Tailgate Adjustment

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2013 Honda Fit, 2012 Honda Fit, 2011 Honda Fit, 2010 Honda Fit, and 2009 Honda Fit. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

NOTE:

Have an assistant help you when adjusting the tailgate.
Take care not to scratch the tailgate, the body or other related parts.
Put on gloves to protect your hands.
The sealer around the hinges will crack when you adjust the tailgate. Apply new body seam sealer as needed to fill the cracks.

Remove these items:
- Rear door inner seal, as needed (see step 3 on TRIM REMOVAL/INSTALLATION - PILLAR AREAS )
- Tailgate weatherstrip, as needed (see TAILGATE WEATHERSTRIP REPLACEMENT )
- Cargo area side trim panel, as needed (see TRIM REMOVAL/INSTALLATION - REAR SIDE AREA )
- Quarter pillar trim, both side (see QUARTER PILLAR TRIM )
- Ceiling light (see CEILING LIGHT TEST/REPLACEMENT )
- Rear grab handles (see GRAB HANDLE REMOVAL/INSTALLATION )
Pull down the rear portion of the headliner (see HEADLINER REMOVAL/INSTALLATION ). Take care not to bend the headliner excessively.
Remove the tailgate support strut from each side (see TAILGATE SUPPORT STRUT REPLACEMENT ).
Slightly loosen each nut.
Adjust the tailgate (A) alignment in the following sequence:
- Adjust the tailgate hinges (B) right and left, using the elongated holes.
- Turn the tailgate edge cushions (C), in or out as necessary, to make the tailgate fit flush with the body at the side edges.
- Adjust the fit between the tailgate and tailgate opening by moving the striker (D), and adjust the striker right or left until it is centered in the tailgate latch (E).
Tighten each nut securely.
Check that the tailgate opens properly and locks securely.
Reinstall the support struts securely.
Apply new body seam sealer into the cracks in the sealed area (A) around the tailgate hinge (B), and let the sealer dry.

Fig 2: Identifying Body Seam Sealer Applying Area Around Tailgate Hinge
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Apply touch-up paint to the hinge mounting bolts and around the hinges.
Apply multipurpose grease to the pivot portion of the tailgate hinges as indicated by the arrows.
Check for water leaks (see step 8 on DOOR POSITION ADJUSTMENT ).
Reinstall all of the removed parts.