removal and replacement of rear tailgate door Galaxy 2003 ghia TDi

[biker01]

Help please: looking to replace unusually badly rusted rear tailgate door.
How easily can the door be detached?
I have had the door apart to repair the large reflector that is right across the back of this model so know a little.
How easy is it to get a second hand door with glass still in?
Any particular difficulties I should look out for.

[insanitybeard]

I've never seen a Mk2 model with the large reflector unit you refer to fitted on the tailgate, to the best of my knowledge that was only fitted to the Mk1! Is it definitely the original tailgate?!

Here's a Mk1 tailgate

And here's a Mk2- there's usually a few like this on  for not silly money, some sellers will send them via courier but bear in mind there's a high risk of damage in transit.

[biker01]

Hi Thanks for the clarification, obviously I didn't get the Mark number right. It is a Mark 1.
Thanks for the links to E Bay, I didn't realise that E bay covered car parts. I was going to go for Breakeryard website.
Sorry not to have replied sooner.
Any particular complications about exchanging doors? Looks to me like there are decent nuts to undo to release the door hinges from its mounts: just need to keep track of the electrics. Are all of the mark 1 parts (wiper and lights the same as for the Sharan [if a sharan door turns up])?

[insanitybeard]

I'm not sure about the Mk1 but I'm sure the Mk2 Galaxy tailgate is physically different to the Sharan and Alhambra (different shape number plate lamp housing and possibly fog/reverse lamp cluster housings) so they're not directly interchangeable, so be careful.

As for removal, yes, disconnect all the electrical wiring and washer pipes first, as for the hinges I'd imagine it'd be easier to remove the tailgate complete with hinges by removing* the nut that holds the hinge plate to the body via a stud (though it looks like the headlining may need to be lowered at the back to access this), and then with the tailgate up, and an assistant supporting the tailgate from underneath disconnect the tailgate rams and lift the tailgate clear- make sure the assistant is prepared- I expect it's a heavy old lump!

*-Don't fully remove the nut until you are prepared to lift the tailgate clear!

[biker01]

thanks  for the advice> will start looking for good replacement.