That's a relief! Agreed, the design is poor. A rust spot waiting to happen. Apparently the facelift boot handle design is even worse. Excess movement at each end I think. Yet again a poor gasket.

Bob 10MY (Sept 09) TD4 HSE Auto in Stornoway Grey (Now Gone)

08 FL2 TD4 SE Manual in Rimini Red (Now Gone)

You can buy adhesive foam tape in various thicknesses on fleabay to make your own slightly thicker gasket and so avoid the wear that leads to corrosion.

JGH - the gasket was fitted by the body shop but I think it was something they knocked up themselves.

To be clear my car is a facelifted long chrome handle one and the original problem wasn't rust but the paint had been chipped away so bare metal was on show. Learned to drive in 2011.
Bought a Micra - great little car
"Upgraded" to Kia Sportage - hated it
Proper upgrade to FL2 TD4 GS 60 reg Facelift - tailgate paint issues, fuel gauge rewire, transfer box failure at 36k miles, clutch at 60k
Reconditioned diff at 70k ish
Sold at 84k and now on a DS. Terribly unreliable.
Sold DS for a 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. Fingers crossed....
Sold Outlander for a 2014 SD4 SE Tech because I’m mental

adhesive foam may well offer a cushion but it will retain water, encouraging corrosion. I plan to try thin rubber from an old bike inner tube.... 10MY (Sept 09) TD4 HSE Auto in Stornoway Grey (Now Gone)

08 FL2 TD4 SE Manual in Rimini Red (Now Gone)

Good point. Looks like foam was used on mine. Learned to drive in 2011.
Bought a Micra - great little car
"Upgraded" to Kia Sportage - hated it
Proper upgrade to FL2 TD4 GS 60 reg Facelift - tailgate paint issues, fuel gauge rewire, transfer box failure at 36k miles, clutch at 60k
Reconditioned diff at 70k ish
Sold at 84k and now on a DS. Terribly unreliable.
Sold DS for a 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. Fingers crossed....
Sold Outlander for a 2014 SD4 SE Tech because I’m mental

Come to think of it - I have some spare pond liner - ideal! (guaranteed not to leak! ha!) 10MY (Sept 09) TD4 HSE Auto in Stornoway Grey (Now Gone)

08 FL2 TD4 SE Manual in Rimini Red (Now Gone)

Hi all. Came up with an idea to stop rubbing on paint work. I could not find anything that would work as a gasket without looking bodged.

So after kurust and some primer carefully applied I refitted the handle with some foam strip stuck along the bottom edge where it can't be seen. I left the nuts half a turn loose.
I then spaced out the top edge using some old ty wraps (some thin cable might work as well) leaving a 1-1.5mm gap all round the top edge. (See photos).

Then ran a small bead of clear silicone sealant along the gap. Cleaned off excess with white spirit. Left to set ( took about two hours as very thin bead but might take longer) and carefully removed ty wraps. Filled small holes left with some more silicone and cleaned off.

Left to set for a bit longer and tightened nuts half a turn.

Looks okay and can't be seen unless you really look for it. Also now a waterproof seal. Water just runs off. Might be a little tricky to get off but hopefully I won't have to do that for a few years.

Cheers, JGH99

Edit: Photos in gallery. Can't attach for some reason. Freelander 2 GS Stornoway Grey
Jan 2007 Bought 71,000 miles. Currently 149,300 miles.

What is this facelift handle? How does it differ and what is the cost of it? Thanks

Had to have the handle replaced on my 08 a few weeks back and was surprised there was no rubber gasket to stop rubbing. Thanks for interesting suggestions in this thread I may revisit this now before any rust starts

Bogart wrote:

What is this facelift handle? How does it differ and what is the cost of it? Thanks

Hi, I believe the facelift chrome handle also requires two extra holes to be drilled.

Can someone confirm please.

JGH99 Freelander 2 GS Stornoway Grey
Jan 2007 Bought 71,000 miles. Currently 149,300 miles.

It does 10MY (Sept 09) TD4 HSE Auto in Stornoway Grey (Now Gone)

08 FL2 TD4 SE Manual in Rimini Red (Now Gone)

Car now finally back in the body shop and I have a Nissan Note as a courtesy car

Hopefully all will be resolved. Learned to drive in 2011.
Bought a Micra - great little car
"Upgraded" to Kia Sportage - hated it
Proper upgrade to FL2 TD4 GS 60 reg Facelift - tailgate paint issues, fuel gauge rewire, transfer box failure at 36k miles, clutch at 60k
Reconditioned diff at 70k ish
Sold at 84k and now on a DS. Terribly unreliable.
Sold DS for a 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. Fingers crossed....
Sold Outlander for a 2014 SD4 SE Tech because I’m mental

Glad you're sorted and as you say why not stick them on in the beginning  If it wasn't so bad it'd be funny.

�
Freelander 2 HSE auto 2014 ( Florrie ) ..... Try again.
Freelander 2 GS 2012...... Gone.