Tailgate Installation/Adjustment

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Special Tools Required

Tailgate height step gauge 07AAG-SJCA100
Tailgate left hinge alignment Fixture 07AAG-SJCA200

NOTE: Before installing/adjusting the tailgate, do the following setup procedures:

Remove the tailgate trim panel (see TAILGATE TRIM PANEL REMOVAL/INSTALLATION ).
Remove the rear bumper (see REAR BUMPER REMOVAL/INSTALLATION ).
Remove the tailgate (see TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLE REPLACEMENT ).
Remove the left tailgate upper striker and the right tailgate upper striker.
Install the right tailgate lower striker on the vehicle with the bolts snug enough to allow the striker to slide up or down.
Install the left tailgate upper latch and the right tailgate upper latch on the tailgate with the bolts loosely installed.
Install the left tailgate lower hinge and the right tailgate lower hinge onto the tailgate with the hardware hand tight, allowing some movement of the latch/hinges.
Install all of the shims (if any) in their original locations.

Place the left tailgate hinge alignment fixture (07AAG-SJCA200) over the hinge (A). Insert the pins (B) through the holes in the alignment fixture and into the holes (C) in the hinge. With the fixture located firmly and squarely against the side and the lower edge of the tailgate, apply pressure to the side of the alignment fixture at the side of the tailgate (D) first, and then simultaneously apply pressure to the side of the alignment fixture at the bottom of the tailgate (E). Tighten the hinge mounting bolts hand tight with a TORX T50 bit and a ratchet.

Fig 1: Inserting Pins Through Holes In Alignment Fixture And Into Holes In Hinge
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Remove the alignment fixture, and torque the three left tailgate hinge mounting bolts to 41 N.m (4.2 kgf.m, 30 lbf.ft).
Position the lower edge of the right tailgate lower hinge (A) 19 mm (0.75 in.) below the bottom edge of the tailgate (B). Measure from the hinge at the seam (C). Torque the four right tailgate hinge mounting bolts to specification with a TORXT50 bit. After tightening the bolts, recheck the position measurement.

Fig 2: Positioning Lower Edge Of Right Tailgate Lower Hinge With Torque Specifications
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Latch the left tailgate upper latch with a screwdriver.
Apply masking tape (A) to the left side of the tailgate (B) and the inside of the tailgate opening on the body (C).

Fig 3: Applying Masking Tape To Left Side Of Tailgate
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Carefully position and hold the tailgate in the tailgate opening, and latch the right tailgate lower latch (A). Continue to hold up the left side of the tailgate, and install the original shims (B) (if any) between the left tailgate lower hinge (C) and the body (D), then loosely install the lower two bolts in the hinge.

Fig 4: Installing Lower Two Bolts In Hinge
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Lower the tailgate, and loosely install the remaining three bolts into the left tailgate lower hinge.

Fig 5: Installing Bolts Into Left Tailgate Lower Hinge
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Raise the tailgate, and hold it in place.
Apply a strip of masking tape on the right upper side of the tailgate (A). Apply another strip of tape next to it on the body (B).

Fig 6: Applying Strip Of Masking Tape On Right Upper Side Of Tailgate
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Using the body lines (A) as a guide, hold the right side of the tailgate at the correct height. Make a horizontal line across both strips of tape (B), then make another mark (C) 20 mm (0.79 in.) above the first mark on the body side.

Fig 7: Making Horizontal Line Across Both Strips Of Tape
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Carefully use the tailgate lower handle to release the right tailgate lower latch. Do not lower the tailgate.
NOTE: When you release the right tailgate lower latch, the tailgate is only supported by the left tailgate lower hinge.
Insert the tailgate height step gauge (07AAG-SJCA100) on top of the right side bumper foam (A), supporting the right side of the tailgate under the hinge. Keep the right lower hinge as close to the striker as possible without touching. Position the step gauge so the mark (B) on the tailgate (made in step 11) aligns with the higher mark (C) on the body side.
NOTE:
- Make sure the left upper corner of the tailgate rests forward against the body.
- Note the step number on the gauge where the latch rests.
Fig 8: Inserting Tailgate Height Step Gauge On Top Of Right Side Bumper Foam
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Insert a pry bar between the right tailgate lower striker and the right tailgate lower hinge. Have an assistant apply pressure to move the tailgate to the left. Take care not to scratch the tailgate or the body.

Fig 9: Inserting Pry Bar Between Right Tailgate Lower Striker And Right Tailgate Lower Hinge
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
With the assistant still applying pressure, raise the left side of the tailgate to align the body line of the body (A) and tailgate (B), and torque the four left tailgate lower hinge bolts.

