Honda 8-97086-559-1 Panel, Tailgate

At the tailgate end of Passports and Rodeos, find the places where the torque rod connects to the car. Open the tailgate, slide under, and unbolt the components before taking the torque rod out. Take off the tailgate trim panel, detach all electrical connectors connected to the tailgate, and wrap sheets or cloths around the lower bumper area below the opening to stop paint damage when you remove the tailgate. Take off the door opening's ties for the tailgate support cables, easily removed by unscrewing their bolts. The assistant holds the tailgate up, while using a wrench to fit the bolts into the hinge-to-tailgate joints, and the process works in the reverse order. You fix tailgate alignment by taking out the hinge body or tailgate bolts, moving the gate until the top matches the rear quarter panel, and putting body alignment shims behind the hinges if needed. To align the tailgate closed position, make sure its latch matches the middle of the strike plate, and add or take out shims to reach the right alignment. Last, make sure the lip that holds the latch works correctly by adjusting the latch holder until everything fits right and the tailgate matches the car's curve.