W203 estate tailgate striker/hoop loose

[fredT]

Tha hoop thing that the tailgate catches on is very loose on my car, how do I get to the bolts holding it? I've removed the 4 screws holding the surrounding trim but it won't budge and even if it did, is that the right way to go about it?

Thanks

 

[brucemillar]

If think you mean the bit on the boot floor?

If yes then you need to take out the spare wheel/boot floor panel. Look along the inside edge of the stainless cover plate and you should see some screws holding that down (I think 4 screws) remove these then pry the cover plate up with a scre driver. You dont have to remove it completely - just enough to give you access to the two screws that hold the locking hoop down.

Try and get the hoop nice and square when you re-tighten it. That is the adjustment for the tailgate position.

 

[fredT]

Yes the bit on the boot floor. OK that's pretty much where I got to, I suppose you need a fair bit of force to pry it off? I had a fair tug at it but wouldn't budge, gonna go and go at it with a screwdriver then!

Thanks!

 

[fredT]

Sorted, thanks!