Fig 10: Raising Left Side Of Tailgate To Align Body Line Of Body With Torque Specifications
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Carefully lift and hold the tailgate in the upward position, and remove the step gauge, allowing the tailgate to sag supported by the left tailgate lower hinge. Do not latch the right tailgate lower latch.
Check the height of the right side of the tailgate. The alignment mark (A) made on the tailgate side should line up with the lower alignment mark (B) made on the body side. If the tailgate is not aligned, loosen the two left lower hinge bolts on the body and repeat steps 12 through 15, adjusting the step gauge as needed.
NOTE: When repeating steps 12 through 15, the mark on the tailgate may not align with the mark on the body. The higher mark is only used as a starting point.

Fig 11: Checking Alignment Mark
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Still holding the tailgate in the upward position, latch the right tailgate lower latch. Continue to hold the tailgate upward.
Move the right tailgate lower striker (A) to align the body lines (B), then torque the three lower striker bolts.

Fig 12: Lower Striker Bolts With Torque Specifications
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Lower the tailgate, and torque the remaining bolts on the left tailgate lower hinge and the right tailgate lower striker.

Fig 13: Left Tailgate Lower Hinge Bolts And One Right Tailgate Lower Striker Bolts With Torque Specifications
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Raise the tailgate. Inspect the gap between the left upper tailgate and the body.

Fig 14: Inspecting Gap Between Left Upper Tailgate And Body With Torque Specifications
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Open the tailgate about 70 mm (2.75 in.), and then let go of the tailgate. The tailgate should begin to fall open on its own, if does not, repeat steps 12 through 15 and use the next step lower on the height gauge.

Fig 15: Opening Tailgate About 70 Mm
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Pull the tailgate upper handle to release the left tailgate upper latch, and then lower the tailgate.
Install the left body-side striker/hinge with the bolts hand tight, allowing some movement of the striker/hinge.
Raise and close the tailgate firmly. The left body-side striker/hinge and the tailgate latch/hinge align themselves. Push in on the upper left of the tailgate and hold it, then tighten the center bolt (A) on the left tailgate upper striker (B) hand tight using a TORX T50 bit and an extension.

Fig 16: Identifying Center Bolt On Left Tailgate Upper Striker
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Torque the three left tailgate upper latch bolts.

Fig 17: Left Tailgate Upper Latch Bolts With Torque Specifications
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Lower the tailgate. Remove the nut from the left tailgate upper latch, and apply liquid thread lock to the nut. Reinstall the nut, and tighten it to the specified torque.

Fig 18: Applying Liquid Thread Lock To Nut With Torque Specifications
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Torque the left tailgate upper striker bolts, starting with the center bolt first.

Fig 19: Left Tailgate Upper Striker Bolts With Torque Specifications
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Install the tailgate support cable (see TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLE REPLACEMENT ).
Close the tailgate. Check the flushness of the tailgate to the body at the top of the tailgate. If the left side is out of specification, install or remove shims between the left striker/hinge and the body as needed (Go to step 24). If the right side is out specification, install or remove shims between the right tailgate lower hinge and the body as needed (Go to step 18).

Fig 20: Checking Flushness Of Tailgate To Body At Top Of Tailgate
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Lower the tailgate, and install the right tailgate upper striker with the two screws hand tight. Make sure the striker is positioned horizontally.

Fig 21: Identifying Right Tailgate Upper Striker With Screws
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
With the right upper tailgate latch bolts hand tight, position the latch in the upward position.

Fig 22: Identifying Right Upper Tailgate Latch Bolts
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Close the tailgate, making sure both latches are latched. Make sure the right striker (A) is in the lower range of adjustment within the tailgate latch (B). Grab the top, center of the tailgate, and push and pull it inward and outward a few times to center the right upper tailgate latch.

Fig 23: Adjusting Procedure Of Right Upper Tailgate Latch
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Lower the tailgate. Make sure the right tailgate upper latch alignment marks (A) are at equal positions, then torque the right tailgate upper latch bolts and the right tailgate upper striker screws.

Fig 24: Right Tailgate Upper Latch Bolts And Right Tailgate Upper Striker Screws With Torque Specifications
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
With navigation system: Reconnect the tailgate wire harness connector, and reinstall the harness clips into place securely.
Loosely install the tailgate trim panel, and check the dual-mode tailgate operation.
Check the dual-mode tailgate operation.
NOTE: When closing the tailgate from the lowered position, apply a slow steady pressure to the top, center of the tailgate. Be sure that both the left and right latches close simultaneously. If they latch independently, and the tailgate is not fully latched, the tailgate may not open in swing mode.
Install the tailgate trim panel (see TAILGATE TRIM PANEL REMOVAL/INSTALLATION ).
Check tailgate switch operation (see TAILGATE SWITCH TEST/REPLACEMENT/ADJUSTMENT ).
Reinstall the taillights (see TAILLIGHT REPLACEMENT ).
Reinstall the rear bumper (see REAR BUMPER REMOVAL/INSTALLATION ).