DIY: Rear Hatch Handle Replacement

[Joh03342]

This post helped a ton diagnosing and replacing my hatch handle on the MO I just bought. My handle looked similar to yours but more rust/junk on metal. Thank you for your awesome post!

KJ

[evjm]

No problem! I'm glad it helped!

[Bobino]

Originally Posted by evjm

The part number is on my first post. I think I bought it at Courtesy Parts, I'm in Canada and didn't get hit at the border for it. Make sure it gets sent USPS. UPS has the huge fees at the border.

I can't find that part number, can you give it again please. Also, any advice on where to buy it at good price in Canada ?

Thanks

[kobayashi maru]

Nice writeup! I bought an '04 SL a few weeks ago and had the sticky rear latch issue too. I pulled the handle out and tried everything to get the gunk and rust off... wire brush, frame wire, PB Blaster, Liquid Wrench, Evapo-Rust, Dremel... nothing worked (though it did look cleaner). I was about to give up and order the part.

As a last resort I stood the handle assembly on it's side with one end of the hinge pin on the garage floor and tapped the other end of the pin with a hammer. Voila! Instant fix! Sprayed some silicone lubricant and it was good to go. Give this a try before ordering a new part!