Tailgate handle - not quite releasing

[912R]

Hi everyone,

After many, many years of VWs (I have been a moderator on vwvortex.com for many years), we have brought a Volvo back into the fold - however this is the first one I've owned built this milennium (after about 8 240s) - we just picked up a 2004 XC70. It's great to be back in some Swedish iron (especially considering the XC70 is replacing a Honda Odyssey!).

My wife had troubles with the tailgate last night at the dog park - when you pull the release handle, it gets to where it should have released, and you have to give it juuuuuuust a little extra - but a little too much oomph is required. To me, it feels like wear in there (anyone had to replace the tailgate or door handle on a 245 and you know where I'm headed).

I did a search and came up snake eyes - has anyone had to R&R the tailgate handle, or is there a particular weak point there? I plan to dig into it this weekend, but thought I'd canvas the wisdom of the BTDT group.

Cheers,
Keith

[acools]

Not aware of particular weak points, but I would start by removing the interior panel and looking at the door lock mechanism, and the actuators.
Might be some wear there.

Best of luck,

Andres

[TheDarkKnightt]

There is a chance that it might just need a cleaning and some silicone lube.

Mine was full of dirt and debris and was "sticky." Cleaned, and it worked just fine!

If think all the dirt and dust flying behind the car works it's way in there and gunks up the works.

[JRL]

I agree
First adjust and grease (grease well with a lot of grease. Wipe off any excess).
If that doesn't work and nothing in there looks bent, you may need a new one.
They do fail quite often

[912R]

Mine was full of dirt and debris and was "sticky." Cleaned, and it worked just fine!

If think all the dirt and dust flying behind the car works it's way in there and gunks up the works.

Your handle was gunked up, or the actual catch at the bottom of the door?

At any rate, a good cleaning, lubing and adjustment sounds pretty prudent. Does anyone know if there's any "tricks" to gettting the interior panel off the tailgate?

[JRL]

Why?
For cleaning this is not necessary

[912R]

Why?
For cleaning this is not necessary

I think the problem lies in the handle, not the latch. The tailgate seems to unlatch fine, it's the handle that requires a lot of force to open. I.e. you don't have to pull on the tailgate hard to get it to open, you only have to squeeze the heck out of the handle to get it to pop.

Regardless, I'll give it all a once over.

[JRL]

I know what you're saying but it's almost always not the handle itself.
While you're at it, try opening the hatch while at the same time pushing the hatch INwards towards the front of the car.

PUSH in and PULL the latch handle up at the same time.
If it's easy that's lubing and an adjustment

[912R]

I know what you're saying but it's almost always not the handle itself.
While you're at it, try opening the hatch while at the same time pushing the hatch INwards towards the front of the car.

PUSH in and PULL the latch handle up at the same time.
If it's easy that's lubing and an adjustment

Thanks - will give that a try (or more importantly, make my wife give it a try since she seems to be the one struggling with it).

[912R]

I know what you're saying but it's almost always not the handle itself.
While you're at it, try opening the hatch while at the same time pushing the hatch INwards towards the front of the car.

PUSH in and PULL the latch handle up at the same time.
If it's easy that's lubing and an adjustment

Yup, that was pretty much it Had to go through it with my wife to get her to push in, then pull the handle, then open. But the handle doesn't always seem to release back, so if it's not fully released, and you unlock it, you have to first push the handle back, then pull it. At any rate, it doesn't seem like anything that a cleaning and a little adjustment won't fix. Thanks guys!