yeehawherb

This has been mentioned a little before, but i was hoping y'all would have a little more insight....

my rear lift gate diesnt close straight... i know how to adjust the torx bolts, but the only way to get it to not shut "painfully" the adjustment results with a 1/2" gap on the starboard side (yes, i refer to it as port and stbd)... and nearly rubbing on the port side... and this also results in a leak along the top in heavy rain.... anyone have any ideas? maybe adjusting the striker plate, but i can't figure where the adjustment is for that...

1995 ZJ (i believe) grand cherokee laredo....

forgive my noob-ness...

nick_n_ii

If you could take a pic of this and post it up. I've never heard of anyone having issues getting there hatch to line up..

ol"blue

I was told not to post anymore scans of the manual, so this is from the manual. Quoted exactly as written.
Quote: "If the liftgate needs to be adjusted, loosen the hinge bolts slightly, gently close the liftgate and verify that it's centered (the striker should center it). Then carefully open the liftgate and retighten the hinge bolts." End of quote.

yeehawherb

I'll try and get some pictures up in a bit. I've had my ZJ for 5 years now and it's always been this way, i've used the method described in both the manual and my Haynes manual (same idea, different verbiage) and when the gate is straightened so the gaps are the same, it's obvciuosly rubbing against the latch/striker.... and that feeling of grinding metal when you close it is so sexy... and by sexy i mean it makes me feel like crying....

ol"blue

There is a small amount of adjustment on the striker and the latch. When you unlock the hatch you can feel it move slightly to one side or the other if it's out of adjustment, indicating which way you need to go with the adjustment. The fore and aft gap adjustment between the hatch and rear of vehicle on yours, being greater on one side than the other, can be adjusted somewhat by the rubber-tipped stop bolts. On the starboard (right) side, screw it in to lessen gap. On the port (left) side screw it out to increase gap. Do a 1/2 to 1 turn at a time, alternating sides to achieve visual equality. You may have to do this in concert with loosening of the hinge bolts slightly to eliminate water leak at upper seal area.

nick_n_ii

We don't let you post scans but you can always PM the m to him..