Thread: Tailgate won't open

Try pushing gently with your shoulder against the tailgate at the same time as when your trying to open it using the latch handle.

Originally Posted by Ferret

Try pushing gently with your shoulder against the tailgate at the same time as when your trying to open it using the latch handle.

Hi Ferret. Thank you for the suggestion. I just tried that but it didn't work. When it got stuck in the past, tapping the handle worked. I then sprayed graphite on the latch since then it always opened - until now! If I can open the door somehow, I will be able to access the latch and give it a clean and spray some more graphite. Can you suggest a way that I might be able to open it without using the handle. I am not too fussed if I have to wedge a screwdriver between the door and the body. A couple of more scratches won't be noticed.

Originally Posted by discotwo

Hi All.

Just getting ready to go away for the weekend and haven't driven the car for a couple of months. I tried to open the tailgate, but no luck with the handle. So I crawled into the back tried it form the inside and again no success.

I pulled off the trim and I expected to see the latch mechanism to open it but can't reach it. Are there any suggestions as to how I can open it and perhaps put graphite on the latch. It was sticking 6-8 months ago, but after some gentle tapping on the handle whilst trying to open it the door opened.

HELP!!

Try putting some additional weight (downforce) on the rear door and then pull the handle. Try from inside as well whilst somebody else puts some weight on the door.

Just a question - has the car been into many dusty places? If so, adding graphite to the mix has probably set the workings of the latch like concrete - you did mention that nothing's been touched for months....

You should be able to see where the interior lever operates on the latch from inside the load space. By fair means or foul, pull/push (I can't remember) the connection on the latch as far as you can make it go. This ought to open the latch.

Then remove the latch. It's an easy job.

You can either wash the latch thoroughly in solvent, or buy a new one. They cost about $150 complete. Leave the mechanism dry after you get all of the jamming material out of it, except for a small dot of lithium grease on the rod pivot points.

Hope this helps.

PM sent as well.

Pete

Originally Posted by Pierre

Just a question - has the car been into many dusty places? If so, adding graphite to the mix has probably set the workings of the latch like concrete - you did mention that nothing's been touched for months....

Hi Pierre. Yes, it has been in very dusty areas.

I finally managed to get it open. I squeezed my hand and felt where the handle links connect and was madly pushing up pulling down (and the occasional kick but nothing worked). In the end, I pulled back the weatherstrip and I managed to get a screwdriver between the latch and the assembly that it hooks on to. I don't know whether it was the screwdriver moving the latch, the fact that the screwdriver pried open the door a touch or the pushing and pulling on the levers on the mechanism (or all of the above), but I heard a 'click' and the door popped open. Your suggestion that graphite and dust becomes like concrete is not far off the mark. There was a lot of gunk on the latch.

I sprayed a ton of CRC all over the mechanism and now it opens and closes as it should. I will get some grease tomorrow and hopefully won't have this problem again.

Thanks for your help.