Cherokee - Wagoneer Tailgates - Jeep 1979 CJ-5 Technical & Service Manual

LIFTGATES—TAILGATES
Sl-I
Maintenance of Rubber Sealers
Cold weather may cause the rubber sealer to harden
and lose resiliency. This may cause the tailgate to loosen
in it opening, resulting in noise. When servicing, use a
dampened cloth to clean rubber sealer. Clean dirt from
all points where the rubber sealer contacts the body.
Apply AMC Silicone Lubricant or equivalent to rubber
sealer.
CAUTION: Do not use graphite, brake fluid, or wax on
rubber sealer.
GENERAL
The tailgate is a horizontally hinged unit equipped
with a manual or electrically operated window regu-
lator. An access hole in the inner panel is for installing
and servicing the window regulator and latch assemblies
(fig.3H-2).
The torque rods serve to counterbalance and assist in
opening as well as closing the tailgate.
Tailgate hinges are accessible at the body side of the
hinge for easier adjustment or replacement.
Tailgate weatherseal is body-mounted for better wind
and water-leak resistance.
ADJUSTMENT
Tailgate adjustment is similar to side door adjust-
ments; proper alignment is obtained by changing the
position of the hinges relative to the body and tailgate.
On models equipped with carpeting, remove carpeting to
gain access to hinge cover plates. Cherokee and Wagon-
eer vehicles have hinge cover plates in the body floor and
tailgate for easy access to hinge screws (fig. 3H-2). The
dovetail assemblies, which stabilize the tailgate and
function as an overslam bumper, are adjusted by bring-
ing the dovetail studs into alignment with the dovetail
cap. The dovetail studs are located on the body pillars
near the striker plates, and are adjustable. The dovetail
caps are located on the tailgate and are nonadjustable.
Replacement
Replacement rubber sealers are coated with powder to
prevent stickiness in storage. Remove all powder with a
dampened cloth before installation.
(1) Carefully remove rubber sealer from tailgate
using needle-nose pliers to remove plastic retainers from
tailgate panel holes.
(2) Remove dust and dirt from rubber sealer, tail-
gate, and body.
(3) Install lower corner of rubber sealer to tailgate
first.
(4) Press plastic retainers into tailgate panel holes.
Page
3H-7
3H-8
31-1
3H-7
Hinges
(1) Remove dovetail studs from body pillars.
(2) If equipped with carpeting, remove carpeting to
gain access to hinge cover plates.
(3) Remove two body hinge cover plates.
(4) Loosen screws attaching hinges to body and ad-
just floating plates until lower portion of tailgate closes
flush or underflush with body sheet metal to ensure
proper compression of weatherseal. Tighten hinge
screws to 15 to 20 foot-pounds (20 to 27 N*m) torque.
(5) Install body hinge cover plates and carpeting, if
equipped.
(6) Install and adjust dovetail studs.
Dovetail Assemblies
(1) Loosen dovetail stud locking nuts.
(2) Close tailgate into locks.
(3) Adjust dovetail studs, using Torx Bit Tool J-
25359-02, into dovetail caps and tighten stud locking
nuts.
(4) Check tailgate for proper alignment and adjust-
ment. Be sure tailgate latches properly with strikers and
dovetails align into caps.
Striker Assemblies
(1) Loosen dovetail stud locking nuts.
(2) Latch teeth should be aligned and nest in the
center of the strikers.
C H E R O K E E - W A G O N E E R
T A I L G A T E S
Page
Adjustment
3H-5*
Lock System
General
3H-S
Power Tail gate Window System
leplacement
3H-e
iio r:\ivai
Installation
3H-7
Window System