I have to press in on the liftgate with 5-10 pounds of force to get the liftgate to open...then its just a finger touch on the handle...if I don't press it will not unlatch no matter how hard I pull...any adjustments I can do to bring the liftgate in a little...thanks

 

Yes

 

try adjusting the latch huh

 

Put a new set of rubber stops in my '00 hatch. Was having trouble opening the tailgate. My theory was that the new rubber stops were pushing the hatch out a little causing the problem. A slight adjustment fixed that. Now most people tell you to mess with the rod in the top clip. Make it that the rod is a little farther up or down in that clip. Upper circle in picture. But that thing is fragile. So what you do is disconnect the rod from the green clip in the bottom circle. Give it a spin or two in either direction to get it right. I believe when I did mine I screwed the rod about 2 turns so more threads were exposed on top of the upper clip. Thought the zip tie was a good idea so did that.

 

Thx for the help...I went the easy way first and turned in the rubber bumpers about half a turn maybe a little more seemed to be all it needed. I hate taking off any of the interior covers...I always seem to break off the little plastic Christmas tree holders. Thx again