Power Liftgate Drive Unit - Removal

REMOVAL

WARNING: To avoid serious or fatal injury, during service lift the ball socket end retaining clip only far enough to release the socket from the ball stud. Excessive prying or removal of the clip may result in improper clip spring tension. Improper clip tension may result in the support cylinder separating from the ball stud causing sudden, unexpected loss of liftgate support.





1. Disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable.
2. Open and support the liftgate with a suitable prop.
3. Remove the trim from the inside of the left D-pillar (3). D-Pillar Trim Panel - Removal.
4. Disconnect the power liftgate Power Drive Unit (PDU) pigtail wire connector (1) from the body wire harness connector (2) on the inside of the D-pillar.





5. Unseat the grommet (3) of the PDU (2) pigtail wire from the clearance hole in the upper left liftgate opening trough and pull the connector through the clearance hole.





6. Insert a small flat-bladed tool (3) into the notch on the outer face of the ball socket end (1) on the lower end of the PDU and carefully pry the retaining clip (2) outward while pulling the ball socket away from the ball stud (4) on the liftgate.
7. Release the retaining clip to its installed position.
8. Repeat Step 6 and Step 7 for the ball socket on the upper end of the PDU at the left liftgate opening trough.
9. Remove the PDU from the vehicle as a unit.