Yesterday the tailgate on our 1998 XC70 stopped opening. Anyone have this happen and is it something that can be fixed easily?
How do I remove the inside panel?

Thanks in advance.

 

Try push the tailgate from outside inward while holding on to handle release.. and try to pull it open.. if it opens adjust the door striker... if not may need to break tailgate panel... Even till 07 V70 the striker needs adjustment once in a while... It happens often as I've seen.

 

Same thing, the latchno longer engages. I had to remove the tailgate panel and adjust the metal rod from the handle down to the latch by bending or straightening it. Seemed like the plastic parts at the end of it had worn, necessitating the adjustment. Don't remember exactly how I got the trim off. Start at the bottom I think, feel for the clips and pry outward/downward on the panel. The two piece trim around the handle is a pain - not sure how one is supposed to get that out - I ended up breaking a tab on one side but I could still reinstall it with the broken tab.

 

Once you get the latch adjusted to where it should be, remove the striker bolts and put some red threadlocker on them. This will prevent them from loosening in the future.

 

At times even if u add lock tight it will stay in the proper spot for a yr or a few but it will eventually shift again since the striker take a hit all the time when slamming tailgate close... no way to avoid but need to keep an eye on when it start to get stuck

 

So it sounds like there is not easy way to get the panel off of the inside of the gate. Right now it's closed and I can't get it to open. I guess I will dig into the panel over the holiday weekend.