Mine doesn't seem to close all the way. The ends by the tail lights stick out. As a result the hole hatch rattles. Anyway to adjust it? I didn't see anything in the helms book I have.

Thanks

Check the bolts on the side that the hatch catches on. They might be loose.

Bolts are not loose. Nothing is loose. It just sticks out, & rattles. I have comfirmed it is the hatch itself & nothing else.

mine does that only when you don't close it good,

so i friggin' slam it good and then it closed :D

I have what sounds like the same problem. Hatch closes and latches, but it doesn't close all the way. "door-ajar" light comes on. Relatively mild pressure with the palm of my hand on both sides of the hatch click it in further and solidly closed.

I've tried slamming it closed harder and closing it gently, and it still does the same thing. My Chilton's also doesn't show a way to adjust it.

I'm guessing that the studs/bolts for the latches need to be tweaked, but I haven't looked that closely at it yet.

Bump

You could just give it a little tap like I did. http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=112267
It definitley doesn't rattle now - its closed pretty firmly. There are some gaps on the sides though.

Sure, it probably doesn't rattle anymore, but what do you about the leaks when it rains?

Oh, never mind. You are in AZ. What am I talking about. ;)

two things
Ford uses two stage latches.
Meaning two clicks.
Check to make sure you hear TWO clicks per side.
If you hear two, and it still rattles, move the striker IN.
If you hear one click, first check to see if both stages are operational.
Stick a screw driver in there and latch it with the screwdriver.
( ya gotta push hard )
Two clicks? Golden !!!
One click, replace the latch.
Okay If it has just one click and the latch is found to be functional, move the striker OUT.
Do the adjustments in small incraments. You may have to go backwards a bit, but it will eventually fall into place.

Good luck.

try putting lube on latch and related hardware, you may need to remove interior panel to access latch mechanism. worked on my 91

I repleced the hatch strikers on the sides with new ones, & that solved it. It closes tight now. Not sure why, I didn't adjust anything, or maybe I did & don't know it. $15 each though!
Thanks for the help.