Hi everyone, My daughter was in an accident and she dented the rear hatch of our 1999 jeep cherokee. I bought a replacement and removed the hatch off of the hinge and installed the replacement hatch and left the bolts loose thinking I might need to make adjustments. Well, my thinking was in the right direction, but apparently didn't leave it loose enough. The Hatch is too hi and now I can't even lower it to be able to open it! It won't open because the top of the hatch is sitting a inch above the roof line and when you try to open it, it hits the roof. So, 1) what did I do wrong? and 2) what can I do to correct my mistake?

Thanks

 

What year XJ did the replacement hatch come from?

 

It came off of a 2000 and according to what I've read, 97-01 will fit and it pretty much did, but I think I went about it wrong. I shouldn't have left the hinge on the car, should have removed it with the hatch. I couldn't find any instruction on replacing one.

 

I've never replaced one but there are either shims or slotted holes in the hinges. Did you ever get the hatch to open? If it is sitting 1" high when closed it should be clear of the latch.