Don't know if this has been discussed on here before so I thought I'd offer some advice that might save someone a few hundred bucks repairing their liftgate mechanism.


Our liftgate chain broke. Upon inspection there were several cracked links along with the broken one. Could only find on the internet that the complete liftgate power mechanism had to be replaced. The chain itself wasn't available for purchase. I found the new mechanisms costing anywhere from $200-450.


Well, I saw a number on the chain, #25. Googled "chain #25" and discovered electric scooters used that chain. Ordered one foot of the heavy duty chain and a couple of master links (and 1/2 and 1 1/2 links as a just in case).

The number on the bag the chain came in is CHN-HD2548.
The master kink is CHN-HD25ML.
The half link is CHN-HL.
The link and a half is CHN-25LHL.

I ordered them from ElectricSccoterParts.com 1-800-908-8082.


Rotated the cam tension adjuster at the top of the mechanism to get some slack. Used my dremel to cut the pins off the bad section of links, removed them, and installed the new chain section. Rotated the cam adjuster again to tighten up the new chain. The new chain was much more heavy duty than the original chain, but fit in perfectly with the original chain.


All said and done, I spent only $18 and about two hours of my own labor for this repair. Liftgate works 100% now!

 

I didn't realize they had a chain for the tailgate, only on the slide doors. I thought they was a motor that rotated an arm/mechanism to open/close it.

 

Our van is a 2010, the latest body style.
This generation uses a motor driven chain drive.
I think the ones before that used a motor/gear mechanism.

 

Yeah I guess you're right, I have a 2007 Town & Country Touring

 

Thanks for posting your fix, it will surely help out many others.

George

 

Hey thanks for the pointer ! My 2011 T & C chain broke this morning. I went to the scooter parts web site per your instructions and ordered parts. Yea, the whole unit is priced at $280 so the $20 for replacement chain is worth the effort. Should have the parts in a few days -- wish me luck !!

 

Sounds great!

 

Yesterday I removed the lift gate mechanism cover. I noted one link broke, another nearby damaged. I replaced the broken and damaged links with two new master links and then adjusted the tensioner eccentric. Works fine. Time will tell if the design is flawed or perhaps the current limiter is set to high or the chain is defective / poor quality.

 

Tried to delete this reply, but couldn't see how to do it. So I edited it.
Anyway, what I wanted to reply is in my next post.

 

I think the design is ok. Just the original chain Chrysler uses is weak.
If you noticed, the replacement chain section you (and I) installed is much beefier.
Mine still works great after several months and we open our gate multiple times each day.
Probably, what's left of the original chain will eventually fail again. If that happens, then I'll just replace the whole chain with the scooter chain.