Lucky you I just had mine off the other day
You have to remove the interior tailgate trim.
1. Tailgate trim:
- Remove the small plastic cover at the strap, remove the 10mm bolt and lay the strap to the side.
- Use a trim tool on the left side of the tailgate lamp cover to remove, unplug the wire harness.
- On the passenger side locate the arrow on the side of the tailgate trim. Using a trim tool gently pry the trim outward. Grab a large flat trim tool and work your way around the side and bottom releasing the white plastic retainer clips, I think there are 7 total and 2 in the center of the trim.
2. remove the two bolts holding the MCU bracket.
3. then gently peel back the vapor barrier (do it on a cold day the butyl rubber seal isn't nearly as messy as when it is hot out)
4. get a 7mm shallow socket and from the backside work the two white retainer clips that are holding the MCU bracket. Rotating the socket on the back of the clip while you gently pull will release the clips stays allowing you to remove it without trashing the clip.
5. disconnect the two MCU wire harnesses and the light/tailgate harness on the top and set that aside.
6. finish removing the vapor barrier and lay it off to the side carefully, so that you don't fold it back on itself (if you do your most likely buying a new one) the Butyl is tacky when warm be careful with it.
7. with that out of the way you should see 4 bolts and two retaining clips that hold the tailgate latch handle trim. Remove them and put some either purple or other "removable" Loctite on them and snug, don't over-tighten.
8. clean out any munge that seeps down from the rear window in the bottom of the tailgate and make sure all the drains are clear while you have open.
9. Carefully install the vapor barrier, install the MCU bracket, connect the harnessess, replace the trim, connect the lights, replace the lift strap, done
__________________
2013 TE w/ KDSS Nav
=-> Get yer
Custom "Trail" Edition Emblem/Badge 3d Print here! or maybe you just
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