M4RK

I slammed my rear hatch closed a little while back and it's stuck shut. I just got done messing with the latch mechanism a few days prior and it was working fine, though the hatch wasn't seating up against the strike plate very tight and my rear hatch light would come on and off while driving.

Well there's no dummy light now, just a dummy driving the Jeep. I already took a dremem tool and cut a semi circle out of the rear hatch panel where the mechanism is but there's still no clear view of whats going on with the striike plate and latch. I've been trying to pry it opn but thats not going very well. Any ideas on how to pull this rear hatch open? Thanks in advance.

Gee oh Dee

You should just take that entire panel off to gain access to the entire mechanism.

I did it for my 87, the button kept sticking 'in' so it would never shut.

It was easy for me.

Muaddib420

You should be able to unbolt the striker plate from the underside of the car. Two bolts. It'll lift up with the latch.

Axslinger87

If you have, well i had the same prob or still do, ive never actually fixed the mechanism. But how i get the door open is before i pull the handle i push in the door panel with my right hand and then pull the lever with my left. Works every time now

M4RK

Damn I gotta check into that thank you. Will it be a problem if I have a trailer hitch installed?

dougfrompa

No, you should be able to get to the studs from between the bumper and lift gate. Once you get it open spray the locking mech in the lift gate with wd40. Spray it in every where you can. This will loosen any dirt and lubricate any surfaces that might be dry or even rusted a little.

M4RK

Awesome info thank you for the help.

LYKOS

I had to do this at Bonnaroo a couple years ago. It's not hard at all and once inside you can open the hatch and adjust and lubricate the mechanism.

Gee oh Dee

I just realized I've got an 87, and its probably different from the 98 in your info. My bad. :/

M4RK

I just got off a 12 hour overnight stretch at work so i apologize if I'm not making much sense. I just tried to remove the nuts that secure the mounting bolts for the resr hatch strike plate with no luck. I cannot fit my hand in the cavity where the nits are and my extensions and u joint are too angulated to get and leverage to break them free.

Im gonna take a second look at pulling the interior door panel but in the meantime can anyone hold my hand and walk me through this a little more? Again, thank you in advance.