Tailgate Latch: my issue with it

ok, to start off with, I have a 1999 XJ it is simple, no power options except the mirrors. When i first got it, it had an issue with the latch, it liked to come shut after you opened it, and it wouldnt open up unless you took the inside of your tailgate off and opened it through there. When all this first happened i learned how the latch more or less works. Well about a week or two ago, i went somewhere and had locked my XJ up, so when i made it home my tailgate handle had somehow disconnected itself from the latch mechanism. i figured out how to put that together, an i am currently looking for ways to permanently fix the separation issue. So, any suggestions are welcome.

To fix this problem, first of course you have to take the inside of the tailgate off, which is clips and 8 phillips head screws, pretty simple.
then you should see this:
http://i1052.photobucket.com/albums/...ps09b20c69.jpg

locate this piece on the mechanism, it will be on the left side.
http://i1052.photobucket.com/albums/...ps13877210.jpg
to fix this, pull up on the handle, or push on this piece:
http://i1052.photobucket.com/albums/...psdf06c25c.jpg
(the black tab should be over the bar)
then you push the button:
http://i1052.photobucket.com/albums/...ps668ff1b4.jpg
it has to go into the grooves on the piece to the far left
http://i1052.photobucket.com/albums/...ps04928ba1.jpg
and should sit like this: (not a good picture, but hard to take at that angle)
http://i1052.photobucket.com/albums/...ps92f5f570.jpg
then it should be working again

then i got bored and made my XJ a small plaque
http://i1052.photobucket.com/albums/...ps6c01d10b.jpg

I don't have a good idea other than replacing the mechanism all together, but I'm glad you posted up! Looking forward to seeing some suggestions on a permanent fix!

i thought about putting a very small weld on the opening of the slot, so it couldnt come out

a little dab OF PLASTIC WELDER?

does it stick to steel?

Yeah, something like JB Weld should stick to plastic.

Try 3M Scotch weld DP420 if you can find it. Seen some shops use it to run pressure tests. Graphite plant I used to work at used it for high pressure testing bonding graphite tubes and rubber gaskets. The gasket once it sealed and cured was almost impossible to remove. If it cures right it will hold.


Sent from my bulletproof iPhone using the Flapmyjaws app :)

well the slot i was gonna close up is made of a metal, the plastic isnt the issue,