Sealing the liftgate hinge bolts

[Jim Oaks]

When I removed my liftgate doing bodywork, I removed it by the single hinge bolts going down in to the body as seen in the diagram below:

Didn't think about having to mess with realigning it. It just seemed easier removing it this way by myself.

Anyways, I'm putting it back on now and know I have to seal it to prevent leaking. It had a caulk type material around the base of the bolt and on the nut. I was wondering if I can seal this with seam sealer when I bolt it back on.

 

[The Jester Race]

Silicon. Apply it like a gasket to the bottom of the hinge(like a diff cover or something) assemble, but don't tighten, let set up for 20-30 minutes, then tighten. Then apply a liberal amount to/around the nut. That's what we do at work, bolts, rivets, hinges. People tend to bitch when they have water inside of their toolboxes.

-Jester

 

[adsm08]

It was originally sealed with a clear silicone RTV. TA-32 I think. That's what I'd use.