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99XJ rear hatch intermittently doesn't like a simple yank on the latch to open. At these times I've discovered it takes a 2-handed approach - one hand pressing inward on the license plate lite cover, while the other operates the latch. This is aggravating because i usually have only one hand available since I'm carrying something that needs to be loaded into the back of the Jeep!

Any ideas on what might be out of whack or could be adjusted to resolve this. please?

Much ablidged dudes.

 

Pop the panel off a bit from the inside, and pull up on the rod. Once you do this, open the hatch and remove the panel completely, there is a plastic clip that holds the rod. You can adjust this to make it open easier.

 

http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f11/f...-today-653140/

Take care of it before it gets worse. If you have to do it with the hatch shut it's a huge pain in the ***.

 

The photos in the link are what you need. Be sure to lube all the latch parts, you won't believe how slick the latch works afterwards.

 

Good advice here. Once they get stuck - then you're stuck!

 

I actually had my latch mechanism on my '99 completely seize up the other day. It was actually not very hard to fix. The interior panel where it meets the glass can be pulled away with ease (its flexible plastic) and you can reach in and unlatch the hatch. With it opened, just take off the panel and fix the latch. I cleaned mine up with PB blaster and it works fine again.