W124 Wagon Liftgate

[Saturnfan]

Hello. I just bought a 1987 300TD. I've since gotten the engine running and the transmission to shift. The rear hatch doesn't open, and I was told it hasn't worked in years.
The key goes in, and it does lock and unlock. I have the panel pulled apart on the inside. I can lift on the handle, and it pulls and pushes on several rods and such. I truly have no idea what I'm looking at, as I've never worked on a wagon before. What does it even grab on to when it's closed? A loop, or a stud, or something on the body of the car?