Tailgate Installation/Adjustment

Tailgate Installation/Adjustment

Special Tools Required

- Tailgate Height Step Gauge 07AAG-SJCA100
- Tailgate Left Hinge Alignment Fixture 07AAG-SJCA200

NOTE: Before installing/adjusting the tailgate, do the following setup procedures:

- Remove the tailgate Tailgate Removal.
- Remove the left tailgate upper striker and the right tailgate upper striker.
- Install the right tailgate lower striker on the vehicle with the bolts snug enough to allow the striker to slide up or down.
- Install the left tailgate upper latch and the right tailgate upper latch on the tailgate with the bolts loosely installed.
- Install the left tailgate lower hinge and the right tailgate lower hinge onto the tailgate with the hardware hand tight, allowing some movement of the latch/hinges.
- Install all of the shims (if any) in their original locations.

1. Place the tailgate left hinge alignment fixture (07AAG-SJCA200) over the hinge (A). Insert the pins (B) through the holes in the alignment fixture and into the holes (C) in the hinge. With the fixture located firmly and squarely against the side and the lower edge of the tailgate, apply pressure to the side of the alignment fixture at the side of the tailgate (D) first, and then simultaneously apply pressure to the side of the alignment fixture at the bottom of the tailgate (E). Tighten the hinge mounting bolts hand tight with a TORX T50 bit and a ratchet.






2. Remove the alignment fixture, and torque the three left tailgate hinge mounting bolts to 41 Nm(4.2 kg-m, 30 lb-ft).

3. Position the lower edge of the right tailgate lower hinge (A) 19 mm (0.75 in) below the bottom edge of the tailgate (B). Measure from the hinge at the seam (C). Torque the four right tailgate hinge mounting bolts to specification with a TORX T50 bit. After tightening the bolts, recheck the position measurement.





4. Latch the left tailgate upper latch with a screwdriver.

5. Apply masking tape (A) to the left side of the tailgate (B) and the inside of the tailgate opening on the body (C).






6. Carefully position and hold the tailgate in the tailgate opening, and latch the right tailgate lower latch (A). Continue to hold up the left side of the tailgate, and install the original shims (B) (if any) between the left tailgate lower hinge (C) and the body (D), then loosely install the lower two bolts in the hinge.






7. Lower the tailgate, and loosely install the remaining three bolts into the left tailgate lower hinge.






8. Raise the tailgate, and hold it in place.

9. Apply a strip of masking tape on the right upper side of the tailgate (A). Apply another strip of tape next to it on the body (B).






10. Using the body lines (A) as a guide, hold the right side of the tailgate at the correct height. Make a horizontal line across both strips of tape (B), then make another mark (C) 20 mm(0.79 in) above the first mark on the body side.





11. Carefully use the tailgate lower handle to release the right tailgate lower latch. Do not lower the tailgate.

NOTE: When you release the right tailgate lower latch, the tailgate is only supported by the left tailgate lower hinge.

12. Insert the tailgate height step gauge (07AAG-SJCA100) on top of the right side bumper foam (A), supporting the right side of the tailgate under the hinge. Keep the right lower hinge as close to the striker as possible without touching. Position the step gauge so the mark (B) on the tailgate (made in step 11) aligns with the higher mark (C) on the body side.

NOTE:

- Make sure the left upper corner of the tailgate rests forward against the body.
- Note the step number on the gauge where the latch rests.





13. Insert a pry bar between the right tailgate lower striker and the right tailgate lower hinge. Have an assistant apply pressure to move the tailgate to the left. Take care not to scratch the tailgate or the body.






14. With the assistant still applying pressure, raise the left side of the tailgate (A) to align the body line (B) of the body (C) and the tailgate, and torque the four left tailgate lower hinge bolts.





15. Carefully lift and hold the tailgate in the upward position, and remove the step gauge, allowing the tailgate to sag supported by the left tailgate lower hinge. Do not latch the right tailgate lower latch.

16. Check the height of the right side of the tailgate. The alignment mark (A) made on the tailgate side should line up with the lower alignment mark (B) made on the body side. If the tailgate is not aligned, loosen the two left lower hinge bolts on the body and repeat steps 12 through 15, adjusting the step gauge as needed.

NOTE: When repeating steps 12 through 15, the mark on the tailgate may not align with the mark on the body. The higher mark is only used as a starting point.






17. Still holding the tailgate in the upward position, latch the right tailgate lower latch. Continue to hold the tailgate upward.

18. Move the right tailgate lower striker (A) to align the body lines (B), then torque the three lower strikers bolt.






19. Lower the tailgate, and torque the remaining bolts on the left tailgate lower hinge and the right tailgate lower striker.






20. Raise the tailgate. Inspect the gap (A) between the left upper tailgate and the body.






21. Open the tailgate about 70 mm (2.75 in), and then let go of the tailgate. The tailgate should begin to fall open on its own, if does not, repeat steps 12 through 15 and use the next step lower on the height gauge.





22. Pull the tailgate upper handle to release the left tailgate upper latch, and then lower the tailgate.

23. Install the left body-side striker/hinge with the bolts hands tight, allowing some movement of the striker/hinge.

24. Raise and close the tailgate firmly. The left body-side striker/hinge and the tailgate latch/hinge align themselves. Push in on the upper left of the tailgate and hold it, then tighten the center bolt (A) on the left tailgate upper striker (B) hand tight with a TORX T50 bit and an extension.






25. Torque the three left tailgate upper latch bolts.






26. Lower the tailgate. Remove the nut from the left tailgate upper latch, and apply liquid thread lock to the nut. Reinstall the nut, and tighten it to the specified torque.






27. Torque the left tailgate upper striker bolts, starting with the center bolt first.





28. Install the tailgate support cable Service and Repair.

29. Close the tailgate. Check the flushness of the tailgate to the body at the top of the tailgate. If the left side is out of specification, install or remove shims between the left striker/hinge and the body as needed (go to step 24). If the right side is out specification, install or remove shims between the right tailgate lower hinge and the body as needed (go to step 18).






30. Lower the tailgate, and install the right tailgate upper striker with the two screws hand tight. Make sure the striker is positioned horizontally.






31. With the right tailgate upper latch bolts hand tight, position the latch in the upward position.






32. Close the tailgate, making sure both latches are latched. Make sure the right striker (A) is in the lower range of adjustment within the tailgate latch (B). Grab the top, center of the tailgate, and push and pull it inward and outward a few times to center the right tailgate upper latch.






33. Lower the tailgate. Make sure the right tailgate upper latch alignment marks (A) are at equal positions, then torque the right tailgate upper latch bolts and the right tailgate upper striker screws.





34. With navigation system: Reconnect the tailgate wire harness connector, and reinstall the harness clips into place securely.

35. Loosely install the tailgate trim panel, and check the dual-mode tailgate operation.

36. Check the dual-mode tailgate operation.

NOTE: When closing the tailgate from the lowered position, apply a slow steady pressure to the top, center of the tailgate. Be sure that both the left and right latches close simultaneously. If they latch independently, and the tailgate is not fully latched, the tailgate may not open in swing mode.

37. Install the tailgate trim panel .

38. Check tailgate switch operation Adjustments.

39. Reinstall the taillights Service and Repair.

40. Reinstall the rear bumper Rear Bumper Removal/Installation.