Rear Hatch Adjustment?

[Runnin'OnEmpty]

Hi all. My 'new' 96 Sport has a hatch that's too hard to close. It has to be slammed a couple times before it'll catch, and it's too hard for the wife to operate.

I don't see an adjustment on the striker bar, and none on the latch mechanism. Are the rubber side bumpers the only way to adjust the hatch?

Thanks,
ROE

[DeadEyeJ]

I think the striker bolt itself adjusts. If I remember right it has a big torx hole in it. Get the proper torx bit, should be about a T45, and loosen it just like a bolt. Adjust to taste and tighten. Enjoy.

Jared:patriot:

[ClassicXJ]

If you're latch mechanism is anything like the latch on my 98 then you can take off the rear gate interior trim piece and there is a threaded rod that can adjust the latching mechanism. Had to do it to mine when the gate wouldn't close.

[AZ Jeff]

On the fiberglass hatch models of the XJ, the latch itself ***IS*** adjustable. The latch has a bolster plate on the outside of the 'glass hatch that has 3(?) screws that attach the latch to the hatch. Loosen those, and the latch can move in and out, and right and left.

I adjusted mine on my 1992 a couple of times this way with great sucess.

[smccollamjr]

My '96 was doing that. Turned some WD-40 on the latch mechanism on the hatch took care of it.

[Runnin'OnEmpty]

Thanks for all the advice, guys. My 96 is the last year of the fiberglass hatches. I found two nuts that are accessed from underneath the bumper, that loosen the striker post. I tapped it backward 1/8", turned the side bumpers in a turn or two, and lubed the latch mechanism with white grease. The hatch works great now, and closes with normal pressure.
Thanks again for the help,
ROE
:party: