Looking at the nuts I think you could remove them by using a spanner and a pair of mole grips on the un-threaded end of the bolt to prevent it turning.
It may even be the case that the bolts are captive in the bumper, never had them off yet.
Liquid silicone gasket is often far better than thin gaskets for sealing surfaces as gaskets tend to rely on the mating surfaces being reasonably flat whereas silicone will form a gasket which when set the fully fills the gap.
Having seen a couple of drips on a couple of these bolts on my car, I know have an interest in the topic.

Waiiitttt a minue rob. Lol. What is an armature? When I do that to my bottom tailgate it is wet like urs too but I diddnt make much of it. Where are u intending to put on the seal. Will u be taking the bumper off to do this

My understanding of armature is the big metal frame that sites behind the bumper. There is one front and rear. Now what can be seen in my pics might not be the armature ebut whatever it is I would guess that's the cause of the leak. I will just put the silicon/vasoline on without removing the bumper first as I don't know how labour intensive it is to remove. I will just be heavy handed with the goo and make a bloody big seal. If the water stops getting in the boot I will take the bumper off in the spring and do a proper job. From looking at mine there seams to be a rubber gasket or such between the body and black bit. I would guess that's split or perished and causing the leak. [img]http://www.fuelly.com/driver/rob2529/range-rover[img/]
04, 4.4V8, Vogue Oslo Blue with LPG.
"You can sleep in your car, BUT you can't race your house!!!!"

If something can't be fixed with a hammer....... You have yourself an electrical fault!

I still think you will get a better seal tackling the bolt nuts on the inside.
The silicone probably won't stick effectively.
From what I can see the bolts are captive so the nuts should just undo as normal.
In the longer term definitely take the bumper off and either replace the gaskets as origonal or with RTV Silicone.

Hi CG,

Could you do me a favour,

On the driver side in the boot, there is a small compartment on essentially the boot floor of the boot, inside this is just a compartment, however the black insert can be pulled out, if pulled out you can see the boot floor again and looking further towards the back you will see the hole that links inside the mail spaqre well aka the corner wee holes we suspected the leak was from is also on there too.... this was also soaked with water .....


does anyone at all of pics with the bumper off, these would be reallly useful.

I've checked the RHS cubby hole and mine is dry in there.....mine is leaking only on the LHS.

I've coated the area around the bracket on the outside with grease in an attempt to see if that makes any difference. I just coated it liberally and quickly.

If that helps I'll take the bumper off and reseal properly. Fingers crossed ! Stolen / Gone: 2006MY Supercharged LPG Autobiography - Zambezi Silver with Sand/Jet/Jet Oxford Leather.....

hi whats the part number for the gasket, been to the dealer and was told there is no gasket V8 facelift Range Rover Autobiography 22" wheels.
1976 Harley Davidson Iron Head Sportster

I couldn't find a part number either, but if you look at the fitting instructions for the towbar armature it clearly shows that there is a gasket to be fitted.

This link shows pics of the body with the bumper removed: http://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic6026.html

and this shows the gasket on pages 35 - 37: http://www.westfalia-automotive.de/fileadm...320051.pdf Stolen / Gone: 2006MY Supercharged LPG Autobiography - Zambezi Silver with Sand/Jet/Jet Oxford Leather.....

Maybe worth contacting westfalia as they come with the kit.
Use a decent silicon gasket sealer, or be a little old fashioned and make one from gasket paper?

Not sure what the original gasket is made from but I'm sure this company will be able to advise

I have today had the man from Tracker out to replace a sensor and he said that i had a water leak, it is coming down the right rear pillar in the boot. he fisrt thought that it was coming through the rubber gaitor that passes the cables to the top part of the rear tailgate but when he took the headlining out it was all dry. He seems to think it is coming in through the area where the tailgate bolts are and then tracks down the box section coming through a join. When he took of the trim panel where the speaker is it was soaking wet and now that panel is off i can see where is coming out but still cannot see how it is getting in.

Will ahve to wait till it stops raining dry the area and see if some silicone under the bolts will sove it. Has any one else taken these trim panels of to see if they are wet inside?

Hi All,

Well I have some great news, my leak has been stopped (temporarily), I followed robs advise and put lots of vasoline on the black armatures as per his pictures on this page, I only put this on the side i beleived to be leaking as i wanted to do it on a trial and error basis.

I also put vasoline inside on the bolts but just ever so lightly. this was last night i done all this. I have went back tonight; its been raining all day with winds of up to 60mph and not a single drop of water in sight.

I also put some tissue inside the big holes that are visible near the bolts, this was means test to see if water was stopped at my new "sealed" bolts or outside, I have not checked this yet, however i checked all over the boot and on my right hand side fuse compartment hole where i left one tissue paper and there is not a drop on it (yesterday this had a glass full overnight)

just to recap for others to try, I lubricated the full side of the armature (black metal part visibile on each side when you put the bottom tailgate at a 45 degree angle as per Rob's pics. make sure its fully sealed and a good thickness of grease. pour some water on it to make sure it sealed. I then greased the bolts inside (not as important) and leave some tissue in key areas that usually get wet or a towel.

I will take some pics tomorrow if anyone needs them, its too dark right now, thansk again everyone and rob, I will also report back when I have a proper fix in place (if it ever stops raining)

UPDATE:

After coating the LHS armature bracket in grease last night I am please to say that my leak has apparently stopped - I coated the LHS bracket at the bits I could reach and left a tissue stuck in the hole at the LHS to check for water - tonight it was dry whereas last night it was soaking wet.

So like RR8701, I've found the leak source - I'm going to buy a Westafalia armature with the new gaskets and fit that when I get a chance.

RR8701 - did you just put grease along the top of the bracket (with lower tailgate at 45 degrees) or did you coat it the whole way round ?

I struggled to get access all the way round it last night so just concentrated on the top section.

Fingers crossed its still dry tomorrow, the rain up my way couldnt get much worse than its been today ! Stolen / Gone: 2006MY Supercharged LPG Autobiography - Zambezi Silver with Sand/Jet/Jet Oxford Leather.....

Hi CG,

That is great news, as suspected we had the same problem. TBH yesterday when i applied the grease I was very skeptical it would work i just literally throw it on pressed it down at the top only and slightly on the side round part and that was it, i just assumed if water was getting in there it was going in from the top. Much like yourself I have never seen my boot so dry in a long time.

Please let me know where you will be purchasing your replacement part from. I am tempted to take it off and seal it myself if it looks ok however if a new seal will 200% solve the issue i wont argue with it, however i am slightly cautious over thinking a new part will 100% solve the issue as I have heard RR that are only a year old are getting leaks. Dont know if they are the same issue but i wouldnt be surprised if it was, very poor design.

Thanks