rear tailgate mechanism

[Spider2]

Off to the Italian lakes in June and the rear tailgate opening/closing mechanism is broken......again. I have had the motor professionally rebuilt and that's fine but it was always notchy in operation but now does not work for more than a couple of seconds. After a lot of dismantling and re-assembly i have finally found the problem to be the drive cog in the little gearbox at the bottom. It engages with the worm drive from the motor. this cog is 1960's plastic and it has cracked and distorted one tooth. When this tooth arrives at the worm it jams. Reverse and its fine until the dodgy tooth meets the worm again.
If I cannot find a spare or someone to repair it I may well try a fix by filling the bad tooth with epoxy and filing a new groove.
I would like to hear from others who may have had this problem and maybe someone has got an old mechanism in a drawer in the garage???
BTW it is from a Series 1 Sport. I know the series 2 had a different motor but am not sure about the mechanism.
Help, can't cruise Lakes Gard and Orta with the tailgate closed... Not cool.

[Dave Gee]

   

   Have a look at hpc gears they manufacture small plastic gears that are not expensive when I used them in the past
   

  catalogue on line at www.hpc-gears.co.uk

    Dave Gee

[Spider2]

Thanks David, had a look at their web site and I think a good chance they can help. Will give them a call tomorrow.