Liftgate Wont open after Striker Replacement

[xplorx4]

I recently picked up a 1999 Explorer Sport. The tailgate was rattling, so I replaced the 2 rear strikers. I then closed the gate, and it will no longer open (I installed the new strikers in the same adjustment location as the old ones). I pried the interior plastic back a bit, and the rods seem to be still connected? Any idea why the latches are not releasing? I will probably try to remove the panel from the inside and look a little closer if I can get it removed. It did stop rattling though lol.

Thanks

 

[wollimann]

If you move the rods manually the latches should release and your liftgate should open.






Maybe i takes a little bit of force to persuade the latches to release.
Glass opens?

 

[xplorx4]

Yes the glass does open. I will pull the panel this week and see if I can pull those latch releases a bit more.

I thought maybe I pulled the door in too close to the body with the new strikers?, And it won't release. Hopefully they will release.
Thanks

 

[wollimann]

too close to the body with the new strikers?

New strikers are the matching ones? If the liftgate is open you will see some marks on the new strikers,
so you can readjust them if nessesary. Good luck!

 

[xplorx4]

New strikers are the matching ones? If the liftgate is open you will see some marks on the new strikers,
so you can readjust them if nessesary. Good luck!

I used OEM Ford Strikers P/N E4TZ 98404A42-A Says they are for Bronco lls and Explorers.

 

[Pete Deering]

I recently picked up a 1999 Explorer Sport. The tailgate was rattling, so I replaced the 2 rear strikers. I then closed the gate, and it will no longer open (I installed the new strikers in the same adjustment location as the old ones). I pried the interior plastic back a bit, and the rods seem to be still connected? Any idea why the latches are not releasing? I will probably try to remove the panel from the inside and look a little closer if I can get it removed. It did stop rattling though lol.

Thanks

1. Do you hear lock release?
2. Try grasping the bottom lip of the door, too open it.
3. Is the door ajar light on the dash lite?

A) When I was Replacing my door strike. I notice that, if the plastic sleeve on the strike pin the lock does not latch, but the door will close.
B) if the striker pin is high, the lock hook, is jam on the striker pin.
C. I mark the pin location, in all direction and that did not work. If you remove the plastic sleeve and leave the pin a little loose. Close the hatch.
D) if you remove the tail light, you can see the lock assembly a little.
E) think of the lock latch as this
180 degrees --- open
270 degrees --- semi closes
360 degrees --- locked

 

[xplorx4]

1. Do you hear lock release?
2. Try trap the bottom lip of the door, too open it.
3. Is the door ajar light on the dash lite?

A) When I was Replacing my door strike. I notice that, if the plastic sleeve on the strike pin the lock does not latch, but the door will close.
B) if the striker pin is high, the lock hook, is jam on the striker pin.
C. I mark the pin location, in all direction and that did not work. If you remove the plastic sleeve and leave the pin a little loose. Close the hatch.
D) if you remove the tail light, you can see the lock assembly a little.
E) think of the lock latch as this
180 degrees --- open
270 degrees --- semi closes
360 degrees --- locked

No door adjar, I tried pulling, pushing, door will not open. And door does unlock. I can feel the difference in the way the handle pulls when unlocked. So I can still remove the tail lights somehow with the gate closed?
Also this is why I replaced strikers. the plastic on the pins was broken off.

 

[wollimann]

bolts for rear lights are covered by tailgate, so no way.

 

[Pete Deering]

No door adjar, I tried pulling, pushing, door will not open. And door does unlock. I can feel the difference in the way the handle pulls when unlocked. So I can still remove the tail lights somehow with the gate closed?
Also this is why I replaced strikers. the plastic on the pins was broken off.

The plastic sleeve are the problem. I did not have the right diameter sleeves. There is a member on the forum, who found Them on eBay. the right diameter sleeve.
I am thinking the pins are too high.

 

[xplorx4]

The plastic sleeve are the problem. I did not have the right diameter sleeves. There is a member on the forum, who found Them on eBay. the right diameter sleeve.
I am thinking the pins are too high.

I should have measured the diameter of the original sleeves before installing. I think they are correct, but I think the door is not completely releasing the latches.

 

[Pete Deering]

I should have measured the diameter of the original sleeves before installing. I think they are correct, but I think the door is not completely releasing the latches.

You are correct. The diameter of sleeve is a thousand larger And that the problem.
The latch is not releasing. I ran into the same problem with my doors. The correct sleeve needed to be heated up to get on the pin. I put back just the pins and everything was fine except for the play.

 

[xplorx4]

You are correct. The diameter of sleeve is a thousand larger And that the problem.
The latch is not releasing. I ran into the same problem with my doors. The correct sleeve needed to be heated up to get on the pin. I put back just the pins and everything was fine except for the play.

Hopefully I can get it to open. Ugh