Rear Hatch Adjustment

[kluisi]

I just had a heck of a time trying to get the rear hatch opened on my 2008 Honda Pilot. It seems to lock and unlock correctly as I have removed the circular access cover on the inside and I can see all of the parts moving. However, the door does not open from the outside when you pull on the handle. I have found a reasonable work around where the door seems to open reliably when I push on it while I work the handle, then pull on it to open after it unlatches.

I assume that it just needs a little adjustment to either the latch or the loop catch to make it looser, but I do not know what I am doing to make that adjustment. The car is out of warranty (obviously) so I do not want to take it somewhere and pay for service unless I have to. Does anyone know how to adjust the parts to make them work a little better. Pics or a diagram would be an awesome help.

[kluisi]

Anyone know?

[samc]

Do you think the release hatch is not fully disengaging? Check the lock for any wear marks. Perhaps it just needs some white lithium grease.

[kluisi]

Originally Posted by samc

Do you think the release hatch is not fully disengaging? Check the lock for any wear marks. Perhaps it just needs some white lithium grease.

Thanks for the reply. I tried the lithium grease today and the hatch is still not working correctly. I am not sure if it is not fully disengaging or not. When I pull on the handle I hear the mechanism working and the hatch starts to move but gets caught before opening (I hear a metallic thud when it stops). The only way to get it to work is to fully close it again and then push in on the door while working the handle then pull on the door to open it.