I replaced my tailgate latch on my 98 V70T5 Turbo but I didn't go the conventiional route to get the latch unhinged by busting it up. no. I just took the trim out from the inside around the gate, careful not to break any of the plastic held in by 9 hex screws. Then I took the 2 hex bolts out of the hinge and the whole piece came up with the door and hinge intact. I then just stuck a thin screwdriver in the lacth area and jimmy'd it a bit and it let go. I then put the hinge back on and adjusted it and put loc-tite on the bolts so they wouldn't move anymore. then I removed the old latch in one big piece with all the levers and rods attached. unhooked the parts I would reuse like the lever and rods, trashed the old latch, reversed the procedure, sprayed the entire latch with white lithium grease, careful not to get any on the electronic parts, just the plastic moving and metal pieces, and reassembled everything. now the door opens and closes like it was brand new. soft and quiet. the whole job took about 2 hours. it went by fast because it was a Monday night and I was listening to the football game on the radio...lol

Tailgate has been locked shut for 3 whole years!!...can you believe that?!..I am too happy!!


Tailgate latch = $154.78 (ordered from Autohauz)
Labor = FREE
DIY Experience= Priceless

I saved about $280 in Labor and taxes from the shop.

 

My wife's 2001 V70 has a tailgate latch that is frozen shut. The lock fuse is OK. I can't get it to unlock, and so I can't open the tailgate to remove the panel and get access to the lock. I've tried pulling the panel forward, reaching my hand down toward the lock, and moving the white plastic piece that's connected to the locking mechanism (this was mentioned in a previous discussion), but it doesn't budge. I thought about cutting the panel so that I could have better access to the lock, but if there's another way?? Thanks ahead time!

 

Can you post a picture of where you took screws out to get the door apart so we can have a clue how to get it loose?