Nissan Titan right side tailgate hinge bushing.

thingiverse

On the Nissan Titan, the right side tailgate hinge attaches to a lever that utilizes a gas strut to permit the tailgate to drop softly. The bushing between the tailgate and the hinge usually wears out quickly, requiring complete replacement of the hinge ($40-$80) for a new bushing. Unfortunately, Nissan doesn't sell just the bushing; it's a part of the entire hinge assembly. This design flaw is quite annoying. To address this issue, I 3D printed a custom bushing from PLA plastic. It fits snugly into the tailgate and should slide easily over the pivot pin. If it doesn't fit perfectly, simply sand the bottom corners to ensure a smooth insertion. A tight press fit ensures that the bushing stays in place. For best results, insert the bushing into the tailgate first and then slide it over the pin; this makes the process much easier. One important note: the tailgate must remain on the right side (ensuring proper alignment between the left and right panels) to prevent damage to this custom bushing, just like the original one. In a future update, I plan to print the bushing with NylonX or a more durable material to see if it lasts longer. Alternatively, I may attempt to machine one out of aluminum for added durability. Even though this PLA print will get you back on track, it's still worth exploring more durable options to minimize the need for frequent replacements. With about 7 cents' worth of PLA, even a replacement bushing is significantly cheaper than the original part. This custom solution is still a work in progress; if I can find a way to make it last longer, I'll be sure to update this post with further improvements.