Liftgate Outside Door Handle

REMOVAL

NOTE: The liftgate outside door handle is an integral part of the rear license plate housing and bracket. If the liftgate outside door handle is damaged, the rear license plate housing and bracket must be replaced as an assembly.

1. Open liftgate.
2. Remove liftgate inside trim panel.
3. Inspect handle mechanism and verify door handle actuating rod has not come loose from actuator mounting bracket.







4. Remove 12 nuts retaining rear reflector and socket to liftgate. Remove rear reflector and socket.







5. Release door latch rod retainer and remove the liftgate lock cylinder to release rod from rear license plate housing and bracket.







6. Remove two retaining nuts and remove liftgate lock cylinder from liftgate.







7. Release door latch rod retainer and remove back window latch rod from rear license plate housing and bracket.

Liftgate Latch:

8. Release door latch rod retainer and remove liftgate latch release rod from rear license plate housing and bracket.
9. Remove license plate light sockets from rear license plate housing and bracket by twisting one-quarter turn and lifting bulb and socket out of rear license plate housing and bracket.







10. Disconnect electrical connectors for lock actuator and liftgate open switch at rear license plate housing and bracket.
11. Remove three nuts retaining rear license plate housing and bracket to liftgate. Remove rear license plate housing and bracket from liftgate.
12. Remove three retaining nuts and remove actuator mounting bracket from rear license plate housing and bracket.

INSTALLATION
1. Follow procedure in reverse order.
2. Transfer existing parts onto new rear license plate housing and bracket.
3. Tighten retaining nuts for rear license plate housing and bracket to 3-4 Nm (27-35 lb-in).
4. Tighten retaining nuts for liftgate lock to 6-8 Nm (54-70 lb-in).
5. Tighten retaining nuts for rear reflector and socket to 1-2 Nm (9-17 lb-in).