Difficulty mounting liftgate

[Juanhmi]

Replaced my liftgate, and have it closing fine but I have this huge gap at the top. I’ve tried loosening the bolts and adjusting on the hinges, but it doesn’t seem to make a difference. Something I’m missing?

 

[amj441]

I assume the hatch was replaced due to an accident? have you replaced the hinges? do you have a picture of the old hatch?

 

[Juanhmi]

No accident - the metal was cracking around where the hinge bolts on the old hatch. I suppose it’s possible that the hinge is also worn or bent and I should have grabbed "new" hinges at the junkyard too?

 

[dvdswan]

Was the donor the same year?

I'm assuming, but is the gap at the bottom good?

 

[BKennedy]

I'm going to guess the hinge plate on the body is pulled out or otherwise not aligned. It's happened to my 1994 a few times.

You can knock the hinge plate back inward until the gap is correct. Small taps with a hand sledge. Or, cut a piece of wood the same size as the plate and hit that with t the hammer.

 

[Juanhmi]

Yep, same trim level even.

 

[Juanhmi]

I'm going to guess the hinge plate on the body is pulled out or otherwise not aligned. It's happened to my 1994 a few times.

You can knock the hinge plate back inward until the gap is correct. Small taps with a hand sledge. Or, cut a piece of wood the same size as the plate and hit that with t the hammer.

I’ll give it a whack with the baby sledge. Just eyeballing it, it really doesn’t look like it has much room to adjust, but anything’s worth a shot. My headliner’s already peeled back a little in case I need to loosen.