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View Full Version : Can't open the rear hatch? Here is how I fixed our 97+



Mudderoy
03-07-2013, 07:05 AM
http://youtu.be/vyWk8BIP_IQ

bluedragon436
03-09-2013, 11:19 AM
Just went out to adjust my latch after watching this... Adjusted it too much at first... but then put it between where I had adjusted it and where it was when I started... Works like a champ now... I did however end up breaking the little U shape piece that holds one of the body clips to the hatch panel... oh well... it is all back together and working correctly again, that's all that matters!!

Sawzall86
04-23-2013, 02:59 PM
Exactly what I needed info on!

Mudderoy
04-23-2013, 03:09 PM
Exactly what I needed info on!

Always great to hear. Let me know if it fixes your problem.

Sawzall86
04-23-2013, 03:59 PM
Will do. I'm going to try putting pressure on it first to see if it luckily pops open, but I have a feeling I'm going to be sitting in the cargo area for a little bit while pulling off the trim ....

bluedragon436
04-23-2013, 06:07 PM
Yeah I was able to try pushing roughly where the liscense plate is... and pulling the handle at the same time and kind of playing a bit and got it open the last time... but prior to that I was able to just push the plate area and pull up on the handle and it opened fine... hope that works for you so that you won't have to struggle to get in to adjust it...

Sawzall86
04-25-2013, 09:17 AM
Holy crap on a stick, it actually worked! :shocker: Just tried it a minute ago, thumb above the handle with a little pressure and voila, the rear hatch popped open. I'll adjust the latch today since I dunno if I'll get that lucky again. Thanks again for the little tidbits of info!! You guys are awesome!

Mudderoy
04-25-2013, 09:52 AM
Holy crap on a stick, it actually worked! :shocker: Just tried it a minute ago, thumb above the handle with a little pressure and voila, the rear hatch popped open. I'll adjust the latch today since I dunno if I'll get that lucky again. Thanks again for the little tidbits of info!! You guys are awesome!

lol that's great to hear. This is the first time I've ever had this problem, first time fixing it, so I didn't know how much would apply to others.

NW99XJ
04-25-2013, 10:46 AM
Good video Tony!
Thanks for doing that.....
I did a full write up on this very procedure like a year or so ago....and posted it up on various forums,
it's up on the main page here on XJTalk.com in the "Articles" section, it's called Rear Hatch Release Mechanism Adjustment (http://www.xjtalk.com/showthread.php?t=11349)

Here's the jist of it:

Mechanisms wear out, it's only a matter of time.
As it so happens, my rear lift gate release mechanism (the thingy that allows you to open the rear gate) stopped working, or was at the very least being very temperamental.
I've been in the doors of many vehicles, and am familiar with how all the rods, and levers, and linkages all work.
So I figured that the mechanism that latches the rear gate closed, and releases to allow you to open it, would have SOME sort of adjustment to it, and if it didn't, I was going to make it.
Here is a write up of how I adjusted it on my 99 XJ, (this should be pretty much the same for all 97-01's, I cannot speak for how it is set up on older Cherokees.)
>
There are several Phillips head screws that hold on the interior panel on the rear gate/hatch, it is easiest to get to all these, and to remove the panel with the hatch open,
if yours is stuck closed you may still be able to do this, but it may be a bit more cumbersome and time consuming.
Once all the screws are removed, there is only pressure clips holding the panel onto the hatch, use a panel popper, or light force with your hand to remove the panel a little at a time.
Once off you'll have access to the inner workings. The large opening to the right of center is where you'll be working through:
http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/1490/rearhatchadj001.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/99/rearhatchadj001.jpg/)


Using a smaller flat head screw driver, or equivalent tool,
Slide the retaining clip off of the linkage that connects the handle/lock mechanism to the release mechanism
(mine was green yours may be a different color.)
http://img685.imageshack.us/img685/6002/rearhatchadj002.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/685/rearhatchadj002.jpg/)

You'll want to apply force from the right to the left to remove the clip, it will simply rotate off of the linkage with a little pressure:
http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/4146/rearhatchadj003.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/3/rearhatchadj003.jpg/)

Once the clip side of the retainer is off of the linkage, pull/pry the end of the linkage out of the retainer all together (it should come straight out)
http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/8117/rearhatchadj004.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/338/rearhatchadj004.jpg/)

Now that the linkage is free, you can make the necessary adjustments. In mine, it is set up so that as you rotate it, the threads engage a forked clip, and will move the rod up and down accordingly.....
I adjusted mine all the way up (so that the majority of the threads would be protruding above the forked clip) - This gave the handle much more leverage on the release mechanism.
http://img820.imageshack.us/img820/199/rearhatchadj005b.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/820/rearhatchadj005b.jpg/)

