W123 Wagon tailgate stuck closed.

I searched on the topic and all I found was Kent Bergsma pitching his wonderlube and miracle paint for the latch and back panel. Good advice about drilling a weephole and preventing corrosion along the back pocket.

I got the inside panel off, the lever seems to move things, but no release. I put a foot on the door, but since it's not a beater, I didn't do what I was thinking, work the latch and beat on it.

Any ideas and experience?

__________________
CC: NSA

All things are burning, know this and be released.

82 Benz 240 D, Kuan Yin
12 Ford Escape 4wd

You're four times

It's hard to

more likely to

concentrate on

have an accident

two things

when you're on

at the same time.

a cell phone.

www.kiva.org It's not like there's anything wrong with feeling good, is there?

Recall this happening to mine a long time ago, pulled the panel like you did, pulled and pushed on the linkages and it released. IIRC correctly to remove the latch assembly required either locking or unlocking the lock in the tailgate. It was a very tight fit and the lock position made the difference.

Pretty sure I have a latch assembly if you need it, IF I can locate it. Let me know if you need it and I'll look.

Good luck!!!

__________________
"Rudeness is a weak man's imitation of strength" - Eric Hoffer

I'll pull and poke at it some more this weekend then. Thanks.

__________________
CC: NSA

All things are burning, know this and be released.

82 Benz 240 D, Kuan Yin
12 Ford Escape 4wd

You're four times

It's hard to

more likely to

concentrate on

have an accident

two things

when you're on

at the same time.

a cell phone.

www.kiva.org It's not like there's anything wrong with feeling good, is there?

Victory screech! Pulled upper trim and tailgate door card out from the inside. The door card fits into a plastic u channel at the bottom, so you can lift it out and put is someplace safe one the various fasners are undone. It is easier to look in there when the door card is completely out of the way. Sprayed liquid wrench on the works from both sides and wiggled things around a lot. There is a round hole that just asks you to stick your finger in there and do something. I think I was finally successful with a sort of come here/G-spot sort of motion. A picture of the latch operating with the various innner outer latch and lock linkages would inform future efforts.

Edit: Stuck again.
Edit Edit: It works now.

__________________
CC: NSA

All things are burning, know this and be released.

82 Benz 240 D, Kuan Yin
12 Ford Escape 4wd

You're four times

It's hard to

more likely to

concentrate on

have an accident

two things

when you're on

at the same time.

a cell phone.

www.kiva.org It's not like there's anything wrong with feeling good, is there?