Originally Posted by WyoCherokee

This may apply to the older XJ's with the fiberglass hatch, but i am not certain. Does your back hatch latch stick, and you find yourself banging on the door in various places to get it to pop open?
Here is the culprit and the easy fix. I had to Bang on my hatch in the lower right corner to get it to pop open while holding the handle. I could feel it "pop" the latch, but not enough to relieve the pressure on the Bar Pin.

Step .1 Open the hatch.

Step 2. Remove the plastic interior molding using a phillips screw driver and a T30 Torx Bit for the Handle. There are 9 plastic install clips holding the plastic tothe door. These can be re-used but i suggest getting new ones(any auto parts store will have them)

Step 3. Look down the door at the latch and you should see this: (not my jeep, i forgot a picture at this stage.)


Step 4. See that rod and the metal clip? that is your culprit. The clip needs to be all the way at the back of the threads. Carefully using a micro flat head, bend the tabs on the passenger side back to allow you to remove the rod.

Step 5. If you wish to Lube the latch assembly and clean the electrical connections, now is the time. Use a T40 Torx bit to remove the latch assembly and shoot it up with silicone spray or WD-40.

Step 6. After you re-install the latch assembly, make sure the rod is pulled all the way forward(but do not activate the latch). then slide the gold clip as far back on the threads as you can without activating the lever. then use a pair of needle nose pliers and pinch the tabs back to hold the clip on the rod.

Step 7. Now use a small narrow hose clamp or zip ties and cross over the clip to secure it in place. Like this:

I used yellow zippies, because thats all i have on hand.

Step 8. Test and adjust clip position on rod as necessary.

Step 9. Re-install plastic moulding with new weatherstripping and plastic retainers.

Step 10. Crack open beverage of choice and enjoy the silence in absence of significant other cussing at the door for not opening.

Originally Posted by Jplesha

Anyone have a bolt size I think I will opt for a locknut. Maybe with some Loctite to be sure. :-)

Originally Posted by fb97xj1

Would this work? Seen them on the ZJ, and GM models.



Fits like this. Pic name says Grand Cherokee. I have no idea if the metal clip for the XJ uses the same size hole as the ZJ tho.

Originally Posted by fb97xj1

Would this work? Seen them on the ZJ, and GM models.



Fits like this. Pic name says Grand Cherokee. I have no idea if the metal clip for the XJ uses the same size hole as the ZJ tho.

Originally Posted by maquette

I ordered some last night, I'll let you know if they fit mine.

Originally Posted by WyoCherokee

any update? this would be a great fix for a common xj problem.

Originally Posted by fb97xj1

Would this work? Seen them on the ZJ, and GM models.



Fits like this. Pic name says Grand Cherokee. I have no idea if the metal clip for the XJ uses the same size hole as the ZJ tho.

Originally Posted by maquette

I have the clips and they fit on the rod but I haven't figured out how to remove the original one. It looks like it may have to be drilled out and I'm worried that once I get it out the hole may be too big for the new piece to fit. I haven't had any time to look at it and am leaving for a couple of weeks shortly so I won't be able to get to it soon.
If you'd like, my email address is maquette415@yahoo.com and you can send me your snail mail address and I'll send you a couple for you to try. No cost to you, they come 20 in a package and weigh nothing.
Let me know.

Tom

Originally Posted by treemonkee

I got some from O-Reilly's when I was fixing the tail gate latch on '88 F150.