silicon as a lubricant on metal parts.
For metal parts use molybdenum grease if possible. To get oil into a small space use the good old squirty oil gun.

Laser 0239 Oil Can 500cc https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0012M9FYW/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_WGBYGP58FA50TWPTE1AW

For grease something like this:
Weldtite TF2 grease gun https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B007S8QUOC/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_01A59T741B7MJ8TPG8XW

Ok, cool, I need to get myself one of those cans.

So for this hinge area, I don't think grease is a runner, really (to awkward)

What oil do lads usually put in those squirty things? Just engine oil?

 

[LostKiwi]

I use engine oil. Easy to apply and stays put reasonably well. Just be careful not to overdo it and get it on the headlining.

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

^ +1

 

[Conor]

Ok guys... maybe the oil solved it.

But literally (literally!) the day I collected the €100 euro locking mechanism from MB Dealer the hatch started closing properly again and has been largely flawless since. Only hiccup was one morning it was freezing.

Sods law, well at least I have a backup part anyway.

 

[Conor]

So I added some engine oil, with the little can thing today. I went to open it the other day and it had the usual grinding sound instead of opening (Then opened fine).

So....

I removed the trim to get better access. Added some oil, opened/closed a few times.. then more oil. Repeat a few times, and clean up the overflow.

I feel like it's placebo now, but I like to think it sounds like it's running smoother.

 

[Wighty]

In that last picture , does that plastic hinge cover pop off to expose more stuff to oil ?

 

[Conor]

In that last picture , does that plastic hinge cover pop off to expose more stuff to oil ?

I tried but wasn't sure, and didn't want to force it. I think most of the moving part is lower down.

It does look like it comes off though.. Let's see how this plays out and I might re-visit. Thanks.

 

[mioba]

looks like it clips out from the bottom tbf.

good stuff with the oil can. i thought I was old fashioned having one. Had mine for 30 years.

 

[Conor]

looks like it clips out from the bottom tbf.

good stuff with the oil can. i thought I was old fashioned having one. Had mine for 30 years.

Ha yes, I was so excited to be able to put it to use.

I must have another look at it. Thanks.

 

[goldy]

I used "Muc Off' dry oil bike lube on mine. Works a treat