4bitdecoder

Sorry if this has already been posted...

The handle to open the rear door "sticks" (the one above the license plate). When I pull it, the door opens, but the handle doesn't spring back and it makes it a total pain to close the door. I have to manually push the handle back so the gate will latch and sometimes still doesn't close properly.

I want to fix this, does anyone know what I have to do? Do I have to dismantled the entire door, or is there a simple way to do this? Any advice is appreciated.

midiwall

Mine's been doing this for a few years - it's especially a PITA when the door's locked. You have to push the handle back, then unlock...

Anyway... The "right" way would be to open up the hatch and grease everything - it's not hard, that inner panel pops out like a side door panel. You might be able to get away with shooting some WD40 in there with a long nozzle on the can, but the down side there is that WD40 will tend to dissolve any grease that may still be floating around.



(btw... welcome to YT!)

97Limited

Just spray the latch with some oil. Its the latch that sticks, its exposed to road grime!!

vegaskurt

Mine did the same thing. If you take the back inside panel off the tail gate you can get to the handle mechanism. I remember taking mine out and greasing the cable and spring that actuates the handle. Its been working great for a year now.

4bitdecoder

Thanks for the responses. Does anyone have a link or tips on how to take the back panel off?

HuskyRunner

It's really alot eeasier than it looks. First, pop off the bolt cover on the door pull, then remove the bolt and pull. Using a slotted screwdriver (maybe with a cloth over the end), and starting at one corner just gently pry the plastic cover up (there are a fair amount of clips) Now you'll see two panels that are held on by 10mm bolts. remove one or both to get at what you need. If you've got some bike chain lube I'd recommend putting some on the cablethat runs from the handle to the latch. It will really help-much better than WD 40, because it will stay slippery, and not attract dust.

MTL_4runner

They all seem to do this eventually, mine does this every so often but all I have to do is hit lock, then unlock on my remote and the handle comes back to where it should and I can open the rear door. If you want to fix it for good, take huskyrunner's advice, expose the inner handle mechanism and be a use some white lithium grease on the assembly.

4bitdecoder

Well, I took the panel off as suggested and greased the cable and also the inside of the latch. The handle is now un-stuck! And I didn't break anything in the process (I think).

I still have a problem with the latch not closing properly. I figured that it was due to the handle issue, but I guess not. The assembly at the bottom that actually latches the door seems to get twisted around and the door won't close properly. When I close it, it makes a "thunk" noise and rattles about and the door can move about 1/2" when it's closed. Pulling the handle still releases it. Anyway, I pulled off the assembly and greased it up and still the same problem.

Has anyone else run into this before? Is it easier just to replace that part altogether?

MTL_4runner

So are you saying there's alot of play in the hinge or the lock itself when closed?
.....some clarification would help.

HuskyRunner

Check out this thread - I had the same problem.https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f2/tailgate-latch-return-105730/

4bitdecoder

Thanks - that is the *exact* same problem! I did a search on the forum before posting this but I guess I missed your earlier post. Now I just have to see if I can dig up a replacement somewhere...