Anyone have to tear the rear hatch latch assembly out from the inside??

[rwh963]

the rear latch has been stuck for months. couldn't do much over the winter. i had removed the inside plastic panel and sticky plastic. i tried to manually release it, to no avail. the actuator is actually working good, but the latch is not releasing.

been soaking the area with penetrating fluid. been repeatedly trying the actuator. have tried various techniques. nothing. ripped the plastic cover off the assembly. removed the electric actuator. was hoping to unbolt it from the inside, but that doesn't look possible.

anyone need to go this extreme, and any success? can't even get the spare lowered without the lid open!

 

[88Center]

When reaching into the panel from the inside, did you pull up on BOTH levers at same time? There are two in there, gold (long) and metal (shorter).

 

[rwh963]

yes, and i've tried it in various configurations. the actuator works fine, the latch just isn't releasing. can't seem to directly manipulate the lack from inside, and can't unbolt the assembly without the hatch up.

 

[AuSeeker]

yes, and i've tried it in various configurations. the actuator works fine, the latch just isn't releasing. can't seem to directly manipulate the lack from inside, and can't unbolt the assembly without the hatch up.

I seem to recall, many years ago I read of someone with the same issue, he ended up disassembling/cutting at the mechanism from the inside until he got into it far enough to get the latch hook disengaged and then installed a new assembly.

 

[SocalSam]

Have your assistant push the hatch in from the outside. This will relieve some tension on the latch. Once you have the hatch open, inspect catch and latch for corrosion. Catch hoop (attached to the body) is symmetrical and can be reversed to present clean side to latch.

 

[rwh963]

took the vehicle to the dealer to get replacement tires mounted. asked to have this issue considered. tech spoke to me afterwards, said he was not able to move the latch. could not suggest a solution.

i've tried various techniques suggested, to no avail. have to consider surgery, and a new/used replacement.

 

[dmj9486]

I had issues getting my tail gate open. I had tried everything that everyone suggested and no luck. Thinking outside the box I ended up using an Air wedge and placing it on the inside of the tailgate door and slipping it between the bottom of the door and the bumper far enough until i hit the tailgate latch. Then I pumped it up as much as I could and pressed the tailgate switch and it opened right up. I could tell the locking mechanism was completely rusted. I ended up replacing the actuator. Sadly I doubt you will be able to find a air wedge in store. Might have to order a lockout kit online. Hope this helps...

the rear latch has been stuck for months. couldn't do much over the winter. i had removed the inside plastic panel and sticky plastic. i tried to manually release it, to no avail. the actuator is actually working good, but the latch is not releasing.

been soaking the area with penetrating fluid. been repeatedly trying the actuator. have tried various techniques. nothing. ripped the plastic cover off the assembly. removed the electric actuator. was hoping to unbolt it from the inside, but that doesn't look possible.

anyone need to go this extreme, and any success? can't even get the spare lowered without the lid open!

 

[AuSeeker]

I had issues getting my tail gate open. I had tried everything that everyone suggested and no luck. Thinking outside the box I ended up using an Air wedge and placing it on the inside of the tailgate door and slipping it between the bottom of the door and the bumper far enough until i hit the tailgate latch. Then I pumped it up as much as I could and pressed the tailgate switch and it opened right up. I could tell the locking mechanism was completely rusted. I ended up replacing the actuator. Sadly I doubt you will be able to find a air wedge in store. Might have to order a lockout kit online. Hope this helps...

This is a great tip, one that hasn't been posted before, I'm sure it will help others in the future!!

Thanks!!

Air wedges can be purchased separately, so it would be a good tool to have, I'm sure there're many other uses for one as well!!

Google Search

 

[4R005]

The bracket with the inverted "U" hook for the latch lock to onto is bolted to vehicle frame with two bolts (Torx head and not accessible ) and the nuts ( 14 mm ? and accessible ) are visible and available/open to wrenching from under the vehicle. After undoing both nuts ( you may have to cut them off as the bolt heads will rotate prior to nuts unthreading the length of the bolts. Door should be able to open with the "U" hook still attached to the latch mechanism. Hope this will work for you.

 

[Three dogs]

I just did mine yesterday was a 1 hour job, I feel you pain though.

 

[Three dogs]

.

Soak it with penetrating oil overnight, a lot of it

 

[ricklin]

I drove 600 + miles with equipment in the rig that only fit through the hatch. Get to my jobsite and the hatch is 100% stuck. AI via Google to the rescue. Pull up on the metal latch hook closest to the rear of the hatch. Waa Lah got it open. It currently has a zip tie attached to the metal hook to make it easier. I have a new switch coming which is a common failure. I assume I can get at the hardware from inside once the rear trim panel on the hatch is removed. I'll tpe up the plastic when I am done.a

 

[MrTom]

What word or prompt query to AI via Google did you use to the get instruction to release the latch?