10-32 UNF. I used a nylon jamb nut on the threads to keep it from ever happening again! This nut is steel with a nylon ring in the top of it, looks like an acorn cap. 37 cents at any hardware store. I haven't put the plastic panel back on yet, but I plan on drilling a hole in it so I can stick a screwdriver thru it and pop the latch. I'll post the exact location for that hole when I get it done. I bought a large plastic push pin to fill the hole.

Getting to the latch rod is easy. Just get your fingers behind the plastic trim at the bottom of the window and give it a good yank! The pins near the bottom of the window will pop out and you can get your arm down with a wire coathanger and lift the latch lever.

 

 

i had to adjust the rod on a 98 and on a 01. The clamp on the rod was different for both years. You may want to make your own fix with a jam nut etc. Remember over time the hatch gets slammed a lot.

 

Not the rod in my case, the actual plastic cam on the handle broke so it does not actuate. The rod is held in place tightly, but the cam that pushes on the lever is gone. I hear this issue happens with OEM, Dorman replacement, etc. Anybody found any other solution to a better quality handle?

Cam on the left circle, rod connector on the right side. This is the dorman unit.. Any ideas for a fix? Won't have a handle for a while... :-( The cam sheared off, I am wondering if I can drill a small hole and thread a screw, the head of the screw can act as the "cam"... with some lubrication of course.


99 XJ rear handle (Dorman I think), rod connector on the right, cam (broke!) on the left

 

I am new...My apologies if I am doing this wrong. I have a 98 Jeep Cherokee. The back hatch won't open...is stuck....the key will not turn it. I have watched many videos and read many texts. The problem for me is that I can't get the hatch interior to open like many videos show. When I pull on the plastic interior under the window. I can open it slightly but I can't reach my down inside because the framework on the door/hatch is blocking me. I cannot pull of the interior as a whole either while the hatch/door is shut. I'd be thankful for help/suggestions.

 

As we've all learned, easy to adjust the rod so the latch opens smoothly. BUT 6 mo - a year later the rod has moved and start over.
Here's a pic of a kluge solution:

Piece of dowl, 1/8" hole, and split into two pieces.
A perfect solution is a nut or two, The rod is 0.185" Dia, I tried both 10-32 and 10-24 nuts, neither would go on the rod. Likely a bastard metric thread.

I'll know in a year if my kluge works.

 

I just followed that video on my 01. It worked very well. The main latch bolt thru the hatch on left side was very loose, and the entire latch assy would shift up and down and left and right by about 1/4 inch. I dont think it has ever been tightened before. I tightened the nut snug, i couldnt find what secures it on the right side...no visible attach hardware. Its still a tad sloppy on that side. The plastic rod clip seemed to be in decent shape, so i opened it and slid the rod up until the metal cross linkage had minimal play. I threaded (2) 10-24 nuts down on the rod to lock the plastic plate. It seemed a good fit the nuts threaded on easily and securely with no slip or wobble. My fix for the right side latch play is to drill a small hole above and outside of the key lock thru the plastic and hatch metal, where i will put a rivet to keep it from moving. I will post pictures tomorrow. The hatch opens like brand new..very happy
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