Now that your linkage is adjusted, it may be a good time to do some up-keep on the actual release/latching mechanism.
There are three Torx head screws holding the mechanism in place in the hatch.
Remove these three, and the mechanism can be removed from the hatch as a whole.
http://img829.imageshack.us/img829/4088/rearhatchadj006.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/829/rearhatchadj006.jpg/)

In mine there was a small wired connector/sensor attached to it. This is easy to remove and there is plenty of slack on the wire to do so.
This mechanism is not a serviceable part, in the sense that you cannot take it apart and replace anything in it.
You can however spray it down liberally with lube, blow it out with an air gun, and grease it.
This is what I did before re-installing it, and putting everything back together.
>
The assembly process is reverse of the un-install:


Re-attach the wired plug/connector to the mechanism.
Re-install the mechanism,
-(its a good idea to tighten the two flat head Torx screws FIRST - the countersinks that these go into will help ensure the mechanism is centered in it's location)
Push the linkage securely back into the retainer.
Rotate the retaining clip back onto the linkage rod.
TEST the operation.
-(If you need to make any adjustments - the panel is already off, and you will have easy access)
Re-install the interior panel - make sure not to over tighten the screws, as the plastic can break.



The only addition I would make to this writ-up would be to add a jam-nut to that threaded rod, to keep it "in adjustment"....I have had a hard time determining the actual thread size/pitch....so in the mean time, I have gotten away with a zip tie.


Hope this is a good bit of information to supplement Tony's great video.

Sawzall86
04-25-2013, 02:58 PM
lol that's great to hear. This is the first time I've ever had this problem, first time fixing it, so I didn't know how much would apply to others.


Just lucky I guess :D I figured I'd give it a shot first before having to crawl through the rear doors to work on it from the inside. At least I know now that I need hatch struts and rear speakers as well....

captain_k
07-30-2013, 01:10 PM
Hi, I'm new here. I have a 2000 Cherokee sport 4x4 4.0L that is bone stock (hopefully not for long)

Ok so I've tried every method in the video and I still can't get the rear gate to open. Is there another way to open the gate so I can access the latch mechanism? I didn't see any obvious way to open it from the interior but I can check again. At this point I'm considered ripping the handle out with a claw hammer and rebuilding the whole lock/handle.

Any help you can give is appreciated.

Mudderoy
07-30-2013, 02:03 PM
Hi, I'm new here. I have a 2000 Cherokee sport 4x4 4.0L that is bone stock (hopefully not for long)

Ok so I've tried every method in the video and I still can't get the rear gate to open. Is there another way to open the gate so I can access the latch mechanism? I didn't see any obvious way to open it from the interior but I can check again. At this point I'm considered ripping the handle out with a claw hammer and rebuilding the whole lock/handle.

Any help you can give is appreciated.

See if this is of any help.

http://youtu.be/SUtlN4pbJ38

bulrid8
07-30-2013, 02:34 PM
Its almost impossible to get the interior cover off, with door closed,on a late model. I ended up using a dermal to cut a small access hole in cover. Then I could hook the mechanism and open the door.

Then the fix is same as above. I fiberglassed over the hole and repainted it. Or, you can make a cover plate for it.

Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk 2

lilgamoma
11-14-2013, 10:15 PM
I've done what's on the video a few times throughout the summer & fall(I bookmarked it for a good reason!). Even used a twisty tie last time to try to keep it from slipping. It's a plastic clip there not metal. BUT now it's stuff again.:bang:
Should I just try to replace it, or maybe use a zip tie instead? Thanks! It always seems to happen when I need to load a lot in the back.

4.3LXJ
11-14-2013, 10:58 PM
I don't have the 95, but have been mine and can't remember all the specifics. But is there a plastic clip that has gone south on you?

Mudderoy
11-14-2013, 11:14 PM
I've done what's on the video a few times throughout the summer & fall(I bookmarked it for a good reason!). Even used a twisty tie last time to try to keep it from slipping. It's a plastic clip there not metal. BUT now it's stuff again.:bang:
Should I just try to replace it, or maybe use a zip tie instead? Thanks! It always seems to happen when I need to load a lot in the back.

What about some epoxy? I wouldn't put too much so you can remove it for adjustment later. Just a dab.

lilgamoma
11-15-2013, 09:17 AM
Yes, the plastic clip slips down after a while & the problem starts all over again. I was thinking about trying to get a metal clip to see if that helps (but not sure what I should ask for at parts shop, like does it have a specific name?)
If I can't find a new clip I'll defiantly try the epoxy- does it need a specific temperature to cure at? It dipped down below freezing here last night.

4.3LXJ
11-15-2013, 10:36 AM
Use some 5 minute epoxy. Sand the surface first to give it something to stick to

nickxj94
11-16-2013, 12:03 PM
Going to get a new latch today since my son broke it.:banghead: