Liftgate Hinges

[rayman051]

Help-somehow while trying to adjust my liftgate side to side I managed to screw up the gapping at the top and sides. There is about a 1inch gap at the top when closed. I managed to bend the top of the liftgate. Are the hinges messed up or can I adjust the hinge to body effectively? Anybody have this problem?

 

[MONMIX]

why were you adjusting it in the first place ?

If it was not hit in any sort of way the hinges should be fine.

The best way to adjust the hinges is with the shocks removed. Yes I know the hatch is heavy as a *****, but the force of the shocks will push on the lift gate, likely in a way you dont want it to go. I also remove the strikers when doing this as well. Once the gate is dead center and opens and closes well then I add both shocks, recheck the fit. If that is good than I add one strkier at a time getting that correctly adjusted before I add the other strkier.

 

[rayman051]

I was being **** about 1/4 in. difference side to side. Big mistake!!!! Because of that I screwed everything up. I'll give your way a try and hope for the best. Thanks alot.

 

[jdav]

Lift Gate Adjustment

Have you solved the problem with the crack at the top of the lift gate after attempting to adjust it? I am having the the very same problem after I attempted to adjust the door on my wife's 99 Explorer. Any imformation would be greatly appreciated.