'86 Bronco II rear hatch latch.....

[mjonesjr]

How do I adjust it? The driver side doesn't latch......it moves free, just no latching......is there a way to adjust it?

 

[MAKG]

Probably the rod popped off, or the latch or handle is broken. All can be gotten at the dealer if necessary, and they aren't as expensive as you think. Take the plastic off and feel inside to figure out what's happening.

You can get them at the junkyard as well, but they may not be in the best shape.

 

[mjonesjr]

with the cover off, you just feel back there? just wanting to clearify.....

 

[MAKG]

I mean the interior plastic moulding on the back of the liftgate.

If you can see back there, that's great. But if I remember right, there are too many bits of sheet metal in the way. You CAN, however, reach back there.

And those latches seem to survive nicely in the junkyard, but the handles break.

 

[mjonesjr]

yea my latch seems to work fine if i manual close it...and when i turn the handle it will pop open...it is almost like the door isnt' getting shut all the way, but i have pushed it in pretty far...

 

[MAKG]

Check your strikers for damage. If they don't look perfect, replace one or both. Help! sells these brand new, or you can find another in the junkyard. You need a Torx driver to get them off.

If they are damaged at all, they can prevent one side from latching. And this is like a 60 second repair.

 

[mjonesjr]

they look fine...i am going to try to replacing the latch....

 

[alaskan155]

is there a little piece of PVC over the striker, if not thats ur problem.

 

[MAKG]

There IS an adjustment on those latches, but if there aren't scuff marks under the bolts to show a previous location, it isn't likely that adjustment is the problem. And these are quite difficult to bend up.

Try actuating the latch by hand. You can pry it closed with your fingers (be careful not to pinch yourself) without actually closing the liftgate. If they won't close, they may just be worn or broken. Make sure you open them before trying to close the liftgate for real.... You can pull on the rods from the inside to see if they release properly.

If it all works, I'd try adjusting. Just loosen the mounting bolts and move it around.

 

[mjonesjr]

they close if i close them manually by hand....there aren't any markings by the mounting bolts....i pulled one of them out yesterday and it looked like the hole in the latch for it was perfectly round with no room for play....

the striker rod hasn't got the plastic ring on either side...

 

[MAKG]

the striker rod hasn't got the plastic ring on either side...

I believe the door strikers are the same. Compare them.

And replace them both if they are different (as it really sounds they are).

 

[mjonesjr]

i will look at them when i get home...

 

[MAKG]

And FYI, I was wrong about the latches being adjustible. It's the STRIKERS that are.

But it's the same deal; if it moved, you ought to be able to see where it moved from.

 

[mjonesjr]

i will take a look when i get home...thanks for the heads up...

 

[mr_manny]

And FYI, I was wrong about the latches being adjustible. It's the STRIKERS that are.

But it's the same deal; if it moved, you ought to be able to see where it moved from.

Was hoping Hatch Latches were adjustable.
I've already adjusted the striker, doesn't seem to tighten up against the body.

The mechanism seems to work, when latched by hand.
Passenger side feels solid.

Guess I need a new striker.