Removal and Replacement
LIFTGATEREMOVAL
1. Release liftgate latch and open liftgate.
2. Disconnect and isolate the negative battery cable.
3. Remove the trim panels as necessary and lower the rear of the headliner.
4. Disconnect the body wire harness connector (2) from the liftgate wire harness connector (1).
5. Disconnect the rear window washer hoses (3).
6. Disengage the rubber grommets for the washer hose and liftgate wire harness from the roof header and push the washer hose and liftgate wire harness and connector out through the holes in the roof header.
7. Support the liftgate (1) with a suitable lifting device.
8. Remove the gas support rod pivot bolts from the liftgate and position the support rods out of the way.
9. With the help of an assistant, remove the three bolts that secure each liftgate hinge (2) to the roof header (3) and carefully remove the liftgate from the vehicle.
INSTALLATION
1. With the help of an assistant, carefully position the liftgate to the rear of the vehicle and loosely install the three bolts that secure each liftgate hinge (2) to the roof header (3).
2. Support the liftgate with a suitable lifting device.
3. Tighten the two outer liftgate hinge bolts to 33 N.m (24 ft. lbs.) and the center bolt to 12 N.m (105 in. lbs.).
4. Position the gas liftgate support rods to the liftgate and install the pivot bolts. Tighten the pivot bolts to 28 N.m (21 ft. lbs.).
5. Remove the lifting device.
6. Route the liftgate wire harness and connector (1) through the opening in the roof header (4) and seat the rubber grommet in the header.
7. Connect the liftgate wire harness connector to the body wire harness connector (2).
8. Route the rear washer hose (3) through the opening in the roof header and seat the rubber grommet in the header.
9. Connect the rear washer hoses.
10. Reconnect the negative battery cable.
11. Align the liftgate. The liftgate should fit flush and have even gaps to adjacent body panels. Gap specifications are as follows:
- 7 mm (0.280 in.) to the fascia.
- 6 mm (0.240 in.) to the roof header.
- 4 mm (0.160 in.) to the body side.
12. Reinstall the headliner and trim panels as necessary.