My kids 99 XJ's rear hatch is sticking..you have to push down on the hatch and kinda pop it open.Is there a way to adjust the latch?

 

Yes, If you remove the inside skin you should be able to see how to adjust!
Don't wait until you can't open it!!!!

 

Take off the skin like suggested, tighten the nuts while in there but your issue is a little slide level mechanism thing. You just need to push the pin up the slot further as its worked itself out some. I used a pair of pliers to CAREFULLY pinch the retainer a little tighter. Some day it might disconnect completely and you WONT be able to open it. Its happened to others here.

 

Can I replace the whole thing? Its my kids Jeep and is kinda a PIA...I'd rather just swap it out than keep messing with it...

 

No idea, but removing the hatch skin takes like all of 5 minutes, adjusting the lever takes all of 1 and replacing the skin takes another 5.

The pin sticking up on the right needs to go further up in its bracket. Just take the skin off, work the lever with one hand while watching the pin, then adjust the pin according. Its really NOT hard. Its just loosened up after all the years of opening it.

 

I had the exact same problem with mine about a month ago. Ya know what worked? I am not kidding... wd40. I sprayed the moving parts and it started working. After 2 treatments... its fine!

Always start with the easy stuff... then wjen all else fals, take stuff apart.
Good luck.

 

Thanks..the picture will help gonna pull it apart tomorrow.Let ya know how it works

 

All fixed...opens nice and easy..Thanks guys..